I frequently have business in Oakland and usually stay in City Center, but on a recent trip the only hotel I could find at the last minute was $300/night. A friend told me of the Hawthorn, and I had a nice stay there. It is within a 10 minute or so drive to Oakland, and the trip requires a car to get there, and the hotel has free parking. The hotel was very clean, nice staff, comfortable room, decent breakfast with eggs. There is a modest fitness center with treadmill, basics. A short drive away you can be at the shoreline park for a nice walk along the bay if weather and daylight permits.

We stayed 8 nights (and got a good rate by doing so). The first night our room was very near the elevator and vending so it was a bit noisy. (Typical: some jerk talking loudly on a cell phone while he paced up and down the hall.) We moved to the ground floor, parking lot side for the next 7 nights, and it was perfectly quiet. This place is very well run, with someone at the desk 24/7. The breakfast has a lot of options, including a choice between plastic utensils and real plates, cups, and cutlery, rare in the budget hotel class. (We really get tired of eating off plastic plates and throwing everything away.) Rooms are pleasant, with free wi-fi, and a fridge is handy. The Otaez restaurant is right across the street and it is all we needed. It is a big, family oriented place with great food and drinks. Alameda has some fantastic neighborhood restaurants across town near Park Street, but they are not in walking distance.

2 nights- clean, quiet rBoom (room was off the street side)
Breakfast average - would love to see more fresh, vegetarian options.
Daytime staff at desk very helpful and pleasant.
Without a car getting around Alameda is more difficult- would be helpful to provide more information about mass transit available on the island.

The first Sunday of every month you can enjoy antiques on the bay and know it makes for a nice getaway. The hotel is perfect. Friendly staff, clean, huge rooms and great amenities. Not to mention if you take a 5 minute drive to Park St you can indulge in one of their many great restaurants. I will make it a habit to stay in this hotel as the experience was great