Claremont Hotel & Spa
Parent Q&A
Parent Reviews
Parents, please Sign in to post a review on this page.In some ways our situation is opposite yours - we live a few minutes from the Hills, and about 10 from the Claremont. We joined the Claremont because the Hills seemed exorbitant given its facilities, and we also enjoy tennis, and the Claremont's programming is better. I couldn't see paying such a high initiation for the Hills and having to bring our own towels and use sub-par facilities, with a difficult parking situation; selling a membership down the road was not enough of a benefit to justify joining. I'm sorry the Claremont hasn't responded - we didn't have that problem. I've seen people show up at the front desk and ask for a tour - since you live close by you could try that, or reach out to me, and I can put you in touch with membership. We appreciate it now even more than when we joined (there was an adjustment period for us, and as with the Hills, the club is not perfect). The staff knows us all by name, the tennis and swim coaching are excellent. I recently had to start using the gym to rehabilitate after a surgery, and the trainer I've used has been wonderful. We toured both (and a couple of other clubs as well) and paid attention to which place most resonated with us. If the difference in monthly fee doesn't affect you too much then perhaps consider where you and your family feel happiest. A reservation is not needed to swim or use the hot tub, but they are finishing up a pool deck renovation, so the main pool and outdoor hot tub won't be available until mid/late May, which might affect your perception of the Club (but the lap pool is available). Once the main pool is open I'm excited to backstroke while looking at the palm trees again (and stars in winter). Even though it's not perfect, we have a lot of gratitude that the Club is a part of our lives.
I highly recommend Glow in Oakland. They specialize in prenatal. I saw Emiliana about once a month during my pregnancy and she was wonderful.
The Claremont also has a great prenatal but it is a lot pricier. I had a gift card that time. Amy is the person to ask for there.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Claremont Hotel
Re: Wedding night romantic getaway in the Bay Area (March 2005)
The Claremont Hotel in berkley has a wedding suite/nice big rooms with great views, as well as a wonderful spa.
Haircut at the Claremont
June 2004
While there is currently one post on the website for the Claremont Salon I'd like to see if anyone has any updated recommendations or experience with any of the stylists there. My initial impression of the place is that it is not necessarily on the cuttung edge of quality stylists, but I may certainly be wrong. thanks for the input.
Margarita cut my hair for a few years (until I decided the Claremont was too expensive). I definitely recommend her. She also has a station in Walnut Creek. Liz
Hi. Go to Sunny. She's great. I had been going to another salon in Montclair for 2 years with mixed results. Sometimes good cuts and color, sometimes not. Sunny was recommended to me when I went to the Claremont salon for a pedicure. When I met her she looked at my face and hair and recommended a certain cut and color - what I had been asking my old stylist to do but they never understood me. I am very happy now. A great stylist and colorist, and no attitude. Good Luck Lori
June 2003
I was given a nice gift certificate for the Claremont Spa for Christmas. I would like to use it for a hair cut. Does anyone recommend a particular stylist there? Or anyone else in the spa?
Margarita is very good, and very nice. She has cut and highlighted my hair for almost 2 years now. Regarding other spa employees, I have had a massage from Leslie, which was very good. Xania has twice given me a very good pedicure. Have fun! Liz
Claremont Spa
May 2008
Can anyone familiar with some of the Claremont Resort Spa services make a recommendation? I received a $200 gift certificate to the Claremont resort for mother's day, a big treat, and I'm a bit bewildered by their menu of offerings. What have you had done there and simply loved? Anon
First of all make it an ALL day event. Take the time to read some magazines and have a cup of tea before going in for you appointment. Relax in the spa afterwards. Bring your shower stuff because their showers are amazing(Like 10 heads). If it is nice go out to the pool or to the gym (not me). Get something to eat from the paragon upstairs to finish it all off. Seriously ALL DAY!!! It is worth it. Make those dollars count because it is expensive.
Now to the service portion. I had alway gotten just a massage but the last time I went I got a combination package with a scrub, message & facial and it was fabulous!!!!! I can't say enough about having all three done. You will feel like a queen. I believe every season they do a different one. It might be a little more than the $200 you have but if there is anyway, make that extra investment. I will be SO worth it. So jealous it isn't me
I've visited the Claremont for spa services twice within the past six months, once for a facial and pedicure, and more recently for a massage. The massage was superb, extremely restorative and luxurious. The facial was just ok, the pedicure about as good as I'd get as a nail shop around town, certainly NOT worth the prices. My recommendation is to go for a massage, if that's on your list of possibilities. Whatever you choose, go for those insanely water wasting 9-way showers! They're pretty amazing (if you can get past the guilt). happy to live close to a world class spa
I would highly recommend a massage by Jennifer Pease at the Claremont Resort and Spa. She gave the best massage I have ever had. Alameda Mom
Jan 2004
Re: Day of pampering for friend's 30th birthday
What about the spa at the Claremont? You could get massages and use of the spa and hang out together and also get lunch, use the pool or other facilities. Denise
Jan 2004
Re: Spa treatment close to home for husbands birthday I can't say that their prices are ''responsible'' but the Claremont Spa in Oakland is a real treat. It's my favorite place to splurge, and even my husband, not really a spa kind of guy, really enjoyed his couple of birthday-induced trips there.
Try ''Yoga Mandala'' (2807 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, 510-486- 1989) for a Massage, yoga classes and an Ayurvedic lifestyle consultation. THis place has very qualified therapists and yoga teachers...does not offer maicures or pedicures. CB
Claremont Swim & Tennis Club
March 2008
Hi, does anyone know how much a membership to the Claremont Hotel Tennis and Swim club is? Are the dues monthly or annual? And is it worth it? And what about the Claremont Country Club on Broadway Terrace? Anyone know how much? Kate
I looked into joining the Claremont a few years ago. At that time it was $15K down (which you get back if you leave) and about $500 a month. brenda
We are members at the Club at the Claremont. The monthly dues are about $400. There is a one-time initiation fee of $15,000 which is fully refundable if you should ever leave the club. We love Kid's Club, the onsite daycare, the classes, the kid's pool, plus discounts at the spa. happy Claremont member
Hi, the Claremont back when I asked, was about $7,000 but I know is higher than that now a days, the only good thing is they will give your money back if you prove you are moving and it won't work for you anymore (out of state or another county all together), the other one your asked for, I happen to call today, the full membership is $70,000, swimming $14,000 and tennis $7,000 or $10,000 I don't recall the last one. Good luck! Susana anon
Re: Looking for a Swim Club (May 2003)
Although it is expensive, we LOVE the Claremont. We have a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old and they both love the pool. Since our toddler was about 18 months he could walk around the kid pool by himself and he absolutely loves it. And when the kids get older there are swim and tennis teams which they can be on.
There are so many things we like about the club -- it's clean, it has amazing service, tons of activities, it is beautiful -- when I'm there I feel like I'm at a Club Med! There is a great cafe that will bring you lunch to your pool chair. There is also amazing fitness and tennis. And there is a ''Kids Club'' which takes kids from 6 weeks and up. It is an adorable little facility with toys, a climbing structure etc. A lot of times I leave one child there so that I can swim with the other. Some weekends the pool gets fairly crowded, but week days it is almost always empty.
The only drawbacks I see of the club are the expense. However a whole month's membership is about the same price as a weekend in tahoe (that's how we reason it:). I think they need members right now, so if you join make sure you bargain for lots of freebies -- such as gift certificates, guest passes, etc. I think when we joined we got 50 free guest passes and a $500 gift certificate. I'm sure you could get even more now. Feel free to email me if you want more information. Katherine
Re: Looking for a Swim Club (May 2003)
I used to belong to the Hills and talked my husband into joining the Claremont when we moved practically next door to it, so I have opinions on both.
Pools: I loved the 3 different pools at the Hills, and yes, they have a great (separate) toddler pool. But my son turned two, he refused to be in the toddler pool anymore, he wanted to play on the steps of the grownup pool. Although the toddler pool at the Claremont is very small, he loves it because it is connected to the big kids' pool area. He seems to have plenty of room to move around and I have to drag him out when I want to leave. Also, I think for moms who have more than one child (not me) the Claremont's set up makes it easy to watch a bigger child and a smaller one at the same time, whereas at the Hills, the kids' pool and the baby pool are too far apart for that. The Hills does have diving boards which the big kids love, and the Claremont does not.
Workout facilities: Yes, the work out facilities at the Claremont are a lot better than at the Hills, although for me, the Hills' stuff was fine. My husband, however, was sold on the Claremont because of the workout room.
Childcare: Here the Claremont wins, by far. A huge advantage of the Claremont is their great childcare. My child ASKS to go to the ''kids' club'' at the Claremont - he never liked the childcare at the Hills. He has a blast at the Kids' Club (except for one day when he was the only kid there and he wasn't too crazy about that).
Cost: the Hills is MUCH more reasonably priced and it is really easy to resell your membership, usually for more than you paid for it. And the monthly fee at the Claremont is almost triple what the Hills was. The guest fees at the Hills are a lot more reasonable, and they let your babysitter bring your child instead of you, at no additional cost (the Claremont makes you buy a ''nanny pass''). The Hills was also really nice about letting my nanny bring her own kids the week they didn't have school.
Snack bar: The Claremont's snack bar is much more expensive than the Hills, and the person manning the cash register is the slowest mammal alive. You are not supposed to bring your own food at the Claremont, either (a rule I totally ignore), but lots of people bring their own stuff at the Hills which I think is much nicer. On the other hand, the Claremont's snack bar has beer and wine, and they set up a poolside bar in the summer (a plus for me, I like my booze!).
Other: don't join the Claremont for the free night's stay at the hotel. They know you are being ''comp'd'' when you check in, and they put us in a room next to the service passage and we got to listen to loud banging from carts being rolled up and down all night long. And in the morning, we had a cold shower. Ugh! Frankly, if the Hills was located where the Claremont is, I'd have stayed at the Hills and brought my flask to the Hills instead of sneaking a sandwich at the Claremont).
Re: Looking for a Swim Club (May 2003)
There were a few messages about the Claremont. I wanted to add to that. The Claremont foolishly sent me a postcard last year, inviting me to spend a day at the Club at the Claremont. I took them up on it, and found it to be exactly as others have posted. One thing was omitted, though: there is an $11k deposit required, and it is not refunded until *four* other families join after you quit. That seemed substantial to me, and worth mentioning. As it is, we're Oakland Y members and I really like it. The crowd is diverse, body shapes vary widely, and there is laughter in the women's locker room. :) Jennie
Re: Tennis Classes for an 8-year-old (March 2003)
The tennis club at the Claremont has excellent tennis classes for young kids that are open to non-members as well. The instructors are well trained and Jim Coyne who runs the program really knows how to teach young children in a group setting.They also offer a good tennis camp all through the summer months. Check the Claremont hotel website for more information.My picky daughter enjoyed the group classes and the summer camp for 3 consecutive years. Laura
Considering joining the Claremont Swim Club
July 2002
We're considering joining the Claremont Club at the Claremont Hotel for its tennis, fitness center, pools and childcare. Our son is a newborn and they seem to be very family friendly. Is anyone a member or have any insights into the membership/general atmosphere? We're looking for a low-key, albeit very nice, place to spend time during the week and on weekends. I especially will be using it as my ''break'' from being a mom for a few hours a day... Many thanks Tora
We've been members at the Claremont for about 1 1/2 years now and we love it! We have a three-year old and a nine-month old. So far, we have not put the baby in the ''Kids Club'' (childcare center), but my daughter loves it. She thinks it is a treat to go there, not someplace that mom and dad ''put her'' so they can have a workout :) . She also loves eating at the casual pool- side restaurant. She loves the swimming pool (they have a small ''wading pool'' that is part of the big pool) and took a nice swim class earlier this summer.
We joined because several other families on our street belong, as do a number of the families of my daughter's playmates. I have been spending a lot of time with a personal trainer and a Pilates instructor and they have been wonderful in helping me get back in shape after baby #2. My husband loves the separate lap pool and the spinning classes (he was doing one of the tennis clinics until he ruptured his Achilles tendon last summer!). We find the atmosphere to be very low key and family- oriented; most of the members seem to be families. There also seem to be a lot of offerings for older kids, like swim teams and tennis clinics. We also love the facilities; the recent renovations on the fitness center and the locker rooms were great. Stephanie
We joined the Claremont when I was pregnant with my first daughter and like you, wanted a great family place and especially loved the pool. I now have two kids (1 & 3) and they love it. The place is very family friendly and we have also met a number of other parents and kids there who we have become friends with. My kids love the ''Kids Club'' there so much they don't even realize its actually childcare so that mom & dad can have dinner or a drink once in awhile. All in all, though it's expensive, we've been very happy with all that the membership offers. any question, feel free to contact me directly. Hope to see you there, Leslie
We have been members for 5 years. When we joined my son was about one and his older brother was 13. Our family has enjoyed the club, made friends with other members and use is VERY frequently. We are daily users of the club. The Kids Club is very safe and the employees seem skilled with kids of all ages. I never had a problem leaving my young child in the Kids Club while I worked out for one or two hours. I really can't think of anything to complain about. The summer season (as soon as school lets out) is very busy and things tend to get a little messy (wet towels everywhere). It was a big investment for us to join but we use the facilities enough to justify the cost and convenience. Good luck, Jill
Although it is expensive, we LOVE the Claremont. We have a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old and they both love the pool. Since our toddler was about 18 months he could walk around the kid pool by himself and he absolutely loves it. And when the kids get older there are swim and tennis teams which they can be on.
There are so many things we like about the club -- it's clean, it has amazing service, tons of activities, it is beautiful -- when I'm there I feel like I'm at a Club Med! There is a great cafe that will bring you lunch to your pool chair. There is also amazing fitness and tennis. And there is a ''Kids Club'' which takes kids from 6 weeks and up. It is an adorable little facility with toys, a climbing structure etc. A lot of times I leave one child there so that I can swim with the other. Some weekends the pool gets fairly crowded, but week days it is almost always empty. The only drawbacks I see of the club are the expense. However a whole month's membership is about the same price as a weekend in tahoe (that's how we reason it:). I think they need members right now, so if you join make sure you bargain for lots of freebies -- such as gift certificates, guest passes, etc. I think when we joined we got 50 free guest passes and a $500 gift certificate. I'm sure you could get even more now. Feel free to email me if you want more information. Katherine
The rates are different at different times and depending on what you want to use at the club. Just call them and they will tell you. They may even offer you a trial week for free.
We recently joined the Club at the Claremont Hotel (not the Country Club), and paid $17,000, but have a $1,600 activity credit, and pay $590/ month dues. The credit wasn't throwaway, but will be used for camps and lessons, which we'd pay for anyway. Not that you asked, but we have used the club almost every day since we joined, and it has definitely been worthwhile for us. We are all in heaven while swimming in the saline pool, and love being able to easily book a court. On hot days it is crowded, and some of the guests can be a little rude at times, but we focus on what we enjoy. I feel much better physically, even though I was already pretty healthy - swimming nearly every day has quickly made me feel more embodied and balanced. The staff has always been kind and helpful and the tennis and swim lessons great. I researched several places to join before deciding that the Claremont most realistically suited our needs.
$17K initiation fee + $590 / month
My family signed up around March 2019 and the initial fee, if I am remembering correctly, was around $16,000, and the monthly due was about $525. The initial fee varies depending on if they are trying to draw more members, and at the time of our sign up, they gave us approximately $1,500 worth of vouchers for sports training, restaurant, and spa/massage. The monthly due goes up every year. You do have to talk to someone at the Claremont to get the most recent numbers, because in the midst of covid last year, they were heavily advertising that they were welcoming new members. Our family moved out of the area and cancelled our membership due to COVID. In hindsight, worked out to monthly, that was a really expensive year of gym membership. The pools are VERY NICE. That and the sauna was the only two things I used. My partner used more, and our child used the pool.
Hello - we joined a few years back and there was an initial fee of around $16,000. monthly fee is then roughly $600. we have young kids and so we find it worthwhile for the kids and for the parents to get some good exercise and especially to enjoy the pool. Lot's of younger kids play together.
It's worth it if you can afford it....