Marina Inn

I booked this room via
, and after completing my booking, attempted to call the hotel via the number provided on my itinerary. The phone rang & rang until finally the call disconnected. There was no automated prompt to let me know that I actually reached the hotel, only line disconnections after multiple rings on the line. This happened 7 OR 8 TIMES! Also note, that I DID NOT want to cancel the booking, I only wanted to confirm that this hotel actually existed before travelling to the location and having an issue. After not being able to reach the hotel, and after not being able to get through to
(how’d they get involved if Priceline is who I“m paying??), my wife & I gave up and had to couch crash with a friend like a couple of teenagers. The next day, I awake to a $ 99 cancellation fee. I call
to explain the issue, and they are not sympathetic at all, showing zero empathy or even apologizing for said issue. The rep from
tried to finally contact the hotel, which he was successful in, and returns to the line to tell me that the hotel would have refunded the funds had I tried to call and contact them (angry-​face now, because I DID LIKE 8 TIMES!), and then proceeds to ask me why I never went to the hotel, and starts questioning me like I did something wrong. After not being helped or even understood by
, I try the hotel and speak with the mgr ‘Christy’, who was a real piece of work. I explain that I never wanted to cancel the room, only contact the hotel before lugging my luggage and wife over to Berkeley. What followed was accusation after accusation about my ‘failing to read the cancellation policy (remember, I didn’t want to cancel), and how I ‘should’ve known they were a real & functioning business’, and that ‘the phones worked all the time (not when I called 8 times on a Sunday even at 5pm)’, and that ‘I was at fault for holding up a room for other potential clients.’ She never addressed my issues, never showed empathy at the interruption of our vacation this lack of communication caused, and never (I mean ever) said ‘we’re sorry’, She even threw in my face that they would be keeping my $ 99 because I was at fault. I was, and still am, shocked at the level of rudeness ‘Christy’ showed to me over the phone. Not only was that one of the worst experiences I’ve had during travelling (to a hotel I’ve never even seen in person, mind you), but on a human-​level, I was shocked at how mean-​spirited everyone was. I NEEDED that $ 100, and I definitely didn’t need to get the $ 35 in overdraft fees I received either. I travel very often, and would like to think that I could at least state my honest case with a company and get some form of empathy and understanding.
FAIL. MAJOR FAIR,

Not bad! I stayed one night. Customer service was great! We had some minor issues with the room and they were quick to help to resolve them.
Rooms are nice and newly remodeled. They were still doing renovations when I was there actually.
I personally did not have issues with the wifi after connecting. It works fine!
Having DISH satellite was also a plus.
Pleasant experience overall.

IM ONLY GIVING THIS ONE STAR BECAUSE THERE ISNT A OPTION FOR NO STAR!!! When we got to our room we were only given one bed, even tho we had our two children in the room. If we wanted two bed we would have to pay a extra $ 100. And to top it off the AC didn’t work when we asked them if we could have a different room we were told that there wasn’t any other rooms available. If we wanted another room they had a up grade available for a extra $ 100. Since this is the first time hearing about this there was nothing they can do!!! So we asked for a refund. They wouldn’t give us a refund. So we got to sleep in a room with one bed and no AC!!! HORIBLE HORIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!

Stayed in room 116 on Saturday. Good location, nice clean room. Woke up in middle of the night and there were ants all over the bathroom counter. Crawling up the wall to a small hole in ceiling. Yuk… no one at front desk in morning to report problem.

Very budget accommodations at a hefty Berkeley price. :/​. They include shampoo and soap. Also our next door neighbour kept smoking outside his room and it would waft right into our room. But staff was nice. This was only a 1 night stay during a road trip up the west coast. Would give higher rating if price was slightly better. Oh and the bathroom/​shower was nothing like the picture posted on this Unilocal page.

We chose Marina Inn at the last minute and we were postively surprised. The room was super clean, the bed was king size. Bathroom clean as well with some shower supplies. The manager was super friendly and let us leave our luggage in the lobby while we were visiting during the day.
Maybe a few cons: we could not find the heater and the furniture is a bit outdated but clearly good value for money!

Though it certainly is not a five-​star accommodation, the Marina Inn is on the up-​and-​up with their new ownership. After dodging several construction workers and freshly painted exterior surfaces, the owner assisted us upon check-​in, telling us they were working hard to make this place come back to life. It’s quite clear they were doing a good job. Room was very clean, bathroom was small but worked just fine. Centrally located, quiet and has a very cool balcony overlooking University Ave from the 2^nd floor fascia. Great hotel if you’re on a budget or making a quick overnight stay in the area. I’d recommend it to just about anyone!

Very clean, modern updating in rooms despite dumpy exterior. It was clean, safe, and comfortable. You get what you paid for and this is definitely that… the only complaint I have is that the internet is SO FREAKING SLOW OMG.

A budget hotel best for short stays. Stayed two nights February 2014 at $ 84/​night total.
PROS
1) Budget price for Berkeley motels: $ 84/​night
2) Located on major street, University Ave near freeway and restaurants.
3) Comfortable bed and marginally clean room with refrigerator and microwave
4) Manager friendly, at least to a senior couple.
5) Secure parking.
CONS
1) Room not cleaned or made up at 3pm arrival and not completed until 2 hours later.
2) Motel located on a noisy street University Avenue
3) No wireless. Advertised as in the lobby but lobby was not accessible by guests.
4) Could not get TV to work, although it is a large size.
5) Room had only one table lamp by bed so reading difficult.
6) Maid did not clean or make up room for second night stay
7) Most rooms on second floor walkup. Ground floor rooms not available.