4 Best Hotels in Oakland, The Bay Area

This relatively small-sized property has pleasant accommodations with balconies or patios, many overlooking the water and Alameda island. The rooms, which vary in size, have coffeemakers, refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, sitting areas, spacious bathrooms, and good-size desks. There is a pretty fully-stocked fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool and the Estuary walking path, so it's the rare freeway-adjacent hotel that has ample workout opportunities.

Uptown Oakland is a hip neighborhood with many great restaurants, theaters and bars—but just one place to rest overnight: this ultra-chic Hyatt-flagged property. It's quite the refreshing design spectacle, from the exterior Beaux-Arts grand arched windows to the loosely art deco lobby. Guest rooms are on the upscale minimalist side with small works of abstract art on the walls and hardwood floors partially covered by rugs. All rooms have helpful blackout curtains and some of the nicer options have a private patio on a courtyard terrace.

This property is convenient to both the Oakland airport and downtown Oakland, and to make up for its removed location, the inn offers free shuttle service to the Oakland airport, BART stations, and Jack London Square. Rooms are clean and were stylishly renovated in 2013; each room has a microwave, a refrigerator, and Wi-Fi access. Splurge for a water view for a really pleasant stay.

A good choice downtown for business travelers—and not bad for leisure ones, either—the Marriott, conveniently located near the Old Oakland and Uptown neighborhoods, provides comprehensive services and amenities including a fitness center, pool, and second-floor restaurant. Rooms are large, and the ones on the upper floors have views of downtown and beyond.