Since my plane gets in(oak) near 9pm, I'd like to keep hotel cost' down.I will have to leave from downtown(oak) 1pm the next day to start raft trip.Would like hotel that offers shuttle, that's downtown.Let's say ok/good location, I might go for a drink after checking in but nothing more.Better to stay near airport and just go downtown in a.m. Any advice welcome. Thanks

The Oakland Airport Hilton is right there. I have stayed there several times. Dangerous neighborhood but safe in the hotel.

The only hotel that I have noticed in downtown Oakland is the Courtyard Marriott--you might want to check to see if they have airport shuttle service.

I'm planning to stay near OAK in August, and therefore am also looking into hotel options. I'm planning to use Priceline. If you look at biddingfortravel.com, you'll see that OAK area 3* hotels are Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Park Plaza. The recent accepted bids for those run around $40-50.
For downtown Oakland, the 3* is Marriott City Center, and 2.5* is Marriott Courtyard. However, I don't see any recent bids for those.

The Holiday Inn at the Oakland Airport is not a good place to stay. I would look for other accommodations. The area around the airport is marginal at best.

The Hilton is also great for getting to the airport without any commute traffic headaches. Just up the street.

Recently stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, Oakland. Clean room, comfortable bed, great water pressure, friendly staff. It has a pool and jacuzzi (which we didn't have time to use). We had a rental car but I believe I saw a shuttle to/from the airport.

That airport Holiday Inn doesn't get good post's. I tried PL 2.5* for 43, and didn't even get that(Hol).Thank's to those who replied.I'll keep searching.Heck maybe I'll try S.F.

Randy: I second the vote for Courtyard. Don't skimp when it comes to Oakland accomodations. It's the murder capital of the Bay Area.

Now if we can just get the A's down to the south bay, we'd no longer have any reason to go to Oakland..

I've stayed at teh Hilton at the airport a couple of times and though tit was fine. Stayed at the Park Plaza and thought it was just awful. Would never stay there again.