Fanatstic location in Berkley, right next to the BART, great staff/service and contemporary decor. Only reason I ddn't rate it excellent,was due to some in-room design deficiencies: the hand basin area made it impossible to shave/wash your face without either leaning your head down over the basin or alternatively, standing up and getting water all over the floor. SImilarly the internal interconnecting door (to the adjoining room) had too much of a gap at the bottom, meaning I could hear everything from the next room. Despite this, I would recommend the hotel overall.

We were bowled over by this hotel! Location was in the center of town but rooms were quiet. Only a few steps from the Bart station, so it's easy to get between San Francisco and Berkeley. Fun, upbeat, boutique interior and rooms. Staff was very helpful...especially a gentleman named Kingsley.

I booked 4 nights at the Hotel Shattuck Plaza over my wedding weekend. (Quite a number of our wedding guests also stayed over the weekend.) We booked a suite so that we'd have the extra room for getting ready and so our friends and family could visit. Before I go into the actual stay, I just want to say that this hotel wowed me when I went for a visit months earlier. I was very impressed on my visit (and again when we stayed) by the reception staff. AMAZINGLY attentive. As I was crossing the street to the entrance, they opened the door and greeted me before I'd even made it to the sidewalk. My experience with the rest of the reception staff was equally impressive. Friendly, attentive and on it.

I was then met by the sales woman who was just fantastic to work with...responsive to emails, knowledgeable about the policies and services of the hotel, and just a joy to work with. No pressure, just information. One small ding prior to our actual stay was with reservations. More than one guest seemed to have difficulty booking their room. I guess it depended on which agent you got on the phone....some folks had no troubles at all.

The actual stay at the hotel was mostly great. Again, the same friendly, quality service. Our room was nice and bright and beautifully appointed. (a bit narrow tho) Not much of a view (I think we were on 4) but we also didn't find it to be horrendously loud, given that we looked out over Shattuck. There was only one night we were serenaded by some hippies, but it's Berkeley, not New York, so folks go to be relatively early. The bed was super comfortable and everything was very attractive. Given that it was our wedding and we'd brought many guests to the hotel, some welcome flowers or prosecco would have been a nice touch.

Other good elements, which have probably already been pointed out, is how conveniently located to BART the hotel is. Also, there is a parking lot right across the street if you're worried about getting ticketed with street parking. Also tons of good places walking distance....BETA LOUNGE. The hotel was also very accommodating to our after celebratory drinking at the bar.

Okay, now for some of the less successful elements. I'll start with the minor things first. We had called ahead to determine that they had a steamer. They did but when we ordered it (and it arrived in timely manner) it leaked. We had to put it in the bathroom. They did come clean it up but there was no alternative. I sadly had to iron my wedding dress. Also, we got many flowers but there did not seem to be vases for us to use. We had to put them in the second toilet. (yup, second toilet!) And when the cleaning crew came they still didn't bring us a vase, and left the flowers in the toilet.

But the biggest, and really only, problem of our stay was the restaurant Five. (It's my understanding that Five is not operated by the hotel, but pleeeze) Where to start? Their hours. Bizarre. Breakfast ends at 10:30 and lunch starts at 11:30. But checkout is at 12. So right when you want to sit...the restaurant is closed. Secondly, we had two evenings where our wedding party wanted to socialize in the bar. But the set-up is really awkward for that. Most of us are from New York and know our way around a restaurant or two, and it was just a lack of class and business acumen not to set something up for us where we could drink and eat and spend more money and tip waiters. Instead, we huddled around a bar and ordered pizza. Lame. Additionally, when some of us wanted to sit for an actual meal, we had the distinct feeling that they didn't want us to sit. This restaurant was ENTIRELY EMPTY the whole weekend we were there, so it wasn't that they couldn't accommodate us. But it took sooooo long for them to "put something together" for us, I pulled the plug and went to bed hungry. Same sort of thing happened on the day we checked out. A small group was having tea, coffee, breakfast but they had to close out our check and cut-off orders because they had to close at 10:30. Weird. I felt bad for our waiter, and it had nothing to do with him....just stupid restaurant policy.

But overall, a very good stay. Great staff, attractive premises, well located.

Across the street from BART, beautifully appointed, terrific concierge (Marcus) and good food. The earlier you book the less expensive the room. The only negative I found I discussed with the desk clerk and found they were already rectifying: not enough shelf/counter space in the bathroom and the bathroom wasn't set up for a woman to put on makeup. (Just call the front desk and they'll provide a makeup mirror).