Eleven honest options in a city that rewards knowing where to look, a design hotel in Uptown, a century-old resort up in the hills, dependable downtown towers within reach of Fox and Paramount nights, and waterfront suites out by Jack London Square.
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A 1920s Kissel auto showroom turned hotel, warm brass and terrazzo, with the High 5ive rooftop above and the Fox and Paramount marquees a block down Telegraph.
Pip’s Tip A 1920s Kissel auto showroom turned hotel, brass and terrazzo, in the theater district.
The white 1915 landmark up in the hills, sitting on the Oakland and Berkeley line, with tennis courts, two pools, a full spa and a view that takes in the whole bay.
Pip’s Tip The white 1915 landmark up in the hills, with spa and pools and the full Bay panorama.
The big capable one, wired straight into 12th Street BART, with upper floors looking across the water to San Francisco. Old Oakland restaurants are five minutes on foot.
Pip’s Tip Wired straight into 12th Street BART, which makes it the practical one. Upper floors get the views.
European minimal, clean lines and dark wood, with a lounge in place of a lobby and a small tapas bar. Sits on the downtown edge with Uptown nightlife a short walk east.
Shares a building with the AC and answers a different question: full kitchens, real living space and breakfast included, for a trip measured in weeks rather than nights.
Planted in Old Oakland among the Victorian storefronts and the Friday farmers market. Straightforward rooms and good beds, with Chinatown and Jack London a few blocks either way.
A newer build two minutes from 12th Street BART, which puts San Francisco about fifteen minutes away. Hot breakfast, clean rooms, no pretension, right on the Chinatown edge.
Suites with kitchens set right on the estuary, water out the window and the Bay Trail out the door. Breakfast is included and the airport is a short drive south.
Tucked into Embarcadero Cove with boats knocking around outside, a heated pool and jacuzzi, and a waterfront path starting at the lobby door. Better than the name suggests.
Low-rise lodging on the cove where the better rooms have balconies and walk-out patios facing the estuary. Plain, quiet, and genuinely on the water rather than near it.
The last lodging standing in Jack London Square itself, plain and inexpensive, with the San Francisco ferry, Heinold's saloon and the waterfront restaurants at the corner.
Uptown's design play, walking distance to the Fox and every good room on Telegraph.
Group rates when the family travels. Members hear first.
Stays are one chapter of Pip's Lifestyle, find the lounges, rooftops, brunch spots and the Domino Club below.
