Nice Hotel to sell the wife on the East Bay (San Francisco: rental car, real estate)

[nesluopge]

I have 2 days to "sell" the idea to my wife (forthcoming visit in 2 weeks) on a move to San Francisco area per a job offer that is at this point, conditional on our visit that will this time include my wife.

So...there is no doubt (I already had an extensive relo visit) we would live in the East Bay in either Pleasanton, San Ramon area (i.e., Danville, etc), or Walnut Creek areas.

The above are the areas we will be visiting so which hotel would be good to stay at accordingly? I dont think we will have time to do much more than house/neighborhood hunt so I dont think staying on the Peninsula is a good move. So are there recommended hotels in the above-mentioned areas that would be a good idea that might be in a nice area etc?

Thanks in advance!

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by nesluopge

I have 2 days to "sell" the idea to my wife (forthcoming visit in 2 weeks) on a move to San Francisco area per a job offer that is at this point, conditional on our visit that will this time include my wife.

So...there is no doubt (I already had an extensive relo visit) we would live in the East Bay in either Pleasanton, San Ramon area (i.e., Danville, etc), or Walnut Creek areas.

The above are the areas we will be visiting so which hotel would be good to stay at accordingly? I dont think we will have time to do much more than house/neighborhood hunt so I dont think staying on the Peninsula is a good move. So are there recommended hotels in the above-mentioned areas that would be a good idea that might be in a nice area etc?

Thanks in advance!

I used to swim at the Marriott in San Ramon and use their hottub spa -- very nice accomodations -- and I've been at their banquet hall for something..... this was years ago, but Marriott's usually are kept up to date....

[CAVA1990]

The Claremont in the Oakland Hills. She'll probably never want to go back home.

The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, california vacations, oakland hotels, oakland accommodations, getting married in san francisco, wedding reception halls california

[nesluopge]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

I used to swim at the Marriott in San Ramon and use their hottub spa -- very nice accomodations -- and I've been at their banquet hall for something..... this was years ago, but Marriott's usually are kept up to date....

thanks! i saw that via google after I posted and thats on my list if we stay in San Ramon for sure. Might be good as that area is as close to "home" in its feel which is perhaps a good strategy. The relo tour in Boston last week was a DISASTER! lol...though on the other hand, since it was so awful in comparison to the style she is used to, it may actually come in handy to sell the Bay area which in addition to being beautiful, will have that West Coast feel she has become accustomed to. I have since declined my other offers back East (Boston and Maryland) and am SO happy about that!

[nesluopge]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

The Claremont in the Oakland Hills. She'll probably never want to go back home.

The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, california vacations, oakland hotels, oakland accommodations, getting married in san francisco, wedding reception halls california

thanks! I will add this to the potential list. Actually, its priced very well too I will see what the company is comfortable covering and if the relo folks dont mind driving to Berkeley and if not, as I will have a rental car, would it be pretty easy (i.e., not too much traffic that direction) to drive towards the Walnut Creek/San Ramon area? I honestly have no clue.

I have also since come across Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa | Walnut Creek CA Hotels | California Luxury Resort, Inn as well as "The Rose" in Pleasanton.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by nesluopge

I will have a rental car, would it be pretty easy (i.e., not too much traffic that direction) to drive towards the Walnut Creek/San Ramon area? I honestly have no clue.

If you just have 2 days don't mess around with the frequent traffic jams in the Caldecott Tunnel and just stay in the Walnut Creek/San Ramon area.


YouTube - Driving Through The Caldecott Tunnel

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by nesluopge

thanks! I will add this to the potential list. Actually, its priced very well too I will see what the company is comfortable covering and if the relo folks dont mind driving to Berkeley and if not, as I will have a rental car, would it be pretty easy (i.e., not too much traffic that direction) to drive towards the Walnut Creek/San Ramon area? I honestly have no clue.

I have also since come across Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa | Walnut Creek CA Hotels | California Luxury Resort, Inn as well as "The Rose" in Pleasanton.

The Caldecott Tunnels are not fun on the weekend..... so the Lafayette Park might be a good place, too. It's very nice, there. I love Lafayette. Small town, great shops. Great breakfast diner called Millies.

[nesluopge]

thanks to all! did not even consider such things like the tunnel mentioned. We will be there Wed thru Friday so my guess is that it may be an even worse idea to stay west of it (since we will be looking only to the East of it for neighborhoods).

so its between Marriott San Ramon (boring but logical), The Rose, Lafayette Park Hotel, or perhaps the Renaissance Club Sport in Walnut Creek. Any further input greatly appreciated.

One of the things my wife HATED about the East Cost relo tour was how things are so inconvenient compared to the West Coast. Sure if we didnt have kids she and I agreed it would be great to live amongst history but not at the expense of giving up what she is used to now where the doctors office, shopping, schools, movie theaters, dance studios for girls, etc...are all within a small radius and yes, I understand folks on the Peninsula etc also dont like McMansion homes and malls but hey, if kids and wife are not happy I wont be Maybe its best if I not give her that impression at all which I worry the Lafeyette hotel will do

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by nesluopge

One of the things my wife HATED about the East Cost relo tour was how things are so inconvenient compared to the West Coast. Sure if we didnt have kids she and I agreed it would be great to live amongst history but not at the expense of giving up what she is used to now where the doctors office, shopping, schools, movie theaters, dance studios for girls, etc...are all within a small radius

For convenience (free internet,free parking,free breakfast) check out Marriott Residence Inn in San Ramon.

Residence Inn San Ramon

For ease of your commute look at the west part of San Ramon near Crow Canyon. There is a direct backroad route to the 92 which would have less horrible traffic than the 580 or Bay Bridge.

Driving Directions from Bollinger Canyon Rd & Crow Canyon Rd San Ramon, California to South San Francisco, California

Windemere is the brand new development in the eastern part of San Ramon.
Advantage:new houses and new schools. Disadvantage:small treeless lots and a longer commute.

Windemere

There is also a small area in Castro Valley that has good schools and nice houses. This would be a shorter commute.

SF bay area real estate - all classifieds "palomares" - craigslist

If you plan to commute via Bart, Walnut Creek is the obvious choice since it has a Bart station.

Getting Around - Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association

If you like Asian food,check out the Ulferts Center in Dublin,something different compared to the typical suburban chains.

Dublin Ulferts Center, Stores