We were told that our room would be ready no earlier than 4:00 but we could wait to see if one came available earlier - we chose to wait. We were never offered any complimentary beverages, or even told where we might wait or get a snack. In fact, they seemed a bit irritated that we sat in the waiting room, and the younger member of our party fell asleep sitting up on the sofa. No attempt was made to contact housekeeping to check to see if a room was available.

While sitting, other people were checked in and assigned a room while we waited. Finally, by 3:30 I again asked if they could check to see if any rooms had been cleaned that we could be given, and this time they involved two managers who also seemed at odds as to how to check to see if rooms were available. To make a long story short, it was 4:30 before we finally got into our room, a two and a half hour wait in the waiting room, and we were late to our rehearsal dinner. Needless to say, we were not happy.

During this entire time we occupied their waiting room, they failed to mention they had a package for us. It contained telephone numbers and directions to where we were going and would have been helpful having them that night.

Once we got past the frustration of getting a room, the room itself was lovely with two queen sized beds and was very nicely furnished in quality floral prints. It took about 20 minutes and two phone calls to secure an ironing board and iron to our room.

The room had sliding glass doors that overlooked the marina boat harbor, and you could hear the buoys in the harbor ringing. This was relaxing and delightful to hear, though a sign posted in the room telling us what the noise was must have been an irritation to some. It was a beautiful setting. If only they could figure out their service problems.

The hotel overlooks the Berkeley Marina. The grounds surrounding the hotel are beautifully landscaped, and there is a tranquil ambience about the hotel "campus."

The staff couldn't have been nicer. We've stayed in some very expensive hotels during our many travels, and many times the service has fallen short of our expectations. Check-in and check-out were absolutely the quickest and smoothest we've ever encountered.

Our deal included breakfasts, which were phenomenal! The dining room overlooked the marina, so the setting couldn't have been prettier. We could either order from the menu or partake of their sumptuous buffet. The choice was difficult, so I elected to enjoy the buffet one morning and ordered from the menu the next.

The buffet was extraordinary, offering fresh fruits, bagels, toast, potatoes, pancakes, waffles, bacon, ham, sausage, biscuits with gravy, and eggs (or eggbeaters, if you wish) cooked to your preference. The dining room staff was very friendly, and when I inquired if one of the buffet sauces was hollandaise and learned it was not, the egg chef hurried to the kitchen and brought me out a bowl of the sauce.

The vegetarian eggs benedict dish that I ordered the next morning (I decided my waistline couldn't handle two days of the buffet) was equally delicious, and I'd recommend everyone--even those who choose to stay elsewhere--to plan to "break the fast" here during their visit.