Seminars and company events
The Claremont Resort & Club can host conferences, board meetings, retreats and galas for groups from 12 to 480 people. It sits on 22 acres in the Berkeley and Oakland hills, at 41 Tunnel Road in Berkeley, and offers more than 30,000 square feet of event space. The resort lists two grand ballrooms, two junior ballrooms and a series of function rooms with views over San Francisco Bay.
The Empire Ballroom (4,058 square feet) and the Claremont Ballroom (4,928 square feet) each take up to 480 guests. Skyline A is the next room in size, at 3,579 square feet for up to 325. Rockridge (2,166 square feet) takes up to 210, and the Garden Room (4,344 square feet) takes up to 200.
Smaller groups have a clear choice of rooms. The Lanai Room (970 square feet) takes up to 90, Temescal up to 70, Grizzly Peak up to 60 and the Alumni Room up to 50. For boardroom sessions, the Board Room and Piedmont take up to 24 each, Kensington up to 18 around a built-in table, and Berkeley and Mount Diablo up to 12 and 20. The Redwood and Garber rooms take up to 25 each.
The resort works with Encore, a conference services provider, and its Event Technology Concierge is the single contact for technical coordination from planning to the day itself. Day meeting packages, breakout rooms and workshops are available.
Weddings and receptions
The resort has hosted weddings for more than a century, and couples can hold the ceremony and the reception on site. Outdoor gardens serve for ceremonies and receptions. The Hillary Tenzing Room (801 square feet, up to 30) is a reception space with views of the Bay, and an ornately decorated ballroom with crystal chandeliers is part of the offer. The Empire Ballroom is described as suited to wedding receptions. Limewood's deck and the Hillary Tenzing Room both serve for rehearsal dinners, and a post-wedding brunch can follow.
Rooms and capacities
The figures are the resort's maximums per room. A capacity chart is published as a PDF. Small private events fit the Limewood Private Dining Room (up to 25 at a plated dinner) and the Secret Garden, which takes up to 26 standing or 16 seated.
Accommodation
The resort offers Classic and Deluxe rooms, Bay View rooms and suites, Junior and One Bedroom Suites, and connecting and two-bedroom options. The site does not state the total number of bedrooms. The Club at the Claremont covers 40,000 square feet, with three heated saline pools, eight lighted tennis courts and four pickleball courts.
Catering
The in-house team cooks seasonal, locally sourced menus, from plated lunches to full dinners, and can design menus with the chefs for your event. Dining outlets include Limewood Bar & Restaurant, East Bay Provisions, Bayview Terrace and the Lobby Lounge. For team-building, the resort lists activities such as Tasty Teamwork and Crafty Collaboration, and group wellness classes including hikes.
History and setting
The white building opened in 1915 and carries the nickname White Castle on the Hill. The resort speaks of more than a century of history. It sits between the two cities, with Bay views from its Bay View rooms and function rooms.
Getting there
The address is 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, California 94705. The official site does not describe transport options, so check transfers and parking with the resort.
