Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect, called The Claremont, “…one of the few hotels in the world with warmth, character and charm.”

Well you are like me, you define “warmth, character and charm” as a bit old-fashioned, small and cozy. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a lovely hotel, but definitely a traditional hotel with history, which has its charms. My biggest complaint was definitely the small rooms. My next complaint would be the wallpaper. 

It is convenient, as it is located two miles from UC Berkeley, which is a 10 minute drive from Dimond. I’ve visited the spa a few times, and yes, it’s good. For the price? You will have to be the judge. Spas like these, I find are for the experience, not the actual service. It is a great spa if you are planning an all-day event with a group of friends or as a romantic get-away. Lunch by the pool is lovely, so definitely build in time for this. (ps. For the life of me, I cannot find the actual address on their website. Tells you something.)