Berkeley Romantic hotels in Oakland, California

I have stayed at the Claremont approximately 35 times over the past 25 years and have seen it progress from a faded old family-owned resort to its current splendor. This visit coincided with the holidays, and again I was very impressed with the beautiful lobby decorations, including a gingerbread house big enough to house Santa and various helpers. The staff is professional and aims to please. The restaurant and bars are gorgeous; I hear the food is great, although as a former Berkeley resident with ties to Chez Panisse I never eat there. The spa is too expensive for me but use of the club facilities is a must, as guests are forced to pay a resort fee. I particularly love the fact that there's a big Pilates studio that one can use without an instructor--very helpful. The pools and gym are excellent. Now for the downside: the rooms are a mixed bag--all different sizes and configurations, and not luxurious. However, all have been renovated, as have the hallways, and are perfectly adequate. The main drawback is that the bathrooms are heated only by heat lamps and can be freezing. Sound is also a problem, as the doors are thin and unsealed, letting in lots of noise from the hallways. If your aim is to hole up in your room, you'd do better at a modern chain hotel. But if you want atmosphere, amenities and glamour, the Claremont is your kind of hotel. I wouldn't stay anywhere else.