Stayed here on President's Day weekend....had a 50% off Living Social discount...absolutely wonderful stay ....this is a Julia Morgan architectural masterpiece that was built 82 years ago. Staff was super friendly...accommodations were comfortable ....renovated indoor pool was 82 degrees warm...and did I mention the complimentary full breakfast! This was a truly memorable stay at an historic property in the heart of downtown Berkeley ....highly recommended. read more

We held our wedding reception here in July 2016 and couldn't have been happier. We were seeking someplace with elegance and character. Of course, there are many such places in the Bay Area, but we found the BCC to be much better value than some of the first places we looked. Pros: -So many beautiful spaces, from the ballroom where we held the reception, to the members' lounge where we had cocktail hour, to the courtyard where we did the first look. -We loved the history of the building (Julia Morgan, Berkeley Women's Club...) We attempted to work with all female vendors, and so the BCC was a delight -Sarah was a delight to work with. She was very flexible with our needs--we changed the guest list up to the very last minute -The bridal suite had amazing views of the Bay, for memorably watching the sun set together on our wedding night after our daytime wedding. BCC gave us one free night stay in the bridal suite. All our relatives could stay on-site, which was wonderful and also convenient. -The restaurant, Julia's, was ideal for a small dinner with the two families a couple nights before the wedding and for a morning-after breakfast with the guests staying on-site -Alaun the chef produced wonderful food for every part of the wedding (appetizers, meals, desserts, late-afternoon snack), and was flexible in making some substitutions to accommodate us Cons: -We were not impressed with the place where we could have held the ceremony on-site ("Terrace"). It's a second-floor patio above the parking lot with considerable street noise and (at the time we first visited) an ugly metal-and-canvas awning (which at the time of our wedding had been covered underneath with white cloths that looked much less hideous. We ended up having our ceremony in another place that we loved and bused guests back and forth. Even though we'd initially been looking for one place to do both the wedding and reception, the wedding venue and reception venue were both beautiful so in the end it was the best of both worlds. -We would have liked to have had our photo taken by the swimming pool but since there was someone swimming there that day they wouldn't let us. Not the end of the world but it was something we'd been looking forward to. The photos we'd seen online of bride and groom by the pool are stunning. Check in advance about this! -Unpredictable wifi in the rooms (the building is old!). Of course as bride and groom this was the last thing on our minds, and we have 4G anyway. But some of our guests noticed. -Parking was limited to guests only, which meant that some of our vendors had to find street parking (e.g. the make-up artist at 5:30 am) All in all, we were thrilled with the BCC and recommend it highly! read more

No wonder this place was deemed Lonely Planet's "top pick" for places to stay in Berkeley! It's architecturally gorgeous, offers charming rooms with great views, and has good prices. Most impressive, though, is the knowledgable, inclusive, friendly atmosphere the staff provides. In particular, Trevor (one of the managers) gave my family and me a history-filled tour of the Club! His enthusiasm and appreciation for the Club's aesthetics and unique role in Easy Bay architectural history is surely unmatched by even most docents! The Club will always be at the top of my list for places to stay! read more

Five of us made an 11:30 reservation for lunch today. We had the worst dining experience ever. Took 30 minutes after being seated to get water in our glasses. We had to ask for bread and butter for the table. 5 people and 1 pat of butter! Our meals were finally served one hour after we sat down to the table. We all had the steak-frites. One order was sent back since it was rarer than my rare steak and she had ordered medium rare. We had to ask for salt and pepper to be brought to the table and for more water in our glasses. There appeared to be enough staff to accomodate the dining room. We had planned on a lovely lunch before the 1pm lecture in the Club. However, we barely could get the check even though we had told our wait person we had the 1pm lecture to attend. When the check arrived, it was incorrect. Instead of 3 glasses of wine, the bill had three bottles of wine. We paid the bill and left since there was no manager available to speak with. Last year we had lunch at Julia's and it was so pleasant and the staff was attentive and knew what was needed to keep their patrons happy. So disappointed. I have never written a bad review, but today's lunch experience left me little choice. I will be calling the City Club tomorrow to express these thoughts as well. If I could have given no stars, I would have. read more

My daughter and I stayed at the Berkeley City Club for two nights while we were checking out UC Berkeley. The Berkeley City Club is walking distance close to UC Berkeley, which is great since parking is difficult. The architecture of the Berkeley City Club is amazing. We felt like we had gone back in time to the 1930's. The music playing in the hotel is from the 1920's and 1930's. We loved it. But is not for everyone, if you like big chain hotels the Berkeley City Club is not for you. There is a TV on the main floor and a computer for guest use. There is wi-fi connection we accessed in our room. The complementary breakfast was fast, healthy, and good. The warm scones were perfect. read more

I am writing to give a huge thank you to Heather Ratner. COVID has made traveling increasing complicated. When I booked my stay, I was very concerned about logistics and safety. Heather was so patient and understanding; it felt like she was working out my plans with me and I left that phone call feeling reassured and extremely confident in my decision to stay at the Berkeley City Club. Unfortunately, the day before I was supposed to arrive, I found out that my flight had been canceled due to COVID concerns. I called the hotel, and didn't know what to expect but, once again, the phone was answered by Heather and she provided the same stellar and understanding service. Although plans were unfortunately changed, my interactions with this hotel has made it my first pick for any travel to the Bay Area. I'm now a loyal fan and look forward to staying here and seeing the amazing architecture in person when travel conditions are a bit more stable. Thank you Heather and team for all of your thoughtfulness. The experience with your hotel was a silver lining to an otherwise frustrating situation and I truly appreciate the kindness. read more

This place is cute! I've only ever been upstairs in their great hall, but it seems old-school-classy. I like their hors d'oeuvres and service, and their cute little powder room too. Not sure what their other staff is like in planning events, but I haven't personally interacted with them. read more

As an event planner I have worked at many different venues. Berkeley City Club is by far my absolute favorite!! We all know that the actual venue speaks for itself, but the staff at BCC is what makes the experience amazing. Any couple looking to book their wedding or group looking for a venue for their event in the area should drop everything and talk to Ellyn or Sandy about their event. Never have I worked with event managers at another venue that make the clients wants and needs more of a priority. They will make sure that everything leading up to your special day is in order. And the staff working the events is phenomenal!! Call Ellyn. Get the amazing service you are looking for when you're planning your event!! read more

Loved the City Club! What a beautiful venue! We took our son up to Cal for his Freshman move-in, so we wanted to be close to campus. We were able to walk to campus, restaurants, stores and everything is close if you want to drive. The rooms are quaint and small, so be ready for that. But they all have windows that open, with no screens - so lots of fresh air and we liked that. WiFi is almost non-existent on floors above the 3rd and no TV's in any of the rooms. We loved the rich history of the building and the close proximity to Cal. Easily walkable. The best price for being so close to Cal. Enjoy! read more

They say they have free wi-fi. Yes, if you want to sit in the elevator lobby! Website says parking is $8, they charged us $12. Couldn't adjust the heat in the room, so we didn't sleep well. read more

Gorgeous Julia Morgan Architecture. From the minute you enter the building to the time you leave your surrounded with history, Gothic art. We had such a great stay. Had a room on the West side of the Building with a view of San Francisco. Just steps from the UC Berkeley campus what a wonderful place for an early morning walk. The hotel staff were all very friendly. Had a Living Social voucher but will stay again and this time enjoy the restaurant and the beautiful pool. If you have been to Hearst Castle and loved the Architect then Berkeley City Club is a must see. If you are looking for a venue to hold a wedding and want to feel like a queen for the day this is your place. Breakfast that they provide to all the guest was very simple but enough, oatmeal, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, fresh baked goods. Coffee and Tea and fruit juices..... read more

went to a beautiful wedding last saturday....the city club is a wonderful venue. designed by julia morgan who also designed the san francisco zen center..formally the jewish womens club on page street..similar interiors..and structure.. read more

Hi, we had fantastic experience at the restaurant today. Jade, our server was exceptional in her professionalism!

We saw a great play here, the building is beautiful, but the volunteer staff for the plays are not always the friendliest.

You know those aged hotels that are renovated and brought up to date with that old school look but modern amenities? This is not one, this one is just aged. The building itself is really cool, filled with history and fun to explore, an architectural wonder so far as I know... but the rooms for overnight stay are... uncomfortable. Not bad per se, but strange. Very small with old and creaky EVERYTHING... no tv (not a problem, but wanted to point it out), small bathroom, unbelievably thin doors and walls, plus you can see into the rooms through the old school keyholes in the doors. The building is cool and the price is right, but I won't be back if I have a better budget set up. read more

This place was absolutely amazing!! The service was excellent and I loved how you had access to the entire hotel to look around. It was also really fun that the hotel stayed very much to the period in which it was built in 1930. There is a complimentary breakfast and it was in a beautiful room with white linen tables and gorgeous floral arrangements. The rooms were gorgeous!! However, if you can't stand to be away from television for a night then don't go there. That is actually why I loved the place so much because there were no tv's in the rooms. read more

My (now) husband and I stayed here the night we got married. It's beautiful and historic. Our room was stunning with a great view. Thanks to all of the Berkeley City Club's staff, this will be a memory we have forever. Hope to stay again soon! read more

Stayed at the Berkeley City Club during a recent visit to Berkeley for a mini getaway with my hubby. This place is amazing! Excellent service from the hotel staff, very friendly and very helpful. I absolutely loved everything about my stay. The room was absolutely beautiful and so comfortable. The Hotel is a historical landmark and a must see. Located within walking distance to UC Berkeley, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping on Telegragh St. I cannot say enough about this hotel, I have stayed at many but this really tops them all. I am already making plans for my next stay at this new found gem! read more

If you love history. If you love Julia Morgan. You will love the Berkeley City Club. If your heart's desire is to live like a king or queen, the Berkeley City Club is your getaway kingdom. Originally a women's-only club, it has been painstakingly restored and is now part of Historic Hotels of America. Not today's boutique, the BCC is all about quiet elegance of bygone times. With a Julia Morgan design, affectionately known as "The Little Castle," it's the closest you'll ever come to a night at her legendary Hearst Castle. Only members and guests can indulge in the indoor heated swimming pool, reminiscent of the bigger castle's famous Roman Pool. Guest rooms are cozy and TV-free, while common areas beckon you to unwind and garden courtyards offer meditative space. Bring a good book. A good friend. A lover. Come solo. Check online for special events and theatrical productions performed at the Club. The rate includes breakfast and it's a great location! Just blocks for Shattuck, Telegraph, and UC Berkeley campus. WI-FI spots throughout. Coffee and tea in the lobby. Lunch and dinner is now served Tuesday - Saturday at Julia's. This is a one-of-a-kind. Leave your notions of modern hotels behind. There are some larger suites but hotel rooms are of that era -- smaller but big enough. Julia never intended you to spend time in the room. It was all about the public spaces and gardens. The exquisite tile work in bathrooms, the pool. garden courtyards -- sensory overload. Tiny architectural details everywhere you look -- spend some time exploring. It's what Julia would want. Prices are very reasonable by Bay Area standards. read more

We wanted to hold our wedding somewhere historic, conveniently located, and affordable, and got all of that in spades at the Berkeley City Club. The "Little Castle," as it's called, is classically beautiful and just begging to be photographed, with its Gothic/Moorish architecture and 1930s-style decor. And it's right in downtown Berkeley, minutes away from BART, campus, and a bunch of hotels, restaurants, and bars. The best part is that we had a fabulous experience working with Ashley, the events manager. She was friendly, helpful, and super responsive to our many, many questions and requests. On the day of, the food, wine, ambiance, and service got rave reviews all around. We loved hosting our special day here, think it's a great deal for the price, and hope to visit often. read more

Ohhhh, if those walls could talk I'm sure they could shar hundreds of stories of visitors past. Every January I attend an event on the second floor of this gorgeous building. Every time I walk in I'm in awe of the ceilings, ground floor atrium, the beautiful swimming pool and all the hallways. There is just a magical vibe when visiting and every time I visit, I see a new exquisite detail that makes me fall in love all over again. read more

Stayed here recently...What a lovely hotel! My room reminded me of staying at my great-grandmother's house in Missouri and made me realize how much I miss her! The hotel was designed by Julia Morgan and has great character! Old charm, which I love! I will return in the future for another personal retreat! read more

I went to the Berkeley city club last Saturday for the Art Deco Preservation Ball. My time there was great. The staff was always around to ask if I wanted a drink or something to drink. The manager Crystal, was also running around making sure the staff were doing everything they were suppose to and the volunteers had everything they needed also. read more

Beautiful historic hotel. Service is friendly and efficient. "Heads" up, vintage bathrooms - so don't go expect anything butt - and evidently they had much smaller ones back then. Really enjoyed my stay, will definitely be back. Thank you to the management and staff. read more

I've been to two scholarship events here, and they were both fun, seemed to go off without a hitch and were in remarkable spaces. There was good food, a great stage and nice acoustics. It was fun to wander around the building, appreciate the gorgeous architecture, take pictures and spend time with friends and family on the huge covered deck that's basically an outdoor room. This is a really lovely space. read more

I'm obviously having trouble figuring out San francisco... We had reservations for half seven and were five minutes delayed (but in the club and everyone knew I was there) yet the kitchen and dining room was empty. The food once prepared was quite fabulous but i just don't get why I'm having issues with timing here! Also read more

Our event was GREAT, ELLYN does an Amazing job at following through and making sure to address all the details. We were pleased with our Event and the BEAUTIFUL Location. Only downer is the parking is TERRIBLE!!!! read more

We are glad we chose the BCC as our wedding venue. It's absolutely stunning and the service is great. We got to work with Sandy and then Sandra, both venue managers were a true pleasure to work with. The event went really smooth, thanks to the BCC and our wedding coordinator that the venue required us to hire (which was probably the best idea of all). The food was excellent, all file mignons were cooked perfectly, the risotto tasted delicious, the personnel was efficient and almost invisible. Our videographers told us that this venue was the best venue they've ever worked at. That was such a delight to hear!! Loved this place and everything about it! Very Julia Morgan read more

We had our wedding and reception at the Berkeley City Club (BCC) in April 2016, and stayed in their hotel rooms that weekend. We had a wonderful wedding experience with the BCC, and highly recommend them! Our wedding planning process with the BCC started around a year in advance after we toured the space and fell in love with it. Sarah was our point of contact for most of the process, and she was great to work with: she was always super responsive and helpful (even when I barraged her with long lists of questions by email), did a great job, and seemed genuinely interested in making sure we had a great wedding experience. The planning process was fairly painless and was mostly handled by email, though we visited in person a few times for tours, tastings, and vendor walkthroughs. Note that the BCC requires couples to hire a day-of coordinator for weddings, but that ended up being a blessing (the coordinator was a big help). The BCC's prices also compared really favorably with other places we looked (still expensive, but so is everything nice in the Bay). Our wedding turned out incredibly well, and we got so many compliments about how everything looked -- including the BCC's beautiful spaces! We did portrait sessions all over the building (including the pool in the basement!) and had our "first look" in the courtyard. We held the ceremony on the covered, open-air Terrace, which was a great spot, especially after the BCC added white draping to the ceiling at some point (pro-tip: add sheer draping to the back of the Terrace to block out views of the parking lot and free clinic). Our cocktail hour was in the Member's Lounge (a super-cool room -- great place for portraits as well), and our reception was in the Ballroom. The Ballroom was a great size for our ~110 guests (plenty of room for dancing!) and was a great reception space -- especially once we added a few subtle uplights and replaced the default chairs (which aren't the best) with rental chiavari chairs. We mostly stuck with the BCC-provided plates and linens, though we added a few extra things (rental napkins). And all of the food we had was great! We were worried at first about being locked in to the BCC's food service (no outside caterers allowed), but it was all super tasty, and the service was great throughout the evening. The hotel experience at the BCC was also nice and full of vintage charm. I can't speak to how the other rooms were, but the two suites I saw (including the wedding suite) were spacious and had fantastic views of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges! The building itself is also full of great touches -- especially the magical pool in the basement. That said, the hotel won't be a perfect fit for everyone: the rooms and furniture can be a bit worn out in places, the rooms don't have TVs (a concern for some of our guests), the elevator broke while we were there, it was tough for guests to request rooms with our block, and the hotel parking lot fills up quickly. But if those things aren't deal breakers for you, the hotel experience at the BCC can be a special one. Overall, we were really happy with the Berkeley City Club for our wedding venue. We had the wedding of our dreams, and we can't imagine having had it anywhere else! read more

See all

Gem of a find - all these years I walked by without going inside!! Do you like architecture? History? This is a great way to see Julia Morgan and soak up some of Berkeley's past - stop by for happy hour!! read more

Great midweek rate ($120) with full breakfast. Room 611 was lovely and clean. Not many electrical outlets, for those of us that want to charge phones and computers. Gorgeous building, lovely sitting areas, will definitely go back. read more

My boyfriend and I went here for a mini overnight visit via groupon. I loved the architecture of the place. Our room was small and I liked that there was no television, although others may not. They had a wonderful view out the window and a balcony at the end of the hall with an even better view. Our room was very cold but we found a space heater in the closet. If you are into old buildings and history this is a great place to stay but if you want a luxury hotel with complete modern amenities I would not suggest this one. It is cute and romantic. The breakfast buffet that was there was also much better than the ordinary breakfast buffet and I loved that there were healthy options as well! Right near telegraph so it isn't a far walk to get to the main strip. read more

We held our wedding reception here last week and it was simply amazing! Event Manager Sarah Williams was very available to us and quickly answered my many questions. The space is beautiful and provides a little bit of something for everyone during a big wedding. Case in point - while 75 of us were rocking to David Martin's House Party on the dance floor, another 50 were out enjoying the Terrace and a few of our quieter guests were savoring the antique furniture and books in the members lounge. The food was excellent and came out right on time. We only wish there wasn't an 11pm stop time as the dance floor was still rocking until then end. read more

Great location, really neat building. The rooms are spartan - basic and clean. Painted cement floors with area rugs.

My husband and I recently spent three nights and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We had a small room on the sixth floor with a fantastic view of the bay. We swam daily in the beautiful pool, and enjoyed exploring the property, including meeting one of the four remaining residents of the club. The bed was comfortable, and the shower worked well. I loved that the bathroom and bedroom windows opened wide. We'll go back for sure! read more

The Berkeley City Club is nothing but chock-a-block charm. The building makes you feel like you have been transported to another more elegant time. Each room is distinct and beautiful, and the courtyards sprinkled throughout the building are these gorgeous little oases. I was in the unexpected situation of having to plan a wedding at the last minute and Christina, the event planner, was like a superhero tending to every last detail and helping to usher me through a very stressful period of time. The way everything came together was like something out of a fairy tale. This was a wedding planned in two weeks yet I can't tell you how many guests came up to me and told me it was the most beautiful event they'd ever been to. It was so nice not to have to travel from our ceremony in the mini-paradise of the courtyard to our reception in the castle-like Drawing Room. The food was delicious and our stay in their amazing suite was like being in European hotel in the 30s. And what a view! In short, the BCC and especially Christina made my wedding the most amazing thing, and I could not be more grateful. I give it my very highest recommendation. read more

This place is delightful. My husband and I find ourselves here because of a Groupon. The building is from the 20s, a former women's club, designed by a female architect. Very charming and centrally located. The rooms are simple and small but entirely suitable--clean, cute and with a spectacular view of the whole Bay area. We'd happily recommend this place to others. That said, one disclaimer: The shower head in our room, room 605, was mounted at about 5'. I laughed and washed my hair on my knees. However, I was trying to image traveling with my parents in their 60s--both would have had a hard time managing that. (Plus, all that up and down definitely increases the likelihood of slipping). Worth asking about if you expect this may be an issue for you. And breakfast is perfectly fine. Nothing amazing, but suitable and the room is lovely. Off to eat my fruit, yogurt and granola. read more

We had an amazing stay this weekend at this hotel. It is a beautiful building and the smalls (while a bit small) are very charming. The hotel's architecture is wonderful and it's really fun to explore the hotel's history. Breakfast is included and was very yummy, and the staff was all very friendly. The hotel is located within walking distance to both Telegraph Ave and Shattuck Ave (the two most "happening" streets in Berkeley). read more

Excellent hotel! Very close to BART and shopping areas. Only a few blocks from UC Berkeley. Public transit is basically right outside the hotel. Staff is friendly and courteous. Best thing was that breakfast was included! For cheap rate ($89/nt) go here: http://livingsoci.al/10dexag read more

I'm commenting on the restaurant only, since we did not stay at the hotel. The food was excellent: we had a goat cheese crostini with peaches for an appetizer, I had rack of lamb and my wife salmon, both very substantial with great sauces etc. The chocolate ganache, which I love in general, was one of the best I've ever had, if not the best, and the panna cota (strawberries and rhubarb) had an extremely inventive basil-mint sauce that was also excellent. The building was beautiful; service excellent and the price actually quite reasonable; the bill was just over $100 for the two of us. read more