Jack London Inn, Oakland

This place appreared to house a bunch of folks who just got out of prison. Not towels, no hair dryer, dirty everywhere and cigarette butts in the hallway. Eventhough parking was free, when we arrived late one night and the lot was full, the front desk person said "parking is on a first come first serve basis. You're best bet is to park in the street." You're kidding me! There was a dog next door of my room barking all day. The place just smelled dirty.

I have to stay here frequently bcause my company doesn't like to spend any more than they have to. This hotel has a bad habit of not leaving any towels in the rooms. The last time I tried to call the front desk to get someone to bring them to the room, the phone didn't work. When I went to the front desk to request towels I was assured they would arrive shortly. When I ended up running out of time to get ready for work, I rinsed my hair under the faucet and dryed it with a clean tee shirt. Also beware, the sheets are not changed after each visit. I have started bringing my own top sheet to lay over the bed and my own pillow so I wont have to sleep where some one else has been not to long before I get there.

My family is having a reunion in Oakland so this was the Hotel we chose and I must say we have never felt so welcolmed. The hotel is a bit old and looks like it needs some serious up grades but...how many hotels do you meet the Gerneral Manager. There was a lot of us there and he took the time to welcolme all of us, tell us of all the local attractions and how to get there. The girl at the front desk was just as helpful. That night we came down to the lobby to ask where to get a nice drink and the new girl at the counter was also so aware of the spots in the area to visit. All in our party was so impressed at the care they seem to give everyone there, it feels so warm and real. The rooms are larger than most hotels me and my husband have ever stayed at and there is the matter of the trains but, all in all, this hotel made our reunion in Oakland a great choice and I will be suggestion to our family we do it the same place next year. Even if we chose another state my husband and I will come back to this area and specially this hotel. You gotta meet the manager and the staff. They are so much fun. Our families are all over the country and access to this hotel from the airport is so easy. We will be back.

my room had no air/no heat. My windows didn't open. The Amtrak ran all night and with every passing train there was a whistle that blew. In my students room the bed was held up by 3 yellow pages books. One elevator worked all weekend. When we called for towels they never came, said that they didn't have anymore. All rooms smelt like smoke. There is a pool but the it had no water. Would never ever stay there again.

Saw some neutral reviews, and in a rush, booked this hotel. The first night was ok, but a bit loud with the bikes outside after midnight. That didn't seem to be the hotels fault, so no problem there. Came back next day after a nice trip to San Francisco through the ferry, and found no towels in the bathroom... thinking it was a fluke, the lady started to take a long shower while I called the front desk. Called again after 15 min. and was told at any minute now... 15 minutes later I went downstairs and by coincidence met the front desk telling another customer the manager's name and number, as she was not very happy with the stay. I was told he couldn't do anything because I had to wait for housekeeping to come to my room, and the towels were locked up. wow... 2 hrs and two trips to the front desk later, the attendant gave me a room key to an unoccupied room so I can get that room's towels... what do you know, no towels. Just stay away from this one...

I've stayed here before and I will stay again. This place is the friendliest away from home place I have ever visited. Every visit I notice something new and interesting. Since new management (quite a pleasant bunch)has taken over, my visits have become more and more enjoyable. Everyone I meet here seems to care. It feels warm. I even stay here and take the ferry across the Bay when I visit San Francisco. I can walk to the best restaurants or just enjoy the hotels, for that matter, everything to do like clubs, pool, movies is all a short walk...never do I need a car. At first the trains are different but you get used to them.

We stayed at the Inn for the Sailboat show this year and plan on returning. The hotel is a little old and there is a lot of train noise, but after a couple trains we didn't even notice. The staff was very responsive and helped us find Yoshi's a great place to eat. We took the ferry over to San Francisco and took the cable car and the subway back. Overall a great trip.

My family and I stayed at the hotel last weekend and had the most awful experience for a hotel located at Jack London Square. Didn't expect much, but that was ridiculous. While taking a shower, our tub filled up with water and drained slowly. Called down to front desk who said someone would be called to fix the problem, but when we returned at from a day in San Francisco, no one had been up to the room or called I'm assuming. When we mentioned this, we were told by the woman at the front desk to use the shower in the other room we had? Why am I paying to use someone else's shower? Also, there was no parking available on Saturday night for the guests because of party held in there. Shouldn't those people and their guests be parking else where since it was supposed to end at 10p? And to top it off, the other room we were told to go to for a shower had plumbing issues - toilet wouldn't flush Saturday or Sunday. Between all this, a view of a nasty looking pool, wall paper peeling and chipped tubs, I was completely embarrassed that I recommended my family to stay there and I'm sure Jack London would be embarrassed to have his name on such an establishment.

I worked in Oakland for a week, but my workweek was cut short. I tried to cancel the remainder 2 days on Tuesday afternoon but Motel refused. I arrived Sunday and left Wednesday morning, and was charged for 2 rooms for Wed and Thur night ($320!) without me being there. I'm sure the rooms were re-rented. BAD Customer Service. I'll never go back.

The inn is well priced, clean, and very close to the water and to downtown Oakland. It is a short ten minute walk to the Oakland Convention Center. I stayed at the Jack London while I took the bar exam. The stay was almost a week. I was a little concerned because some reports spoke of the train noise and I didn't wish to stay up all night with trains going by. But I also didn't wish to be in a stressed- out-bar-exam hotel, and at almost half the price of the downtown convention-type hotels, I gave it a try... and I'm really glad I did. The hotel is within a half block of the waterfront with a great farmers' market on weekends. Moderately priced in-and-out restaurants are close if you need them, and I found a couple of "great food" facilities too. The train noises are there as Amtrak runs right in front of the hotel. I'm not a light sleeper but I requested -- and got -- a rear room and the noise wasn't a problem. Hotel could use some renovations but for the price, I was not disappointed. Staff treated me like a VIP -- but then again I wasn't demanding -- extra coffee packets, minimal room service, and direct me to where I can get some quick food. Although most of the time it was all business, I did linger for a free blues concert down the street one evening. I loved the place and the stay. It has character and a small town inn atmosphere. I'm going back again. This is a well-kept secret as a place to stay for the California bar exam.