Pros

  • Outstanding bay views from many guest rooms
  • Quiet location near restaurants and shopping
  • Located 15 to 30 minutes from San Francisco and Oakland by car
  • Classic rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers
  • Suites with separate living rooms and wet bars
  • Restaurant serves American fare, plus a bar/lounge and a minimart
  • Large modern fitness center with a skylight
  • 9,400 square feet of conference space and a 24-hour business center
  • Outdoor hot tub
  • Free shuttle service within a three-mile radius (limited hours)
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • Breakfast not included with rates
  • Extra charge for premium Wi-Fi
  • Complaints of dirty windows in guest rooms
  • Not directly in the city (pro for some)
  • Some decor feels dated
  • Shuttle runs only on weekday mornings and evenings
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Bottom Line

The Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge is a mid-range chain property that's a good option for San Francisco travelers who don't mind being outside the city. The safe and quiet Emeryville location offers outstanding bay views, and is about 15 to 30 minutes by car from Oakland and San Francisco. Rooms and suites are classic and clean, if slightly dated, and have microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel offers a large modern fitness center, an outdoor hot tub, and a restaurant serving American fare -- breakfast costs extra and there's no pool. Corporate travelers have access to 9,400 square feet of conference space. Long-term and business travelers might prefer the nearby Hyatt House Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area, which offers modern suites with full kitchens, an outdoor pool, and free breakfast. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

Scene

Bright and welcoming lobby for tourists and business travelers

The hotel occupies a high-rise building just beyond the bay and offers some of the best views in the area -- it's quiet and feels tucked away from the city. A spacious lobby features lots of windows for natural light and is decorated in a cheerful, modern style. One cozy alcove offers turquoise high-backed armchairs and neutral sofas where guests can relax after checking in. A long wooden conference table in the lobby has a hand-carved look and sits next to a sleek electric fireplace finished in black tile. The restaurant and lounge feel darker and have low ceilings, but are accented with framed colorful photos of the San Francisco area. Most guests are tourist couples or families, and many business travelers also stay here thanks to the hotel's ample conference space. 

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Location

By the bay in Emeryville, with easy access to San Francisco and Oakland

The hotel is located in Emeryville, almost directly on the bay and near the Highway 580/80 entrance. There's heavy traffic coming off the highway during rush hour, but otherwise getting to San Francisco can take as little as 15 minutes (or 35 to 45 minutes by BART). Oakland is about 10 to 15 minutes away by car. A gas station/minimart is located next to the hotel and there are restaurants and a shopping plaza within five minutes' walking distance in this safe area. The University of California Berkeley campus is a 20-minute drive. The departure point for Alcatraz Island can be reached in about 30 minutes. AT&T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants, is a half-hour drive from the hotel. San Francisco International Airport is 35 minutes away by car. 

The hotel has a shuttle service within a three-mile radius of the property, including to the nearest BART station, but it only runs for limited blocks of time on weekday mornings and evenings.

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Rooms

Typical chain decor, but excellent views of the bay 

Guest rooms and suites are decorated in a classic style that includes beige walls, patterned carpet and curtains, and comfortable beds with white duvets and 200-thread-count sheets. Decor is a little dated, but rooms are clean. Each room has a sizable work desk with an ergonomic chair. Other standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, and 26-inch flat-screen TVs, plus Mp3 alarm clocks. Premium Wi-Fi service is available for an extra fee. Rooms do not have safes. One-bedroom suites have separate living rooms with sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables, as well as wet bars. 

Bathrooms feature granite vanities and walls, shower/tub combos, and are decorated with Bay area photography. Toiletries are provided. 

Rooms have views of either the bay or the East Bay Hills and Oakland Flats mountains. Rooms on higher floors have outstanding views of the bay. Some guests have complained of dirty windows. 

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Features

American cuisine, spacious fitness center, and ample conference space

Features are focused on business travelers. The Garden Grille & Bar serves traditional American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast buffet is available for a fee. The Pavilion Lounge offers drinks and light meals such as burgers. The Pavilion Pantry sells snacks and microwaveable meals. A spacious modern fitness center with Precor equipment and a skylight is available. Outside, there's an outdoor hot tub in a patio space next to the parking lot. However, there's no pool. Parking costs a low daily fee and there are ample spaces for guests. Shuttle service is available during restricted hours within a three-mile radius. Conference space (9,400 square feet) is available for business meetings and has great views of the bay. There's also a 24-hour business center and free Wi-Fi. A guest washer/dryer is available on-site for a small fee. 

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Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

Scene

Bright and welcoming lobby for tourists and business travelers

The hotel occupies a high-rise building just beyond the bay and offers some of the best views in the area -- it's quiet and feels tucked away from the city. A spacious lobby features lots of windows for natural light and is decorated in a cheerful, modern style. One cozy alcove offers turquoise high-backed armchairs and neutral sofas where guests can relax after checking in. A long wooden conference table in the lobby has a hand-carved look and sits next to a sleek electric fireplace finished in black tile. The restaurant and lounge feel darker and have low ceilings, but are accented with framed colorful photos of the San Francisco area. Most guests are tourist couples or families, and many business travelers also stay here thanks to the hotel's ample conference space. 

See More Scene

Location

By the bay in Emeryville, with easy access to San Francisco and Oakland

The hotel is located in Emeryville, almost directly on the bay and near the Highway 580/80 entrance. There's heavy traffic coming off the highway during rush hour, but otherwise getting to San Francisco can take as little as 15 minutes (or 35 to 45 minutes by BART). Oakland is about 10 to 15 minutes away by car. A gas station/minimart is located next to the hotel and there are restaurants and a shopping plaza within five minutes' walking distance in this safe area. The University of California Berkeley campus is a 20-minute drive. The departure point for Alcatraz Island can be reached in about 30 minutes. AT&T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants, is a half-hour drive from the hotel. San Francisco International Airport is 35 minutes away by car. 

The hotel has a shuttle service within a three-mile radius of the property, including to the nearest BART station, but it only runs for limited blocks of time on weekday mornings and evenings.

See More Location

Rooms

Typical chain decor, but excellent views of the bay 

Guest rooms and suites are decorated in a classic style that includes beige walls, patterned carpet and curtains, and comfortable beds with white duvets and 200-thread-count sheets. Decor is a little dated, but rooms are clean. Each room has a sizable work desk with an ergonomic chair. Other standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, microwaves, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, and 26-inch flat-screen TVs, plus Mp3 alarm clocks. Premium Wi-Fi service is available for an extra fee. Rooms do not have safes. One-bedroom suites have separate living rooms with sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables, as well as wet bars. 

Bathrooms feature granite vanities and walls, shower/tub combos, and are decorated with Bay area photography. Toiletries are provided. 

Rooms have views of either the bay or the East Bay Hills and Oakland Flats mountains. Rooms on higher floors have outstanding views of the bay. Some guests have complained of dirty windows. 

See More Rooms

Features

American cuisine, spacious fitness center, and ample conference space

Features are focused on business travelers. The Garden Grille & Bar serves traditional American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast buffet is available for a fee. The Pavilion Lounge offers drinks and light meals such as burgers. The Pavilion Pantry sells snacks and microwaveable meals. A spacious modern fitness center with Precor equipment and a skylight is available. Outside, there's an outdoor hot tub in a patio space next to the parking lot. However, there's no pool. Parking costs a low daily fee and there are ample spaces for guests. Shuttle service is available during restricted hours within a three-mile radius. Conference space (9,400 square feet) is available for business meetings and has great views of the bay. There's also a 24-hour business center and free Wi-Fi. A guest washer/dryer is available on-site for a small fee. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.