The Best Hotels in Kensington, Oakland - 2026 Updated Prices

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Where to stay in Kensington

Find the best Kensington areas for the activities you enjoy most.

A street scene with a prominent building featuring a large marquee sign reading "OAKLAND."

Downtown Oakland

Theatres, art galleries and live music highlight some notable features of Downtown Oakland. Make a stop by Oakland City Center or Fox Theater while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at 12th Street/Oakland City Center Station or 19th St Station to get around town.

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The Art Museum Pacific Film Archive building with a modern design, large windows, and a visible street with cars and a cyclist.

Downtown Berkeley

Take time in Downtown Berkeley to visit attractions like UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall and Historic Berkeley. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Downtown Berkeley Station to see more of the city.

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A sculpture made of debris by a waterfront.

Albany

Albany is well liked for its seaside views and shopping. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Berkeley Marina and UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

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A busy street with cars, a Grand Lake Theatre sign, and various shops.

Piedmont

You'll enjoy the lake views and architecture in Piedmont. You might want to make time for a stop at Davie Tennis Stadium or Piedmont Sports Field.

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A harbor with a large ship, a marina, and a cityscape in the background.

West Oakland

While you're in West Oakland, take in top sights like DeFremery Park and jump on the metro at West Oakland Station to see more of the city.

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Top Kensington Hotel Reviews

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

8/10 Good

"The breakfast was well above average. I missed having a microwave in the room."

Stanford Court San Francisco

10/10 Excellent

"Pros: The hotel staff was very accommodating. We were able to check in early (around 12 pm) at no additional cost. Breakfast buffet was delicious (scrambled eggs, veggie frittata, sausages, potatoes, fruit, pancakes, parfaits, overnight chia, oatmeal and cereal). Complimentary bottled water was available at the front desk. We received complimentary drink tickets. I also appreciated the staff provided us whole milk in the evening for our baby. The location is great, on the corner a cable car stop and because it’s on top of knob hill, it was a popular photo area. Cons: The facility could use some upgrading. The hallway carpets were dirty and while the room was clean it felt dated. The shower could use an update."

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

10/10 Excellent

"My only complaint was breakfast options and some of the staff in the coffee shop inside hotel. My overnight oats were inedible and I didn’t feel comfortable returning as the guy serving was really abrupt and seemingly very stressed. As for the hotel location, staff and the room size and view, I can’t fault it! Highly recommend you book a room!"

Handlery Union Square Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"We were so lucky to choose the Handlery Hotel on our first visit to San Francisco. The location was perfect! Down the road from every kind of transit & most importantly, steps from the Nintendo Store! We had a two queen suite & to our surprise a sliding glass door that revealed a beautiful view of the city. Not quite a balcony, but very close & we loved it so much. There was even a vanity which came in handy with teenage girls. The hotel itself had two sections and we were in the Premier section. There was two flights of stairs to take with all our luggage & a vintage elevator that no one could figure out how to use, so up the stairs we went. At least at the top we got to walk by the heated, outdoor pool. We didn’t have time to enjoy it, but we saw other guests having a great time. The staff were friendly and polite and brought up extra amenities quickly when asked. We would 100% stay at this hotel again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill

8/10 Good

"Nice boutique-hotel, good location, close to bus stops or can easily get a Uber. Yes it's close to the Tenderloin neighborhood but I never felt unsafe. Staff was helpful. We appreciated the coffee machine in the lobby. Room was also good overall, spacious and clean would have appreciated and extra chair. A fridge is provided which is a major plus. Shower curtain had littler holes in it. Nothing major but can easily be changes. The bed itself was comfortable and perfectly fine. One small thing I didn’t particularly like was the bedding setup: the comforter was placed between two flat sheets rather than being enclosed in a duvet cover. Overall, I'd say that I recommend this hotel. It's all about managing expectations"

Frequently asked questions

What is Kensington like?

Kensington is a neighbourhood that travellers like for its shopping, restaurants and parks. Are you looking for Kensington travel tips? Make sure that you visit Tilden Regional Park and Blake Garden while you're in the neighbourhood.

How many hotels are there in Kensington?

With 11 Expedia hotels and other accommodation options in Kensington to choose from, this is a good starting point for exploring the greater Berkeley area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Kensington, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel bookings are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, you might still have the option to cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to review the best deals in Kensington.

What are the top things to see and do in Kensington?

Spend some time exploring the natural setting of Kensington with a visit to Tilden Regional Park and Blake Garden. While you're out sightseeing in Berkeley, make sure that you visit other sights such as Tilden Nature Area or Upper Labyrinth.

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Our top choices for Kensington hotels

1. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

2. Hyatt Place Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area

3. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Berkeley by IHG

4. HYATT house Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area

5. Sonesta Emeryville - San Francisco Bay Bridge

6. Hotel Shattuck Plaza

7. Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

8. Hotel Mira Vista

9. Hampton Inn Oakland Downtown-City Center

10. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport

11. Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

12. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

13. Walnut Creek Marriott

14. Executive Inn & Suites Embarcadero Cove

15. Sonesta Select Pleasant Hill

16. Hyatt Regency San Francisco

17. LUMA Hotel San Francisco

18. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

19. Hotel Caza Fisherman´s Wharf

20. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

Where to stay in Kensington

Downtown Oakland

Downtown Berkeley

Albany

Piedmont

West Oakland

Top Kensington Hotel Reviews

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Frequently asked questions

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