The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa

Not your typical beer event! "99 Bottles of Beer: Global Brewing Traditions, 2500 BC - the Present" at Museum of Anthropology in Berkeley

This is not your typical beer event! A definite must see while visiting the colorful city of Berkeley - learn about the art of beer brewing past and present at:

Beer Event at Hearst Museum of Anthropology

until September 30, 2010
every Wednesday through Sunday
from 10 am - 4:30 pm

"This lively exhibit goes well beyond beer as we know it today. Along with German steins and American beer bottles, are a stunning Incan jar for corn beer, measuring four feet, ceramic beer cups from ancient Egypt, more than four thousand years old, and a range of cups and flasks for Japanese sake.

Drawing from a collection of 1,000+ beer-related items, this exhibit of about 130 items focuses on the material aspects of beer production and consumption: objects for brewing, storing, transporting, serving, and drinking. This rich display reveals the striking unities and diversities of human cultures as they come together to celebrate the fruit of the grain."

This event is free to the public and about 1 mile from Claremont Hotel Club & Spa.

Hearst Museum of Anthropology
Bancroft Way @ College Avenue
Berkeley, 94720
For More Information visit their site or phone: 510-642-3682

3rd Annual Downtown Berkeley Music Fest is almost here! Come enjoy the music in Berkeley & indulge at Claremont Hotel Club & Spa

3rd Annual Downtown Berkeley Music Fest

August 20 - August 29, 2010

"The Downtown Berkeley Music Festival is a 10-day summer music festival celebrating music from throughout the world. Music and correlated cultural events including dance, jam sessions, workshops, and cuisine are featured at various venues throughout the Downtown, promoting the arts and contributing to a more lively downtown community."

With over 50 musical performances from traditional jazz to jugbands, Afro-Brazilian rock to bluegrass, it's a musical festival for everyone. It's a week long celebration of the arts in downtown Berkeley.  This event is sponsored by the Downtown Berkeley Association, City of Berkeley, AT&T and produced by the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse.

Claremont Hotel Club & Spa is about a mile away from all the fun, music and culture of this exciting annual event. So come experience a music festival Berkeley style!

25th Annual Berkeley International Kite Festival at the Berkeley Marina!

Two days of fun at the Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina with the 25th Annual Berkeley International Kite Festival! You don't need to be a kid to enjoy kites.

July 31st & August 1st
10 am - 5 pm

Free admission! You can see the World's Largest Octopus Kite, take a free kite making class, enjoy free kite flying lessons and let the kids have fun with the candy drop! There will be loads of special guests, great food & music, arts & crafts booths, even a summer evening dinner cruise!

It's another fun thing to do in Berkeley. Come join us at Claremont Hotel Club & Spa and experience all Berkeley has to offer!

Looking for something different to do in Berkeley? Think Green! An Eco Tour of Berkeley, the Bay Area Green Corridor.

"An Eco tour of Berkeley, the Bay Area Green Corridor... and Beyond! There’s no better place to get an exciting, first-hand look at how pioneering organizations and businesses succeed at going green than in Berkeley, in the nation’s environmental epicenter. On this engaging and entertaining adventure through the hub of the nation’s greenest metropolitan area, Bay Area Green Tour guests meet the inspired local leaders of sustainability who are driving the global green agenda. Bay Area Green Tours and seminars profile a panorama of innovative, cutting edge organizations; visit gardens, farmers’ markets and green restaurants; and go backstage with real-life examples of renewable energy, alternative transportation, resource-efficient green buildings and creative re-use. Experience Sustainability in Action!"

From August to November, Bay Area Green Tours have monthly Farm to Fork Tours. Check out their site for more information.

There is something for everyone in Berkeley. So come enjoy an Eco Tour of the nation's greenest metropolitan area in Berkeley, CA during your next stay at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa

Claremont Hotel Club & Spa wishes everyone a Safe & Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, an official Cal Alumni Association partner, offering CAA members special discounts!

The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa,  an official partner of the Cal Alumni Association, is pleased to offer special discounts to CAA members. Make the us your home away from home while enjoying the excitement of the games, concerts and performances!

CAA Members receive 10% off *:

    * Room rates, Sunday through Thursday, use code GOBEARS
    * Spa services and retail, except on Saturday
    * Banquet menu prices for social catering events

Wednesday Cal Alumni Happy Hour 6-10pm
    * 15% off Paragon Bar & Café Bar menu
    * Drink Specials: $4 draft beers $5 wine $6 well drinks

Athletics at Memorial Stadium - Only a mile from Memorial Stadium and with accomodations, choice of 2 restaurants, retail shop stocked with Cal Gear and a shuttle to the stadium, The Claremont Hotel, Club & Spa is perfect for those pre and post game celebrations! Don't forget the Cal Football Post-game Radio Show at the Paragon Bar & Café this Fall! The Claremont Hotel, Club & Spa is a proud Corporate Sponsor of ISP Sports and Cal Athletics. Click to view upcoming Football and Basketball schedules.

Greek Theatre - Two miles from the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa,  the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre is located on the UC Berkeley Campus in the foothills overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The Greek Theatre is an outdoor, very intimate venue with events scheduled May through October. Click here to view upcoming concerts.

Cal Performances - Cal Performances is the UC Berkeley-based presenting, commissioning and producing organization for world-class music, dance and theater events. The Claremont is the perfect place to dine before a show, just over a mile away; you have enough time to wine and dine before enjoying the fine arts! Click here to view upcoming performances.

Whether it's sports, concerts or performances, enjoy the priviledges of a CAA discount here at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa. Click here to book a Cal Alumni Special rates*.

*You must present your Cal Alumni Association card to receive these specials offer.

Chef Josh Thomsen pairs with Tres Sabores Winery for an exquisite culinary & wine event - North American Tour 2010 - Outstanding in the Field!

Our own Chef Josh Thomsen will be part of the North American Tour 2010 - Outstanding in the Field event on July 3. The host will be the unique Napa Valley Tres Sabores Winery, a small artisan operation by proprietor and winemaker, Julie Johnson.

Meritage at the Claremont's Chef Josh Thomsen will be cooking up first class culinary creations to pair with any of Tres Sabores' five classic blend. His menus reflect his deep passion for fresh food and his skill at pairing each dish perfectly with the wines. It is not surprise that he was recently named a “Rising Star Chef” award winner for 2010 by StarChefs.

But if you haven't already purchased tickets for this wonderful event, you can still indulge in the exquisite cuisine of Chef Thomsen at the Meritage at Claremont in Berkeley anytime!

Wedding Reception Trends

When planning your wedding reception, you may be thinking of an early evening dinner followed by dancing, cake, and more dancing.  There is a reason why so many weddings follow this pattern…it works!  Guests are served a delicious meal and they get to dance all night with the bride and groom.  It is certainly not a bad way to spend an evening.  But like many of today’s brides and grooms, you may be seeking a reception that better reflects you as a couple, one that is unique.  The food you serve sets the tone for your reception and can serve as the focal point for your individual wedding style.  Here are a few trends we have been seeing with our own Claremont Weddings couples:

The Brunch Reception – For many couples brunch is the best meal of the week.  It is a comforting meal, while also being lighthearted.  Guests are often pleasantly surprised when they get a chance to build their own omelette or feast on waffles and french toast at a wedding.  And brunch offers the same flexibility as dinner.  You are free to choose a buffet presentation with action stations, or you can present a more formal plated meal.  One thing you may assured of, your wedding will be memorable.

The Cocktail Reception – Cocktail receptions are very hip and offer you the ultimate blank slate for setting the theme and style of your wedding.  Brides and grooms can choose a casual, intimate affair that bridges the time between lunch and dinner beautifully, or they can go for a classic, black-tie event late in the evening.  Our gourmet couples love having the ability to serve a variety of amazing hors d’oeuvres and small plates.

The Family Style Reception – Nothing brings people together like food.  Serving your guests their food Family Style gives them a chance to get to know each other as the plates are passed, and it can create a warm and intimate atmosphere.  And do not feel limited to large bowls of pasta or platters of baked chicken for your menu.  Braised short ribs passed with roasted vegetables is a wonderful option, or a platter of perfectly seared scallops served with a fresh, crisp salad would be an impeccable choice for a spring wedding.

The key to your reception is to find the style that suits you and then communicate that to the coordinator at your venue.  We at the Claremont Hotel know that each wedding is unique and we will work with you to ensure your day reflects you!

 

Create the day of your dreams at the Claremont!

July 4th Fireworks at Berkeley Marina - A full day & evening of fun activities then enjoy a peaceful rest at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa!

Only in Berkeley can you enjoy all these activities with free admission!

Come enjoy the biggest party on the South Shore of the Berkeley Marina from noon-10PM.

Then enjoy a peaceful rest at the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa. Celebrate the Red, White and Blue Berkeley style!

• Music, dancers, jugglers
• Live entertainment Noon - 9 pm
• Arts & Crafts booth
• International Food booths
• Face painting
• Giant slide
• Beautiful Beach
• Kids Adventure Playground 11 am - 8 pm
• Arts & Craft booths
• Free Sailboat rides 1 pm - 4 pm
• Dragon Boat rides 2 pm - 6 pm
• Grand Fireworks Display - starting 9:30 pm at the end of the Berkeley Pier

Free admission. Alcohol-free event. For more information, click here.

Claremont in the Community

The Claremont Hotel, Club & Spa has long been committed to involvement in our community.  We are particularly focused on celebrating and supporting our community’s first responders.  Over the Memorial Day weekend, we made our annual pilgrimage to area fire stations to deliver some delicious and well-deserved barbeque to the hard working firefighters who keep us, and our entire community safe year-round.  On the menu was barbeque chicken, roasted corn on the cob, a refreshing salad and, of course, dessert!  This is just one small gesture on our part to let them know how much we value their dedication.  The Claremont Hotel asks you to join us in saying thank you the next time you see a firefighter!