Claremont Club & Spa in Bay Area Continues Expanding Wellness Amenities

Iconic Claremont Club & Spa continues to evolve after more than 100 years.

Claremont Club & Spa, located in the Oakland Hills, is the kind of hotel filled with stories. Its very creation, for example, is the story of Bill Thornburg, a farmer-turned-tycoon who purchased 13,000 acres of land to build a castle for his wife and daughter during the early days of the gold rush. And then there’s the chapter on the 1901 fire that burned the castle to the ground after Thornburg sold it to the Ballard family. Perhaps one of the most colorful recollections is of how the property was lost to Frank Havens in a game of chess, after which he began to rebuild in 1905 along with the Claremont Hotel Company. Of course the tale had its twists, namely the 1906 earthquake and financial crisis in 1907, but in 1915 the hotel was officially complete and its doors opened.

More than a century later, the history continues.

Now a part of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts collection, the expansive, picturesque property underwent an extensive renovation, with each of its 276 guest rooms and suites refurbished. The result is a sleek, modern and clean look throughout the property, made possible by KNA Design and Gensler. A welcoming lobby lounge and bar were among the changes, as well as a new Presidential Suite.

The Club at the Claremont has also undergone several upgrades. The private facility, accessible only to members and registered guests, includes three saline pools, 10 newly resurfaced tennis courts and more than 90 fitness classes offered weekly at the fitness center. Members and guests can also take advantage of The Club’s complete free-weight room, Somatics Personal Training, Pilates, Kinesis and Functional Integrated Training studios, and In-Cycling studio, among other amenities. Fairmont Fit is a focus for the hotel in 2020. Claremont is expanding its wellness offerings to include interactive experiences, such as sunrise hikes, sports performance coaching and team-building challenges.

For dining, Claremont has expanded the options as well. The Limewood Bar & Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring ingredients from Northern California’s pantry. If you dine here on a clear day, be sure to request a table outdoors, where you can take in views of the bay. Claremont Lobby Lounge & Bar is the perfect place if you’re in the mood for small bites and a glass of wine or a cocktail. Bayview Café offers poolside dining with a variety of health-conscious offerings. And East Bay Provisions, under the leadership of executive chef Arwi Odense and executive pastry chef A.J. Thalakkat, will showcase traditional cafe essentials with a touch of California flair—a fitting tribute to this timeless landmark. Look for daily bread specials, signature pastries, gourmet sandwiches, handselected wines and local retail.

Also new this year is the hotel’s loyalty program, Accor Live Limitless (ALL), a new lifestyle loyalty program and daily travel companion that integrates rewards, services and experiences throughout Accor.

If you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day destination in your Bay Area backyard, this historical landmark can add some memorable pages to your own story.