Courtyard by Marriott Oakland Downtown

I can’t understand the good reviews. Maybe people are paid or blind, because this was unrealistically bad. I stayed a whole week and only one staff member was nice. They don’t make it clear there’s no on-site parking, then charge $54 a day for valet. The alternative was to park “somewhere else” in the middle of Oakland. My job paid for the stay and recommended this place, and I still felt ripped off. Avoid it if you have a choice. I’ve never seen such a sad excuse for a Marriott. The room was dark and dated, though the bed and shower were clean. The door barely shut and blocked almost no noise. The AC would stop in the middle of the night, leaving me waking up sweaty. The thermostat was next to the window, so the rest of the room stayed stagnant while it thought things were fine. There’s just one washer and one dryer for the whole hotel. At least the gym had all the dumbbells on the rack. The pool was a sad excuse, and there was no free breakfast or coffee.

The room was clean and spacious, though the bathroom could use an update and some outlets didn’t work well, so I had to improvise. The front desk women were exceptionally kind and professional, and made me feel welcome during my overnight stay. The location can feel a little rough, but it’s central to everything. I wish I’d stayed longer, and I’ll definitely return on my next visit to oakland!

The rooms were fine and service was okay, except the restaurant closed 45 minutes early. But the location deserves negative stars. I know it’s Oakland and expectations are low, but they should at least provide parking for all their guests. Their advice was to find another lot and not leave anything in the car. Don’t stay here unless you absolutely have to.

The location worked well for us, with BART within walking distance and good security. The room was roomy and clean, though the bedsheets still had visible dried stains, and the washer and dryer in the self-service laundry needed cleaning. They cost $2 each. There’s a Smart TV for YouTube and Netflix, but you need your own account. The 24-hour shop was pretty pricey, and there wasn’t a nearby convenience store after 6 pm.