DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina, Berkeley

Hotel is very average, location is beautiful, but very average rooms no vents in bathrooms. First they charge for WIFI in rooms them they charge for each device that needs WIFI, so if 3 laptops, 3 IPhones adds up very fast at $9.95 per device per 24 hr period, room rates at around $200 per night is not cheap. Restaurant is outrageously priced paid around $ 80.00 for 4 peoples breakfast with an average menu. So all in all end of the trip when I saw the bill left a sour taste in my mouth, will think before returning.

My company has put me up in this hotel three times now, and I am now going to INSIST they pick a different location for my business trips. First trip I was dissappointed to find that the room had no microwave or fridge. As a business traveler, I like the convenience of being able to grab something to heat up and eat it in my room while I work. My room had coffee, but no coffee maker. I had to call to have one brought in. The TV did not work. They had to come and fix it. I was very surprised that they do not offer free internet (unless you make the LONG walk to the main lobby and work there) in the rooms however it will cost you $10 a day. I inquired about the location of an ice machine and drink machine and was told the nearest one was in the next building. I had to leave the building and walk outside (in the rain) just to get ice. And the hotel itself is VERY run down. The rooms are dingy, the carpet is dirty, the decor is sparse. Second trip, only complaint was that my heating and air unit did not work properly. Third trip, I check in and am told that I will be heading down to building 4. I put my suitcase back in my car, drive to building 4, get my stuff out and head up to the 4th floor to my room (I'm in heels mind you) get to my room, key works fine, only to find out that someone is already staying in that room!!!! I am told by housekeeping to use the wall phone to call the lobby, it is broken. Down to the 3rd floor to use that phone, am told to go BACK up to the 4th floor and wait for someone to bring me keys to a different room. 20 minutes later I am brought keys to a room and it had the WORST smell! Smelled like someone had smoked in it and they had tried to cover it up with a menthol scent. I am told that for my inconvenience a breakfast coupon would be left for me at the front desk in the morning. Of course, in the morning there was no breakfast coupon left for me. The staff reluctantly gave me one after I explained what had happened. I don't know why I bothered though because the breakfast buffet was horrible! The food was luke warm, I waited 20 minutes to be served coffee after asking twice, and my orange juice was completely warm. I feel like at this hotel I have a sign over my head that reads "Give me bad service"... and I am NOT one of those people who complains about everything or sends their food back if it's not perfect. Next trip I will be staying at the Best Western Airport Inn... which is always clean, the service is awesome, the wireless internet in the rooms is FREE, the breakfast buffet is FREE, the rooms have a microwave and fridge and there are plenty of nearby restaurants and/or stores. I highly recommend it and it is CHEAPER which amazes me.

Check-in process was fine, but could not find a luggage cart; long walk from parking lot to the end of building 3. Room looked very nice and comfortable. Due to location, cellphone service is spotty with AT&T. Only 2G with 1-bar of data service, but that was still significantly faster than the hotel's wired Internet option costing $10/day. Television one of the nicest I've seen for a hotel, BUT the settings was cropping off picture and picture quality was terrible on all but a promo channel for pay-per-view. I went to the the restaurant, but every option was expensive and absolutely no vegetarian options whatsoever. Location and room design could lead to a romantic getaway, but I found it lacking in fulfilling the needs for someone traveling for business.

We stayed for a weekend with our 2-yr old daughter and were generally very satisfied with the hotel. Our room was clean and did not smell of smoke (though the hallway did a bit). The staff were courteous and responded promptly to our requests for a crib and a spare toothbrush. After reading previous reviews, we decided to pay an extra $15/night or so to get a room on the marina. In addition to providing us with excellent views of SF and the Golden Gate bridge, this also completely damped any traffic noise. We did occasionally hear our neighbors' doors shutting, but these were never loud enough to disturb our sleep. Fitness room is rather small (but functional), and it got crowded by 8am. The hotel's restaurant offers a nice buffet breakfast. Hotel location is a bit separated from the rest of town, and Hwy 80 does seem almost perpetually crowded (especially going toward the Bay Bridge). We also received good directions to local shopping from the hotel staff. We will be staying there again.

I have to wonder if some of the negative reviewers stayed at the same hotel I experienced. We have stayed there 3 or 4 times in the last few months and have always found the rooms to be very clean, with newer furnishings, and I must say one of the most comfortable beds & bedding I've had in a hotel. We go there for sailing, so the marina location works well for us (the perpetual harbor chime just kind of goes with the territory). No hotel is perfect for everyone, but I was quite surprised by some of the harsher reviews, as our experiences have always been positive. I also always look forward to those comfy beds!

First, the location was great, and the service was fine. However, the hotel was full of college kids, mostly sports teams it appears. The walls were paper thin, and so we heard kids running the halls, shouting, and scraping chairs across the concrete balconies all three nights we were there. We had trouble going to sleep before midnight, and were awoken at least a couple time every night by the noise. I asked for a different room/location after the first night, but was told that the hotel was fully booked and nothing was available. To make matters worse, the HVAC unit in the room was extremely loud, although this did have the benefit of drowning out the other noise. I thought I had secured a decent deal by opting for the hotel's "non-refundable" rate, but regret it now because we couldn't easily change hotels after our first night -- cynically speaking, maybe this is why the hotel offers such deals. We won't be staying at this hotel again, and I wouldn't recommend it for families or business people.

This is, by far, one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in during my entire life. It is without question the worst Doubletree I have ever seen. I travel frequently for both business and leisure, and I have stayed in some very undesirable places - but this one takes the cake! If you only trust one review, make it this one! You will be miserable if you stay at this hotel! My main "tip" for this hotel is that if you must stay here, make SURE you request a room as far away from the marina as possible. Yes, you won't get much of a view, but you won't be kept awake all night by the continuously noisy and aggravating marina "chime." The chime sounds like a very, very loud elevator dinging. The problem is, it goes off - literally - every 15 seconds. The a/c unit did not drown out the sound for us and if you like to sleep with the windows open, good luck doing it here! The chime will drive you absolutely batty, and it bothered us to the point that we could only get to sleep a few hours - and we ended up checking out of the hotel the next day and moving to another property. The hotel really needs to warn potential guests about this chime! There are little placards in the guest rooms (see photo), but it is too little too late. The chime noise is so bad, the front desk will even provide ear plugs free of charge if you ask. Ridiculous! What really bothered me about the hotel is just how worn out everything was. The furnishings in the room were absolutely a disgrace! They were so worn, it was just disgusting! The sofa in the room was horribly stained and the arms looked as if they had been clawed to pieces by a cat! I have posted photos - it is unbelievable! You can SEE the stains and the damage in the photos! The walls had holes in them (see photos) and the carpet was awfully dirty and stained (again, see photos). I might also add that I am a Hilton HHonors Diamond member (the top loyalty level) and the room I was in was an upgraded executive room! And it was in this horrible condition! I would hate to see what a standard room looks like. It is worth noting that the hotel is not within walking distance of anything, including and restaurants, stores or fast food. If you are looking for something to eat, you are at their mercy. The on-site restaurant is okay, but it is not open late. If you arrive late to the hotel, your only option (until 10 pm) is Domino's Pizza delivery. Get something to eat before you arrive at this hotel. This is also a sprawling property, so be prepared for a long walk from your room to the common areas. As for positives, at least there was ample free parking, and free wireless internet access in the lobby.

When you book the room you are not told that there is a coast guard fog warning bell. It dings every 15 seconds 24/7. The flyer in the room explains that there is nothing you can do about it except to use the free ear plugs! Also they didn't mention the remodel that left nowhere to eat & no bar. The noisy construction crew were on cell phones all day. Construction debris & dirt, noxious oders everywhere.

Before you make your reservation at this hotel, be sure you ask if their renovations have been complete. Why? Because the Doubletree does not comprehend the meaning of taking care of your guests-- even during a renovation. Attending a conference, I had long days of meetings and workshops and was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful evening of room service and a movie-- forget that! Renovations continued ALL NIGHT LONG. Common sense is not apparent for the Doubletree-- what does taking care of your guests means? I don't think it means keeping them awake all night with noisy workers, saws, and drills. Thank god the LOUD heater managed to drown out most of that noise. However, let's now forget that taking care of your guests also includes good food-- do NOT order room service if you prefer your food hot and if you want your order as you ordered! Overall, would I stay here again? The location is beautiful with a wonderful walking path and park right outside the front door-- but location does not justify the lack of common sense in the quality of taking care of its guests. There are many pretty locations in the Berkeley/SanFran area-- choose another and stay there!

When you book a marina view with a balcony they will not disclose to you that every 8 seconds there are "beeps" that go off... all night long! Apparently it has something to do with the marina. So enjoy the view... because you'll be awake all night long. You can order a movie though... only $12.95. Such a deal for a $200 a night room. No DVD/VCR player either. When you complain about the annoyance ... well don't...they don't care.