The Claremont Resort & Club Is a Century-Old Wellness Retreat Hiding in Plain Sight Above Berkeley
Claremont Resort & Club is a historic property set on 22 acres in the Berkeley and Oakland Hills.
Perched on a hill and surrounded by fragrant eucalyptus and towering palms, the Claremont Resort & Club overlooks Berkeley, offering visitors postcard-worthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Since I live nearby, the Claremont offered the perfect staycation — with a history lesson built in.
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This elegant 276-room hotel boasts a striking bright white exterior that can be spotted from miles away. Since opening in 1915, the Claremont has cemented its role as an epicenter for the East Bay’s social scene — a welcoming home to out-of-town visitors (during my stay, Australia’s national football team occupied an entire floor) and a much-loved destination for locals drawn to its massive private health club, well-appointed spa, and California-inspired culinary offerings.
The hotel’s 276 guest rooms and suites are designed as serene retreats that blend comfort and elegance.
Oversized windows filled my room with natural light and sweeping views across the Bay.
Original architectural details, such as substantial crown molding and angled ceilings, paired effortlessly with soft lavender walls, a spacious marble-floored bathroom, and contemporary furnishings.
Plush terry robes and sandalwood-scented Caswell-Massey bath amenities added another layer of classic luxury.
Rooms and suites feature breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.
There was much to explore over its 22 acres of lushly landscaped grounds, so after unpacking my bag, I made my way down a curving path to The Club at the Claremont, private but complimentary for hotel guests.
The Club takes health and fitness seriously — with three saltwater pools, sauna and steam rooms, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, pickleball and tennis courts, and classes ranging from Pilates and high-intensity InCycling, yoga, and cardio kickboxing.
The Club at The Claremont is dedicated to active living, wellness, and fun with a variety of fitness classes, activities, and amenities.
Stepping from the high-energy Club into the hushed, tranquil Spa at Claremont is a vibe shift that gives off more of a wellness retreat aura than a hotel amenity.
Guests of the 20,000-square-foot spa can choose from treatments ranging from results-oriented skincare to restorative body rituals — top treatments include a Manuka Honey Moisture Drench Facial and Lola's Apothecary Aromatherapy Massage, a bespoke aromatherapy ritual that pairs medium- or deep-pressure massage with vitamin E, Moroccan argan oil, and one of three fragrant, mood-specific botanical blends.
The Spa at Claremont offers a serene retreat to rejuvenate body and mind with signature treatments, soothing therapies, and restorative rituals.
Just as the spa focuses on restoration rather than excess, onsite restaurant Limewood embraces a fresh take on California cuisine.
Berkeley's dining options leave you spoiled for choice, but I opted to stay in for roasted striped bass served over English peas with smoked tomato butter and a gem salad with Fiscalini Farmstead cheddar in creamy caper dressing — dishes that captured the restaurant's restrained, ingredient-first approach.
The historic Lobby Lounge offers a refined setting for craft cocktails, light bites, and a curated selection of local beer and wine.
As luxury travel increasingly centers on meaningful experiences, the Claremont offers more than a beautiful place to spend the night. Guests can join guided walking tours, greet the day on a "Rise and Shine" hike through the Berkeley Hills, or linger over live music before exploring the Hillary Tenzing Room, where artifacts from the first successful ascent of Mount Everest reflect the hotel's remarkable history.
It's easy to admire the Claremont for its architecture or Bay views. What stayed with me most, though, was how naturally it reflects the many sides of Berkeley itself.
The Claremont Resort & Club also has three outdoor, heated saline swimming pools.
Insider Tips:
I didn't encounter any restless spirits during my stay, but the Claremont's century-old ghost stories — many centered on the fourth floor — are a popular draw. Check the resort’s event listings for occasional ghost tours.
Spa guests get two hours of complimentary childcare, so that your visit can be a true escape.
Players of all ages can take advantage of eight lighted tennis courts and four lighted pickleball courts at The Club at The Claremont.
For more information and to book a stay at The Claremont Resort & Club, visit their website or call (510) 843-3000. For special packages, click here. Follow on Instagram: @claremontresort
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705
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[Photos courtesy of Claremont Resort & Club/Lisa Tsering]
Lisa Tsering’s career spans journalism, copywriting, movie reviews, and much more. Her work appears in the Hollywood Reporter, in Salon, on iTunes and Apple Music, and in the San Francisco Chronicle, i-escape.com, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Times of India.
Over a 20-plus year career as an international journalist, she interviewed countless Bollywood stars and global VIPs (such as Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Oscar winners) and won numerous awards. Follow her on Instagram at @lisatsering and see her work at lisatsering.me.