Hotel Durant

Vintage hotel and looks it. No AC but room fans are in abundance. Location is convenient near Berkeley campus. Cleanliness OK. 4 star rating probably overrated.

Beautiful hotel in the heart of everything. Our room was right across from the Art Museum and had great view if the campus

We stayed at Durant Hotel last year and liked it even though the hotel is very old. But it's walking distance to shops and UC Berkeley. This time we stayed for three nights. First day when we arrived at night , we were informed the hotel was out of parking space even though we were ready to pay for the $16/day parking fee. So my husband and I were looking for parking space on the street at the late hours when we both were very tired. That was not a good start. Then the hotel shower was not working properly for the first two nights. The water temperature would change suddenly to high for a few seconds, then came back down through out the shower. The 3rd day was the worst. The temperature changed from cold, normal to hot through out the shower. It was unbearable because you felt you were burned when the temperature suddenly shot up. I called the front desk at 11pm, but the maintenance people never showed up. Then the next morning, there was a truck doing something in the neighbor parking lot making really loud noise nonstop for about 30 minutes before 7am when I was still sleeping. Even though the manger was very polite when I complained to him, it was really a bad experience.

The front desk staff was exceptional every day. I would definitely stay at this hotel again because of the staff. The room we stayed in was a little small and though the weather was cool, the room stayed somewhat warm and stuffy. We needed to keep the windows open all night since there was no air conditioning and the fan was a bit loud. So, if you're a light sleeper, the noise from outside will definitely rouse you awake. Otherwise, great location for visiting UC Berkeley.

This is quite close to campus, and a good walk to BART. The room is smaller, but comfortable with some eclectic Berkeley touches. Passes to the student rec center are $5, if you're in the mood to exercise indoors, but there are lots of walks available (Strawberry Canyon) close by. I think there's better food available elsewhere, but it's acceptable.

I loved Hotel Durant the first time we stayed there a year ago. This time wasn't the best experience. The location is great and that is one reason we returned. Our room was very small (319) and looked out onto an alley behind other nearby buildings. The room was very warm and with no a/c we had to open the window. The screen was missing. We propped a portable fan up to the open window to get some air flow. The room was quiet at first but then the noise began: people walking through the alley below at all hours, the garbage trucks arriving each morning, the thin walls and loudly speaking guests (you could hear the entire conversation), the pounding from guests staying above us and toilets flushing and showers running in other rooms. During our last stay they gave us access to the concierge floor with a wine tasting each night, however we did not receive that on this visit. The Bar is very cool inside but super loud when busy. Drinks were average. Server didn't bring napkins for our drinks or put enough ice in the glass. (Bartender had not arrived yet or was on a break). Coffee maker in room brewed luke warm coffee and only powdered creamer was available. I realize these are small things, however the small things started to add up and became annoying over time. The hotel's best attributes: funky vibe, Berkeley history, dictionary shower curtain and great location for walking or taking a cab anywhere. Avoid room 319. Go out for coffee. Enjoy the bar but don't expect to converse without yelling and ask for extra ice if the bartender isn't manning the bar.

Late booking, it had an opening and was within walking distance of my destination. Also conveniently located close to a couple of college shops streets. The room was nicely decorated and comfortable. I couldn't figure out how the turn on the alarm though. They said they'd send someone up to help, but they didn't come until the next morning, obviously after I actually needed the alarm. The biggest issue was just the fact that the room was roasting all the time. It was in the 60's during the day and 50's at night, and I had the window open all night and whenever I was there with the provided floor fan set in the window blowing the cold outside air in all night, and it still never got cold. There was a radiator that was always turned on, and as far as I could tell there was no source of heat in my room. But for whatever reason something was always making the room roasting hot. So much so that even a fan blowing cold air in all night with a full open window still didn't cool it down. I would not recommend this hotel if it's above 70 when you're staying here. If it's in the 60's or below it's manageable but inconvenient. Also the internet kept going out (or slowing down to a crawl) regularly. Being that I was there on work, I needed to be on the internet several hours a day for business, and it's annoying when the internet just slows to a crawl or stops when you're trying to do something. The wireless always had a strong signal so it wasn't that. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

We love staying here when we visit UC Berkeleyl. The location couldn't be any better -- close to the campus, excellent restaurants and within walking distance to most things in Berkeley. Rooms are small but clean and comfortable. The staff is wonderful, helpful and friendly!

The Gastropub is excellent. Try the Mac & Cheese with veggies! Staff is great!! Beautiful old building with extremely comfy beds, great wifi and just about everything you could need. No A/C though but the windows open and there are two fans so I was comfortable in August. Would like to have stayed longer! So much within walking distance.

If you plan on visiting the UC Berkeley campus and want a 4-star location, Hotel Durant fits the bill.