Rose Garden Inn, Berkeley

The Rose Garden Inn was utterly charming. The staff was courteous and helpful throughout our stay. Our room was charming, and the fireplace added so much ambiance. It is close to campus, but still in a quiet area of town. And, maybe the best part, the breakfast which is included with the room was incredible. All you can eat - and lots of it! I will definitely stay here again - any time my travel plans bring me to Berkeley!

Nice place, funny place, beautiful place, good rates, awesome breakfast buffet, homemade and served with a smile, front desk staffed 24/7, coffee and tea 24/7, microwaves and fireplaces added to a homey feeling, the gardens were beautiful, the entire staff very helpful and "there for you". If you like attentive, personal service, cosy rooms and friendly, hospitable management and true passion for YOU! as a guest, consider the Rosegarden Inn. If you like unpersonal, superficial, cold and exchangable hotels, this is not for you.

Since I was traveling on business, I had requested a room on a high floor to get away from street noise. I arrived around 10pm and found my previously higher room on the printout had been crossed out, and a room on the second floor penciled in. I didn't think much of it until I got to the tiny room that faced Telegraph Avenue, which is one of the main streets in the city. I didn't get much sleep with the buses driving back and forth that night. The next morning I asked to switch to another room. At first they said that they were booked but then the fellow saw that someone was checking out that morning. I had packed up my bags and put them in my car and offered to give the fellow my keys. He said that that was unnecessary and it was likely they could do the switch. I got a surprise when I returned that evening after work and they said that they had not switched my room. So after suffering 2 sleepless nights in the room, I cannot recommend the hotel. The bathroom was clean but the entire room was in need of a major overhaul. The only redeeming thing was the breakfast but that does not make up for the poor service, noisy conditions, and run down room. Oh, and I had filled out comment card which but they don't have a comment box that you can drop the card into so you have to hand it directly to the staff.

My husband and I stayed at the Rose Garden Inn for 2 rainy nights in late February. Our visit to Berkeley involved dealing with some difficulties, so I tried not to let my feelings distort how I viewed the hotel. But, let's be frank, the Rose Garden Inn has seen better days. To say it is funky is putting a pretty good spin on it. My impression was of a very old, very chilly Victorian building that--to possess the charm that can make "old" become "interesting"--needed a generous infusion of money and remodeling. I was put in mind of the many old 'apartments' I rented as a student in turn of the century buildings that had been divided up into rather flimsy so-called 'studio apartments'. Ceilings were very high, the room was cold, decor was very worn, half of the windows were painted over, the carpeting had paint spattered on it from the last painter, and so on. Nothing horrible, just not what you want to pay good money on. Adding to the sombre atmostphere of the place was the service we received at the front desk from an odd young man of few words and little welcome. Not that I want to be entertained, but a smile always helps. My advice is if your tolerance for 'funky' is high and you like Victoriana, then give it a try--especially in the summer months. If not, keep looking.

I would definitely go back. I went in the winter so the gardens weren't blooming fully but they were still really beautiful. I know in the warmer months that the roses and gardens would be perfect. The place has character in a nice way. The rooms are funky and kind of artistic and the building is gorgeous. I really liked it. Also, there is a full breakfast of eggs and fruit and things like that which is really nice because you save money that way. I definitely plan on going back.

I spent the weekend here on my 25th birthday with my boyfriend and it was just perfect. The room was beautiful and the fire place made it very romantic. I enjoyed the time we spent here and the yummy breakfast that was served!

Ownership and service were Great! The Innkeeper most hospitable! I wish they had a place in Monterey! Great breakfast each morning and very romantic rooms.

The hotel was so unorganized. I booked two rooms six months ahead for my parents and relatives. They flew from oversea to attend my graduation ceremony at UC Berkeley. Since I lived close to Rose Garden Inn, I actually went to the front desk to make the reservations and received copies of the reservations. I reconfirmed my reservations about two weeks before and I thought everything was fine. My parents and relatives arrived at Berkeley and the rooms were not booked. I reserved two rooms, but only one room was available, which had only one full size bed and little extra space that there was no way 4 adults could stay. My original reservation was either king size bed or two bed room. My parents and relatives wanted to stay in the same hotel, so we wanted to cancel the room, but they didn't accept the cancellation either. We had to rent only one room and had to look for another hotel. It was extremely difficult during the graduation season and all hotels in town were full. My parents and relatives would have to sleep on the street if we couldn’t find another hotel! We waited for cancellation in another hotel and luckily found rooms. Obviously they overbooked reservations and blamed on me saying that my credit card didn't go through. It was not true, because we couldn't cancel one room! We got fully charged. They didn't want to lose one room's rent, so they didn't allow us to cancel the room. We were poorly treated and got cold glance from hotel employees. Rose Garden Inn messed up one of the biggest day of my life, which was my college graduation.

The Rose Garden Inn was a pleasant surprise. We were there during the "rainy season" so did not get the full benefit of the patio gardens, but they were lovely. The location was within walking distance of the BART stations (though it was a long walk for most). Parking was readily available for most of the stay. The breakfast was delicious and ample with both hot options and fresh fruit. Free cookies in the afternoon too! Best of all was the staff. The room was thoroughly cleaned daily. The desk clerks were extremely helpful. They went out of their way to make our stay pleasant. The only down side was the condition of some of the buildings. There was some leaking in the green house during one of the rainier mornings, and there was a tiny bit of mildew in one of the corners of the room. Over all very minor complaints.

I have stayed at quite a few of the very nice hotels in Berkeley, (ie..Hotel Durant and Holiday Inn Express), but this hotel is far and away the best. Let me start by saying the service is exceptional. When you walk in they now who you are and always try to accomodate any special requests. They have a huge full buffet breakfast including eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, fresh fruit, etc... It is only about a 5 - 10 minute walk from the university. It will always now be my home away from home.