08/26/08

Best Brunch

by MissGB

I went for Mother's Day Sunday Brunch in 2006 and it was and still is the best buffet bruch I have ever been to! So much selection of truly fine foods

01/27/08

Worst Service Ever...Ended Up in Emergency Room

by RubyLovely

I went to get a facial and to wax my upper lip. The esthetician did not know what she was doing and gave me first degree burns on my upper lip. I was concerned my upper lip would be SCARRED. I spent the next day in the Emergency Room to treat the burns. I ended up walking around with a big red scab across my upper lip for a week.

My appointment was on 12/20/07 and I was promised a "refund" for this inconvenience. Now it is 1/27/08 and I have been calling them every week to find out when my refund would be posted and they keep claiming the refund was posted already in a batch. I have yet to get my money back.

Go at your own risk!

08/12/07

Great massge, worst customer service

by vivo2

While the mausseuses are excellent and really deliver top notch massage services, the decor is looking pretty dated and downright shabby in places and the desk and reservation staff are next to useless.

My stress level goes up every time I try to check in for a service. The desk staff seem to have hearing or spelling problems and while the entire tone of the experience should start at the door, I find myself girding for what is worse experience than checking in for an airline flight. They seem to take forever to find me, ask for the spelling of a very simple five letter last name repeated times. and then are very officious about the credit card that you had to leave to make the reservation, and they would be all too quick to charge if I were a no-show, "We need to swipe your card." It's bad enough that I've complained to management but they persist in their very unwelcoming policies. The staff is also snotty, as if working at a spa confirms some special status.

11/10/06

A whole new world just miles away

by jdawn

Always up for a hunt to discover a great spa, I took advice on visiting Claremont. The architecture has seen better days, but the pros send the cons far out of sight. I've enjoyed their "Journey" massages enough to give them as gifts, and the Tibetan Sound massage...Mmm. I don't usually nap during treatments (and the room was ridiculously bright) and I was skeptical, but I went into a deep trance and came out to a relaxed clarity; smooth w/a chill happiness. I recommend booking an afternoon journey. Marinate in the offerings of a chill getaway thats 10 minutes away from the city. Spend the day building for the reward; explore the workout facilities(gym, tennis, and a couple of pools), use a shower in the spa, take a bath overlooking the city, taste the restaurants on sight, and of course the treatment. Take many deep breaths and indulge all of the senses b/c they will all be catered to. Whatever you want, tell them, like all great spas, they will oblidge.

• Pros: pools, "journey" massages
• Cons: old building

07/25/06

Gorgeous property, terrible service

by bolleworld

The property is gorgeous. However, the service at the front desk and in the gift shop is atrocious. As a seasoned traveler, it's been a long time since I've encountered such lazy, insolent workers. A shame, because the hotel really is nice.

08/14/03

Live the privileged life at this posh resort that offers a full-service spa and plenty of recreational activities.

by Contributor

The Scene
Located in the hills just a couple of miles from downtown Berkeley, this ritzy spot feels worlds removed from the Bay Area rat race. During the week, business executives escape to the resort's secluded setting, which offers great views of the San Francisco skyline. The hotel also attracts locals looking for a romantic weekend stay in large, plush rooms and a trip to the full-service spa.

The Details
The hotel offers guests a number of fitness options, including a massive health club, 10 tennis courts and two outdoor lap pools. Those in the mood to be pampered can reserve a massage, hydrotherapy session or body wrap at the spa. The hotel has three on-site restaurants with grand bay views. Hotel accommodations are roomy, elegant and modern, each with its own sitting area and spa tub. Amenities include CD and DVD players, complimentary Internet access and fluffy bathrobes.

06/10/03

Poor service, nice views

by bhazelrigg

For $525 spa/room package, I expected better service. Front desk staff were extremely slow and unfriendly .. on multiple occasions. Fitness Center staff were not very welcoming of hotel guests which I couldn't quite figure out and acted reluctant to book tennis courts despite it being included. We were also told to use the bathroom in the hotel lobby if we were playing tennis ... not exactly nearby ... despite there being a working bathroom in the Fitness Center. Overall, very disappointed.

• Pros: Great views, Easy Parking, Nice Spa staff
• Cons: Unfriendly hotelstaff, Expensive

10/25/02

East Bay ecstasy

by kaukini

Take it from a SF native...If you're looking for a great Day Spa just outside the City, try The Claremont. Only minutes from the Bay Bridge, you can lose yourself in true ecstasy. I purchased the Classic package --- a wonderful value. Don't pass up the meal card at the Bayview and dine poolside (in your robe) with fantasic views from the Berkeley hills. Enjoy!!!

• Pros: fantastic spa service, validated parking, friendly staff
• Cons: no resident rates