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Oakland Marriott City Center
Rating Details »
Neighborhoods: Oakland Chinatown, Old Oakland
1001 Broadway
(between 10th St & 11th St)
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 451-4000
1001 Broadway
(between 10th St & 11th St)
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 451-4000
- Price Range:
-
$$$
25 reviews for Oakland Marriott City Center
Fiancee and I considered the Marriott for our Wedding Reception. The Grand Ballroom is gorgeous with all the chandeliers. Too bad this place was waaay out of budget.
Lynette in Sales is fantastic! We would have loved to work with her. She went beyond showing us the Wedding Packages, even gave us a mini tour of the whole hotel. That's outstanding service.
They're in the process of renovation, so watch out for those improvements.
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The Marriott at Oakland City Center is very much like Oakland itself. It's okay but it's not SF.
The hotel it self wasn't too bad but not as nice as the hotels in SF. The service was again not too bad but not as nice as service rendered at hotels in SF.
This hotel is close to Chinatown so if you get hankering for Chinese food, you are within walking distance. If you need to be at the Convention Center, you won't find a closer hotel.
Oakland reminds me of how Detroit used to be before the whole fallout.
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I have been here at the Convention center for two days. Luckily I didn't have to stay the night I was able to drive home in between.
The convention center is freezing in the morning. They also have lights that need to warm up apparently so the convention was to start at 8 am and I was standing in my booth in the dark still.
The guys who set up the show floor. (i.e: put the carpets down set the tables up.) they are really nice. I'm assuming their union and that's why it cost so much money for those amenities. But otherwise they are very helpful. Not normal union guys.
The shining thing this place has is their food. They have a luncheon spread that's has not been disappointing. Last year was much better but this year was OK. We had enchiladas the first day with Latin themed sides. Very good. Today not as good some type of chicken or pork choice with veggies.
Parking is ridiculous. This year I parked across the street at 1000 Broadway. (Also Reviewed) Much cheaper over there.
Its a very nice large convention center able to fit many people.
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Not sure that all the positive reviews are about the same Oakland Civic Center Marriott that I used to stay at....
If you're a Marriott rewards member and you're interested in the Concierge Lounge .. beware ... it's not what you're used to at most any other Marriott. The breakfast and dinner offerings are minimal and disappointing.
Restaurant service is not good and the food isn't tasty. Beware the "steak" because it has a pressed meat thing going on.
The bar has a very weird vibe. Sort of like someone's home rather than a place where I am paying to enjoy myself.
I am a big Marriott fan .. but this location doesn't cut it.
See my SFO Marriott review if you're very intent on finding out about this loverly hotel!
I attended a workshop here yesterday and was very impressed by the whole infrastructure that they provided.
The room that the workshop was in was small, but efficient. We had coffee with all the options plus beautiful red apples.
The workshop provided lunch which had salad, two starches, tons of cooked veggies, meat balls, chicken breasts and chocolate cake. I was impressed with the freshness of the veggies and the salad. I have begun to bring my own salad and veggies to events, because I want to know that I have a backup if all of choices have wheat (like sandwiches). I was happy to keep my food in my tote, because the lunch was very satisfying.
After lunch, there was sodas, including diet options and ice tea and coffee. Fresh ice water pitchers were positioned on the tables for every four attendees.
Everything was sync'd and the technology flowed seamlessly. In other words, they had a large, working screen and projector system for presentations and the sound quality was very good from the speakers. More than once, I have seen the technology infrastructure sink a presentation, but this was very good.
Service from the hotel staff was attentive. Our plates were cleared quickly and our water was refreshed constantly.
If I was hosting a conference, I would not hesitate to have it at this Marriott. Yes, I was that impressed! (The workshop was interesting too!)
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Truly a 5-star experience. I came here for an all-day conference and everything seemed to go seamlessly just like the other reviewers pointed out. All of the staff was very friendly and accommodating and despite the fact that I was just one of the staff members helping run the show, the staff still maintained personal attention to everyone and anyone who asked.
Although my only warning, be careful of an employee named Ali with a huge old football head, he was just a tad too friendly.
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My father & new mother in law spent their first night of wedded bliss here. The entire wedding crew joined them for drinks in the lounge. There was so much love & positive energy flowing around...not to mention everyone was dressed to the NINES...so we were all very taken aback by quite definitely the rudest waitress I have ever had the misfortune to encounter.
Her attitude vaguely soured the mood. She seemed to think the bill wouldn't be properly addressed...? The bride spends lots of money at that hotel via conventions, etc., so the quibbling was terribly inappropriate & unnecessary.
I personally couldn't live with the karma of even vaguely souring someone's post wedding gathering, even if work was the last thing I was in the mood for on that day. And she did nothing to disguise her, dare I say it, "attitude;" she was bold about it! :(
Um, she had a difficult to pronounce, German perhaps, name & she was blonde. Cheer up, girl!
I had the artichoke spinach dip; it was bland.
Still a 4 star rating 'cause, what can I say? I love Oakland! :)
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It's in a good location if you don't want to drive - a very easy trip from the airport. There's a number of inexpensive restaurants in the immediate area and if you feel like going into SF, it's a short trip on the BART train.
As others have said, the rooms are SMALL - I am in a corner room, which is oddly shaped like a triange and the bathroom is among the smallest I've ever seen, ever (and I'm a road warrior). You stand between the sink and the commode to close the door. On the flip side, there's a view of the city from one window and the Bay Bridge/Golden Gate from the other.
No fridge or microwave to be had, which I miss. I agree the dinner offerings in the concierge lounge are minimal at best but the desserts (served at 7:30) are worth the trip.
You mean you haven't ever looked in the Sunday paper for random niche interest events to go to and wound up at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center? Shoot, I've been there for an intermediate boys gymnastics meet, a knitting convention, and an eating disorder symposium. In that order.
I used to think this place looked like a piece of paper back when it was the Hyatt because I would stare at it from my grandma's 11th floor apartment in Chinatown. When I found out it was merely a triangular prism, I wondered who the hell got the corner rooms. Obviously bad little kids who had to face the corner with their noses on vacation.
See the attached photo for the thick, zitty, surly kid doing the pommel horse, just before his little blond teammate shortened "the hog", as they call it, to practice. Some guys were doing spindles and flares, double layouts on the floor, shit like that, while others were doing cartwheels and single tucks. My friend li'l Jess stole from the tip jar of the snack bar to buy some peanut M&Ms. We kept listening in on parents' private conversations about their sons' shortcomings. Rocco lacks confidence. Brian is going through growing pains. Louis might be gay. I say just do ten more tsukahara vaults and get your mind off your hormones.
I went to the knitting convention with my mother during the last hour so we got in for free. Meh, I don't need no tacky Santa Fe handbags or rose-patterned cable-knit lampshades. I'm totally fine with my size 9 aluminum knitting needles -- I don't need no frou frou bamboo shit. Don't be tryin' to sell me no Graffiti Gear jacket decorating kits or a Beadazzler.
So the same-as-always-mentioned friend and I didn't actually make it into the eating disorder symposium. We knew it'd be hella 'spensive and started at the buttcrack of dawn and all. We just wanted to stare at extreme cases in the lobby anyway. But nobody was there. I found a cheap army watch on the ground though. We thought maybe everyone was in the restaurant.
Anyway, the Oakland Convention Center is way more accessible than the freakin' Coliseum for stuff like kitchen fan demonstrations and government-foreclosed car-and-home auctions.
Oh yeah, I actually attended my first convention back in 7th grade -- Wondercon, the bastard cousin of Comicon. I didn't know anything about comics and was there just to pick through the 50 cent bins for Archie comics. Apparently, I got a few zero-editons of new labels (remember Image?), and got all yelled at by my dorky Asian friends cuz I actually opened and read the comics (same ones who would yell "cheeeeap" every time I did that upside-down helicopter kick with Chun Li in Streetfighter II Champion Edition), but you know I was just walking back and forth trying to sneak glances at the Cherry booth.
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This is a great hotel.
Strangly enough (since another reviewer mentioned them), I got upgraded to a corner room and they are awesome. They are extra big and have two nice windows that overlook the city. Unfortunately, the city isn't much, but you work with what you have I guess :-)
The front desk staff was great (after all they did upgrade me).
"James" in the resturant is THE best waiter I have ever had, anywhere... He was personable, knowledgable about the menu, made good recommendations, and had impecible timing (none of that wait until your mouth is full and ask you a question stuff).
This property is also right on the subway line, which is great since I had to go to SF daily and due to a conference (RSA) I could not get booked into any decent hotel in SF.
The neighborhood sucks, but, well this is Oakland. One side is against Chinatown though, so you can get some good asian food close by.
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I have stayed in this hotel a couple times and never had any problems with it. I've also had several dance competitions in the ballrooms and the staff has always been very accommodating and patient.
Yesterday, though, while visiting a friend, I attempted to get a drink at the extremely busy "lounge" (there were 2 people). Guy comes over, asks if I'm going to get a drink and as I am telling him 'yes' and what I would like, he says "Oh...wait....I gotta go bring this food out...hold on." It was really weird. So, I stole some free popcorn and waited for his return. And waited. And waited. The guy didn't come back, so I left.
I probably wouldn't come back, either.
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Although by international standards the Oakland Marriott is a four-star hotel, I would not hesitate to tag it with five personal stars. It is not a true five star if one would compare the amenities, interior design, structure and quality of services of the Marriott to that of a Shangri-la in Asia, a Sol Melia resort in Caracas Venezuela, or the most opulent and hip Hotel de Russei in Rome.
Nevertheless, my personal experience in this hotel has consistently been tremendous. Last year of the same month, I attended a Laney College graduation at the Convention Center. The function room itself was standard and nothing fancy. The hotel staff was amazingly organized and exceptionally polite. The keynote speaker, Ron Delms, phenomenal! It was a surprise treat to hear him speak live, like a free lecture!
This weekend, I checked into the Marriott's for an overnight reservation. I checked in at 1pm and my room was ready. The wonderful lady by the desk ensured that I would get a fantastic room with a view. She was so happy to inform me that I will definitely enjoy the sunset overlooking San Francisco, as well as a beautiful clear morning view the next day.
When I stepped into my room, I was in heaven! I enjoyed the breathtaking view for a few minutes, then slipped into my bikini for a couple of hours of sunbathing by the pool. I was so thrilled to see that there was no one in sight, I had the entire sunny deck and pool all to my solitary self! I read, I sunbathed, and I swam a few laps. It was simply divine. In fact, the silence and tranquility allowed me to travel back to my wonderful soujourns in Cancun, Sardegna, and the shores of Boracay, with my eyes closed, whilst in the midst of downtown Oakland.
I was a tad bit disappointed to walk into the pool area first thing Sunday morning, only to see that the sun has not cast its rays on the deck. It is definitely a post-lunch time sunbathing deck.
I quickly packed my bags, bid downtown Oakland goodbye, and headed straight to Ocean Beach right into my parents' sunny garden for more soakin' and reading.
My Marriott's personal experience? a Five Star, albeit not from a luxury standpoint, but from an overall services perspective.
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I wa in and out of here for one night on business, mid-week. I did not utilize any of the restaurants or facilities, other than my room and the concierge level room, so my experience was limited.
Room: Very small, with too much furniture squeezed into a narrow room. I could hardly pass between the end of the bed and the TV console. The work desk was too small. I had to pay for internet access, despite my upgraded room. The bed was super comfortable, however, and the shower was very enjoyable. I got a very good night's sleep.
Concierge room: I like the perquisites that sometimes come with higher levels of hotels and room, and this was very nice. The concierge who was on duty on my two visits was extremely friendly and helpful. The food is gratis, but the bar opeates on the honor system. $7 for a drink, $14 for a double. But it was top shelf choices, so the prices were reasonable. I saw several people opt for 2 for 1 on what they recorded, so the prices become even more reasonable. When I got my last drink, to go, the concierge thought I hadn't gotten enough, so he topped off the drink to the rim. I like that kind of special treatment.
Since this is the only nice hotel near the places I need to go in Oakland, I will probably return.
You know I'm surprised myself that I'm giving a Marriott 5 stars, but allow me to explain.
For the what we paid this place was awesome! The rooms were decent (we had a nice view of the marina-for all thats worth),the bed was great-very comfy, the staff was very helpful, and it was well maintained in a perfect location.
Hey it's sure not Ritz, but for the price, it was awesome!
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It's just a Marriott. They're all convenient and consistant, but nothing special. Unfortunately, the hotel bar always closed really early. Also, the house keeping would move my stuff around even if I had it neatly folded in a pile out of the way.
Room was comfortable, hotel was clean, good service. Was here for the SF Salsa Congress. Nothing bad to say. OK, downtown Oakland is not exactly scenic. I'd go back.
My review is for the Conference Area. I attended a conference here, and the place was impecable - everything looked great, the food was awesome, the service was great, clean, comfortable ... I would go to another conference here again for sure. And it was SO close to BART ...
The "Restaurant/Grille" Extremely limited menu, overpriced cocktails. Ate there on a Saturday evening about 10:00pm. They were out of buns for the $13.95 hamburgers, substituted (without asking) two slices of lightly toasted bread which disintegrated while holding it. $15.00 each for southern comfort manhattans, (used a white not red vermouth!) If you're going to charge that much, get the drink right and post signs showing the prices!
rooftop swimming pool open until midnight.
i'm so there.
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We hold our annual sales meeting at this hotel every year. They have wonderful food and great service. I don't usually stay in a room here, because I live close enough to walk to and from every day, but I am expected to stay in this establishment for the better part of 4 days every September and it is usually a great experience, as far as the hotel goes.
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I am from Oakland, CA, even though I stay in LA now. I love this hotel. I always stay here when I come into town to visit my family. It's near the BART to SF, cool places to eat nearby, the Air Lounge is right around the corner and the hotel itself has a nice bar to just sit and have a cocktail. Clean rooms and I love the awesome view.
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So glad I decided to go to the Salsa dance convention here! Some of the most amazing dancers and performers from all around the world who were there partying on the dance floor to a 9 time grammy award winning band!
Great Staff. Clean quiet with a beautiful view. I didn't like that all of the clay street restaurants were closed all weekend. I didn't like that the hallway of the floor we were on was constantly full of garbage and dishes. The room service food was very sub standard. A Marriott in the Bay are should re-think the quality of the food they are serving-at least deliver the quality available in local restaurants.
My stay wasn't exactly cheap at $140, but my company was paying for it so I made the most of my stay. I loved the bedding...huge bed with fluffy white down comforter. I asked for a good view and got what I asked. The bathroom was roomy, it came with a rob and great lotion from Bath & Body Works. Room service was wonder. The only thing I was so happy about was how the bed and the tv were awkwardly situated. My bed faced the window, so the only place the entertainment center could go was to the side of the bed against the wall. It wasn't a big deal because I took the BART, which is right across the street, down to San Francisco and did some shopping before calling it the night. Cabs are everywhere and Guest Services would be more than happy to call one for you. Chinatown is just two blocks away. I took a cab, but it's not a far walk. If you go to Chinatown, you have to try out this Szchewan Restaurant...they have the best Egg Foo Young! I will definitely stay at the Marriott again when I go back next year.
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