A Tale of Two Hotels in Oakland

I prefer to stick to hotel reviews, but maybe its because this time of the year forces one to be a bit more charitable. Or at least think, and write about it. So, instead of writing one hotel review, I'm comparing two Oakland hotels. The ones I had in mind are the old California Hotel and the newly renovated Waterfront Hotel. Both have a lot of history in Oakland, and both are currently in the news for more than just renting out rooms.

First, the long running saga of the California Hotel and its tenacious tenants. Altogether, around over 500 Oakland renters (mostly poor, aged and disabled) were under notice of eviction by their landlaord Oakland Community Housing (OHCI), and its management agent the John Stewart Co.

One group, permanent residents of the historic California hotel, have been fighting in court to hold on their rooms, even as they had to manage the hotel on their own resources. A judge has kept in place a restraining order which prevents OHCI from evicting the tenants or shutting off gas, water and electricity to the hotel. The tenants have been cleaning the hotel, and taking care of the day-to-day activities all by themselves.

And at the other end of the spectrum, there are hotels like the Waterfront, which is now shining new after a multi-million dollar renovation, and which has pledged to donate $200 per guest room per year to community organizations. And here's the kicker - Waterfront Hotel's philanthropic partner in the You Can Make a Difference program is Rebuilding Together Oakland which rehabilitates the homes of elderly and disabled homeowners so they may live safely, in comfort and independence.

See the irony? Part of the money paid by guests to the Waterfront Hotel could end up being channeled through Rebuilding Together Oakland to rehabilitate the California Hotel, if they win the lawsuit and the judge decides that the community needs to pitch in to help the residents.

Doesn't mean, of course, that you should stay at the Waterfront just because they're doing some good. If you're planning for Oakland vacations, the Waterfront is just about a perfect place to stay, with a view of Oakland harbor, Jack London Square right outside the door, and the attractions in San Francisco a 20 minute ferry ride away.

They also have a complimentary shuttle. The entire hotel, including the new restaurant - Miss Pearl’s Jam House - has a distinct maritime feel to it, so if you're more at home on a boat than on solid ground, then the Waterfront is just the place you want.

Info: Waterfront hotel - 10 Washington Street Oakland CA 94607; (510) 836-3800; www.waterfrontplaza.com/