The Berkeley City Club is a historic hotel designed by famed architect Julia Morgan. Nicknamed as her "Little Castle" The Berkeley City Club has become a staple within the Berkeley Community.
The building's historic architecture, designed by Julia Morgan, is frequently praised for its beauty and charm.
Customer Service
Customer service experiences are mixed, with some guests reporting excellent service while others encountered rude and unprofessional staff.
Location
The hotel's location near UC Berkeley is highlighted as a major advantage, making it convenient for visitors.
Room Quality
Rooms are described as charming but often small and lacking modern amenities, leading to mixed reviews regarding value for money.
Event Hosting
The venue is well-regarded for hosting events, particularly weddings, with many positive comments about the food and overall experience.
GG
GunnShot Photo Michelle Gunn
Dec 31, 2025
5.0
I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a wedding at the Berkeley City Club and staying onsite, and I cannot say enough good things about this place. The entire property is breathtaking. Every corner feels intentional, elegant, and full of character. As a photographer, it is truly a dream location. There is not a single bad backdrop anywhere on the grounds, from the courtyard and arches to the indoor spaces and pool. It is endlessly photogenic.
Beyond the beauty, the experience itself was exceptional. The staff was warm, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating throughout the wedding day and my stay. Everything felt seamless and thoughtfully cared for, which made it such a calm and enjoyable place to work and to be.
The Berkeley City Club is one of those rare venues that feels both historic and intimate, grand and cozy at the same time. It created such a beautiful experience for the couple and their guests, and as a vendor, it was a joy to be part of a day in such a well run, stunning space. I would recommend it without hesitation to couples, guests, and fellow vendors alike.
JT
Joe Turner
Nov 15, 2025
5.0
Showed up for an event nine months late. The place was elegant, spotless and the staff were great.
BA
Becky Lee Aquino
Oct 31, 2025
5.0
We can’t thank the Berkeley City Club team enough for making our wedding absolutely unforgettable. Our guests were completely dazzled by the venue, and everyone had an incredible time. The food was phenomenal — which, in our experience, is rare for wedding food!
Throughout the entire planning process, the team (especially Brianne, our venue coordinator) was incredibly responsive, attentive, and detail-oriented. We were so impressed by how seamlessly Brianne stepped in after our first coordinator’s departure and how quickly she ensured everything ran flawlessly.
A heartfelt thank-you to Brianne and the entire Berkeley City Club staff for going above and beyond to make our day so special. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
MS
Mariana Silveira
Oct 20, 2025
5.0
(Review for catering/events/venue service)
I don’t have enough great words for Nicole and her team at Berkeley City Club.
I planned my wedding entirely “remotely” from out of state and Nicole was always ready to answer my millions of questions and make sure everything was being planned to perfection.
I had actually never seen the hotel in person, and I must say the architecture, foliage, vibes, etc are better and MORE stunning in person than in photos. Truly a breathtaking venue that transports you with its historic arches, details, etc.
Wedding food is often lackluster in my experience, but I was thoroughly impressed by all of the plated dinner dishes we were served. My salmon was perfectly cooked and guests complimented their meals as well. They were also able to accommodate all gluten free food as I have celiac disease, which was the cherry on top.
Additionally, a special shout out to the staff who worked the event day-of. Everyone was kind with bright smiles, and treated me and everything/everyone else with care.
CS
Cassie Smith
Sep 19, 2025
5.0
Classy place. The architecture is beautiful and there’s a lot going on like bridge! Centrally located in Berkeley right near campus. I stayed for a friends wedding and we had a lovely time. Staff was all very friendly and accommodating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Berkeley City Club
What is the deposit?
The deposit is for the services provided prior to the event date and is due upon receipt of the signed
contract. The non-refundable deposit is the same cost as the room rental and will be applied to the final
amount of the event.
What does the event room rental include?
The event room rental includes the space for the time blocked, two (2) hours of additional set-up and
break-down time, standard tables, wooden folding chairs or gold Chiavari chairs, ivory linens, ivory
napkins, all dinner and glassware, and staff for set up and break down all these items for you.
Do you offer private or semi-private dining in your restaurant instead of booking an event room?
Julia’s Restaurant is a beautiful intimate restaurant on the second floor, and available for both members
and guests to enjoy. Parties of 6-8 are welcome to call Julia’s Restaurant to inquire about a large party
reservation. Parties of 9 or more will be required to book a private event room.
Do you allow outside catering?
No. All catering must be provided in-house, with the exception of cakes or specialty desserts from a
licensed and insured bakery. You may also provide your own wine and beer for a fee.
Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies?
Our menus already offer several food selections that accommodate various dietary needs. We do our best
to accommodate guests with additional dietary needs but cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled.
Can my guests view other spaces on the property?
Event guests are welcome to briefly view any available public areas or unoccupied private event rooms.
However, loitering, food, beverages, and excessive noise are not allowed in any spaces not contracted for the
event. Children must be always accompanied by an adult to view any spaces not contracted for the event.
Where can guests smoke?
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the property, including outdoor courtyards. Guests must fully leave
the property and be a minimum of 25 feet away from any area around the Berkeley City Club building to
begin smoking. A designated smoking area is located at the far end of our parking lot.
Where can guests park?
We allow for one (1) parking space per event. Please ask your Sales and Catering Manager for a list of
local parking facilities where your guests may park. Guests who are staying at the hotel can park in the BCC
parking lot for a nightly fee. This is on a first come, first served basis and is not guaranteed.
What accessibility features does Berkeley City Club offer?
Berkeley City Club offers accessible parking, an accessible elevator, and an accessible pool to accommodate guests with mobility needs.
Is breakfast included with the stay at Berkeley City Club?
Yes, Berkeley City Club provides free breakfast for its guests.
Does Berkeley City Club have facilities for business travelers?
Yes, Berkeley City Club has a business center as well as six meeting rooms available for business meetings and events.
Are there any pools available at Berkeley City Club?
Yes, Berkeley City Club has an indoor adult pool available for guests.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in time is at 3:00 PM and check-out time is at 11:00 AM.
Is the property family-friendly and do kids stay free?
Yes, the hotel is kid-friendly and kids stay free during their stay at Berkeley City Club.
Does Berkeley City Club offer contactless check-in or checkout?
Yes, contactless check-in and checkout are available at Berkeley City Club.
Where can guests park when visiting Berkeley City Club?
Self-parking is available for guests at Berkeley City Club.
What nearby places can guests visit for entertainment or dining around Berkeley City Club?
Guests can visit nearby places such as Julia's Restaurant for dining, Morgan's Bar & Lounge for cocktails, and Berkeley Chamber Performances for live music entertainment.
Are there any nearby fitness or dance centers guests can enjoy near Berkeley City Club?
Yes, guests can visit La Bruja Tango for dance lessons and Berkeley Yongmudo for martial arts and fitness activities nearby.
Is there convenient parking nearby the Berkeley City Club for event guests?
Event guests can find local parking facilities such as Douglas Parking - Trinity Lot near Berkeley City Club for convenient parking.