I've heard there is a new Marriott hotel near Chinatown in Oakland--does anyone know anything about this place?

The Marriott is not new, but they did add a new wing. It is used frequently by people coming to the city for conventions. It is in Chinatown near Jack London square close to city center and lots of transportation including BART. I would not wander too far at night as it is near the main bus terminal and Oakland goes from active Financial District to Ghost Town at night.

You may want to stay in the more tourist friendly Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Sq. you can even ferry across the estuary to Alameda.

Also the train goes blasting through in the middle of the night, all horns blaring!

If you can sleep through that, then you will enjoy the Marriott downtown Oakland! LO!

I'd vote for the Waterfront. You'll be maybe five minutes from the Alameda-Broadway tube.

What about The Woodfin? Has anyone stayed there?

The Woodfin is brand new, but coincidentally is in Emeryville right across the tracks from a new Amtrak station. Nice location, I assume it is soundproofed, but if you need public transportation BART is not nearby.

Emeryville to Alameda is 15-30 minutes --highly dependent on traffic.

If you do stay their they have several movie theaters/restaurants and a new mall + Ikea nearby.

If your primary business is in Alameda, I would consider staying closer.