On my visits to the San Francisco area, I've enjoyed breathtaking views of the Bay in a number of ways: holding on to a cable car as it rumbles down Hyde Street, strolling past windsurfers at Chrissy Field, biking across the Golden Gate Bridge. I recently added another: soaking in a whirlpool at the Spa in Claremont Resort on a hillside in Berkeley.
An urban paradise just across the San Francisco Bay, the Claremont is nestled amid 23 acres of lushly landscaped gardens in the middle of a posh residential area of Berkeley. Once the site of an English-style castle built in the beginning of the gold rush, the building burned down and the land lost in a game of checkers. The current building was erected in 1915, with many additions and renovations made in the years following. The setting is tranquil and picturesque; the perfume of fresh flowers greeted me as I parked my car just outside the entrance, and followed me inside to the airy and elegant lobby.
It was easy to feel relaxed and pampered at the Claremont, without leaving my room. My Deluxe King room (#710) in the Spa tower was well equipped with a large safe in the closet, a coffeemaker, Nintendo and WebTV, and a CD player. The bathroom was quite large, with an extra long vanity equipped with a small television flanking a deep-soaking Jacuzzi tub. The shower and toilet were together in a separate alcove for privacy. Amenities like bath gel and body lotion were scented with eucalyptus and lemon grass, and two plush bathrobes hung in the closet.
Dining at the Claremont Resort
But leave I had to, if only to try one of the restaurants. Jordan's Restaurant is one of only two AAA Diamond restaurants in the area. On a budget, I opted instead for the more casual and hip Paragon Bar & Café, where imaginative dishes like Carpaccio of Yellowfin Tuna with avocado and pumpkin seeds (served in a martini glass) shared space on the glowing orange tables with a variety of specialty vodkas infused with flavors from coconut to wild berry. I had a delicious seared salmon, which crowned a medley of rock shrimp, potatoes and sweet peppers, draped in a Meyer lemon compote.
Paragon's atmosphere changes with the time of day. Mornings, it becomes a coffee bar, with Wi-Fi access for an hourly fee and continental breakfast selections on hand. Wednesday through Saturday evenings, a live jazz band sets the atmosphere inside. Free parking draws local guests to dinner, where many choose to dine on the balcony. Those inside enjoy spectacular views of the Bay, particularly at sunset, through floor to ceiling windows which open in good weather. The bar at Paragon is known for specialty drinks created around flavor-infused vodkas, like the "Sunburn" (pineapple and pearl coconut vodkas, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and coconut).
Working Out and Slowing Down
Outside, guests can enjoy two heated pools and tennis courts. Next to the pool, the Bayview Café is open year round, with outdoor seating facing the Bay. Wedding receptions are held outside, and a wedding arbor awaits just off the pool area. Sitting on one of the lounge chairs by the heated pool, looking up at the trees on the hillside towering over the Claremont, it is easy to imagine you are in a remote hillside resort instead of minutes away from bustling San Francisco.
The Claremont's fitness center, The Club, is a local favorite, with 1400 members. Guests of the resort have full access to The Club, including scheduled classes such as yoga, Pilates, and a West African Dance Workout that will have you moving to live drum beats.
After your workout, you can treat yourself to the full European-style spa, with the steam rooms, saunas and that whirlpool overlooking the Bay that I mentioned. I arrived at the spa about a half an hour before my Thai massage to luxuriate in this tranquil setting.
Getting Down to Business
But this was a working trip, and I had to reluctantly leave the spa eventually and get to work. High-speed Internet access is included in the resort fee. When I had trouble connecting, the front desk sent someone up within minutes to help. The problem turned out to be my own faulty Ethernet cable, but the hotel thoughtfully provides one in the minibar, so I was up and running quickly. (The plugs are very accessible on the wall next to the desk, along with a dial-up connection and electrical outlets.)
The resort's setting is tailor made for gatherings. Once the largest convention resort west of Chicago, the Claremont still hosts its share of meetings in this peaceful setting. I saw one conference-goer outside on a balcony just off the lobby, shoes kicked off, stretched across a bench, taking a break with some reading she'd brought along. The spa is also the scene of many informal gatherings; two women who dined beside me at Paragon had just spent the day there. The backdrop of this castle on a hill is also a popular spot for wedding pictures, and many receptions are held here.
