Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel

The front exterior of the hotel is a typical Best Western Plus, with a covered entrance flanked by large potted plants and benches. There is ample, free parking just outside this budget-friendly hotel. Guests enter into a large, spacious lobby filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. The check-in desk is immediately to the right of the entrance. In back, there is a no-frills lounge area with tables and chairs and conversation groupings with cushy sofas and chairs. The lounge has nice views out over the Oakland estuary. Overall, this property is bright and casual with a laid-back feel. 

The Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel is located just off Interstate 880, facing the Oakland estuary. Rooms on the west side have views of San Francisco in the distance. Just down the road from the hotel there is a small commercial center with a Krav Maga fitness center, an office, and a Starbucks. This hotel is connected to the Executive Inn & Suites next door, and guests have full use of facilities there, including its pool. 

Jack London Square on the waterfront, with restaurants and entertainment, is a couple of miles away. The hotel is about a 20 minute-drive from UC Berkeley and the Moscone Convention Center, and about 10 minutes from O.co Coliseum for seeing the Oakland As and Oakland Raiders. San Francisco is about a 25-minute drive across the bay, or guests can take the ferry. The hotel provides a free shuttle that will take guests to nearby attractions and Oakland International Airport.

Rooms are decorated in a neutral, brown, and burgundy color palette that some may consider bland, but they are clean and well-maintained. Furnishings are two-toned with light and dark woods. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free bottled water, mini-fridges, microwaves, iHome clock radios, robes and slippers, and whirlpool tubs in some rooms. There are no coffeemakers in the rooms, but breakfast is free in the lobby and includes a coffee and espresso bar. Some rooms have beautiful views of the water from furnished patios or balconies. Others have no outdoor seating and views of the city over the parking lot. Connecting rooms are available. The style may be on the generic side, but the rooms are fresh and inviting. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

The free hot breakfast is a welcome perk at this property, but no other meals are served on-site. There are dining spots within walking distance of the hotel, however. The hotel shares facilities with the Executive Inn & Suites next door, including its pool and whirlpool that overlook the water and have lounge chairs for relaxing poolside. The small fitness center features a treadmill, stationary bike, weight-lifting equipment, and a Universal gym. There's also a walking path along the waterfront. A business center offers two computers and a printer for guests to use, and copying and faxing services are available. An on-site washer and dryer allows guests to do their own laundry, and the hotel also provides laundry and dry-cleaning services. Wi-Fi is free throughout.