Hotel Shattuck Plaza is a historical upscale boutique hotel located in downtown Berkeley California, a stone’s throw from Zellerbach Hall and Berkeley University. They offer 17 top-of-the-line Suites which are ideal for both business and leisure travel.
The hotel suites offer a sitting room with coffee table, custom love seat or couch, Flat Panel high definition TV and two chairs to pull it all together, as well as a separate bedroom with all the modern and sleek furnishings. King beds have extremely comfy down comforters, feather, or hypoallergenic pillows and a custom lit headboard for easy bed time tasks. (this was great for late night laptop work, especially as they’re not connected to other lights in the room, which is so often the case).
While I had a standard room with two queens, the suites are the most spacious offerings in the hotel. Every suite is also equipped with terry robes, cloth slippers, automatic power off system activated by your key, private desk, ergonomic chair, high speed internet, custom console with stools (very modern look and feel btw), a love seat and sitting room, an iPod dock/clock radio and water bottles. Adjoining rooms are also available which is a great option for families.
I stayed here recently for an event I was involved in at Zellerbach Hall, only a 5-6 block walk from the hotel. Given its ideal location in the downtown area, it’s perfect for business functions you may have in the Berkeley University area or if you want a getaway in the heart of Berkeley which is accessible to everything and you don’t need a car. It is also close to the Bart stop as well.
There’s a great cafe/restaurant that adjoins the lobby which is a great option if you want ambiance where modern meets classy and fun. On Shattuck and nearby streets, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants, but most of them are very casual lower end options because the area is largely catering to college students.
Shattuck Plaza hasn’t always been a luxury boutique hotel. Here’s a glimpse of how the hotel has evolved into what it is today.
Hotel History:
In 1868 Francis Kittredge Shattuck built a Victorian estate on the west side of Shattuck Avenue. Subsequently, part of the Shattuck property was donated as the site of the Berkeley Public Library. In 1907 Shattuck Avenue and Allston Way was selected as the site of the Shattuck Hotel. The hotel opened on December 15th, 1910 and was immediately recognized as the city’s finest hotel.
Constructed of reinforced concrete, the hotel is one of the few downtown buildings in the mission style which represents California’s Architectural heritage. The Annex was begun in 1914 and was designed “to allow the greatest freedom of air and sunshine.” The addition increased the hotel’s size by 400%, adding 120 guest rooms. It was the largest structure in any of the Bay Cities 5 feet longer than the Emporium building in San Francisco.
From 1918-1942, the hotel was owned by William Whitecotton and operated as the Whitecotton Hotel. Then, in 1942, Wallace Miller acquired the lease and brought back its original name, The Shattuck Hotel. Miller undertook an extensive modernization program which lasted several years and included moving the entrance from Shattuck Avenue to Allston Way.
In 1968, The Shattuck Hotel Management Company purchased the hotel and operated the hotel until 1980. In 1980 Firmateer, Inc. purchased the hotel and operated the hotel until 1999. In 1999, the hotel was purchased by an independent hotel company, which instituted a 2 year renovation, with the intention of restoring the hotel to as much of its original state as is possible.
In 2007, the Hotel Shattuck Plaza was purchased by BPR Properties. Closed for nearly a year, the hotel received an extensive multi-million dollar renovation. Now an upscale boutique hotel within a historic building, the hotel has been restored to its place as the jewel of Downtown Berkeley.
It’s a great choice if you want a little luxury without the over-the-top 5 star chain frills and prices. The hotel is also incredibly centrally located, smack in the middle of downtown Berkeley, which is useful if you’re either there for business meetings or want to explore the area. Location is ideal!!
Details:
Hotel Shattuck Plaza
2086 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
T: 510.845.7300
Toll Free: 866-466-9199
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
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