My standard hotel reviews include a breakdown by the following topics. Feel free to skip to whichever section you find most interesting.
- Highlights
- Lobby
- Room
- Hotel Space / Ambiance
- Food & Drink
- Fitness
- Miscellaneous
Highlights: Courtyard by Marriott Richmond Berkeley
This was a quaint little East Bay hotel, about 20 minutes away from Berkeley. Highlights include the very large suite we were in, as well as the annoying fire alarm at 7AM on Sunday morning. What a frustrating experience, most likely due to some damn idiot burning something in a microwave, or worse, smoking it up in their room. Powered through it and got out of there as fast as we could, to a bunch of people in the lobby milling about waiting for the go ahead to go back to their rooms. No explanation, apology, or anything when I called to check out. No breakfast either, don’t bother coming here.
LOBBY & CHECK-IN
Lobby is to the left, with two check in desks. Just around the corner is their small market, with snacks, packaged meals, and drinks. Titanium benefits included either $10 at the Market or Bistro (to the right of entrance) or points. We opted for points. No breakfast included. We were upgraded to a King suite, so that was nice.
ROOM
Our room was an upgraded king suite. and quite dark when we arrived. It was very large and spacious, with a separate living room, microwave, and refrigerator. The desk was a bit awkwardly placed in the middle with poor lighting, but I was able to move a lamp on top of the desk to improve it.
HOTEL SPACE / AMBIANCE
Seeing a larger than normal number of patrons after the fire drill, it ran the gamut from middle aged families, older couples, young millennials (I assume), and more.
FOOD & DRINK
We had to rush out in the morning and didn’t check out their Bistro options. However, as mentioned they don’t have breakfast, just a la carte options from the Market or Bistro.
FITNESS
Fitness center is located on the first floor, with pool available as well.
MISCELLANEOUS
As the lady is making regular weekend trips to Berkeley for a climbing class, my position is to facilitate transport and lodging to the area on a regular basis. Next time, I’ll stay elsewhere, as this was a poor or average experience, at best, even if you exclude the fire alarm – which wouldn’t be the hotel’s fault. Perhaps there are better options, closer to Berkeley. They were able to apply my Marriott gift card so I was able to save another ~9-10% the stay, which is always nice to have.
Featured Image of a beautiful pool area from the Courtyard by Marriott Richmond Berkeley site. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which, should you click through and/or make a purchase, grant me a commission. Also, I only post in the best interest of my readers. Lastly, thank you for supporting my blog and my travels.
What do you think of my writing? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments, or reach me directly at TheHotelion@gmail.com! Like my posts? See more here, on TravelUpdate! Follow me on Facebook (The Hotelion) or on Twitter and Instagram: @TheHotelion
After a lot of prodding…Bonvoy sent me the following: Note this is not easily searchable on their website and some of the info contradicts their Terms & Conditions but check this out:
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/member-benefits/guarantee.mi
I complained to Bonvoy and this was their reply re: breakfast Amenity choice. They literally said go to Section 4.3.c.iii. to see your benefit !
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi?fbclid=IwAR04aUeXiggbGgUw0983mSLydGBMYCEp49kfk8kuyJeGUEFjcqXdhGFub1s#earn
The “Chen” that owns the Clement in Palo Alto also owns the Westin & Sheraton Palo Alto…here’s the portfolio:
https://www.phmhotels.com/phm-hotel-list.php
Thanks for reading! That means $20 for breakfast. Not as bad, but still.
I actually work very close to this Property and have met the GM and Owner of it. We have a corporate deal with them. The area around the hotel isnt that nice. interior is ok, the price honestly is quite high for the area IMO. the Owner of this property also own quite a few other properties in the bay area, the fourpoints in emeryville, some in santa clara, and interestingly the intercontinental clement monterey, and the clement in palo alto. The Presidents name is Clement Chen, and likes putting his own name on the hotels .lol
Fair – it wasn’t anywhere close to the level of quality/service I expect from a marriott property. Thanks for reading!
Have you ever tried the Courtyard Emerryville ? I’m curious as I will be staying there next month – as an Ambassador level guest. With the new Bonvoy – it seems every Brand is different with regard to Breakfast.
I stayed at a Courtyard in Valencia/Santa Clara in December 2018 and was given 2 vouchers (one night 2 guests) for a credit of $15 each for breakfast. Then at another Courtyard, nothing. They really need to be consistent across the brands in terms of offerings. We as guests should not need to fight/plead/research each hotel to find out what they offer.