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Bancroft Hotel

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Berkeley Wedding Venue
2680 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
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Contact: Special Event & Catering Coordinator
Phone: 510/549-0113
www.bancrofthotel.com
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Bancroft Hotel

Why We Like This Place

Housed in a historic landmark building across the street from the University of California and next door to the Berkeley Art Museum, the Bancroft Hotel has become one of the premier hotels in the East Bay. Originally built in 1928 as the home of the College Women’s Club, it was designed by Walter T. Steilberg, an associate of architect Julia Morgan (of Hearst Castle fame).

After a complete renovation of the property, the Bancroft Hotel had its much-acclaimed grand opening in 1994. Guests admired the handsome public spaces, graced with antiques, vintage-style furniture and period reproductions; furnishings in the Bancroft’s 22 beautifully appointed guest rooms were reproduced from Walter Steilberg’s original drawings, and many of the rooms are enhanced with balconies and views of the bay. There’s an ambiance of timeless elegance, and whether you’re dreaming of a celebration with an air of romantic nostalgia or quiet refinement, the Bancroft Hotel is an absolute must-see.

Most receptions unfold in the Great Hall, a glamorous event space inspired by the turn-of-the-century Arts and Crafts movement. This one-of-a-kind 4,000-square-foot room is lavished with floor-to-ceiling woodwork, period fixtures and stained-glass transoms. Gleaming hardwood floors and lofty ceilings add to the sense of tradition and grandeur, and two giant fireplaces provide warmth and atmosphere. The Hall actually has three distinct sections, which can be used for different aspects of your event. The raised hardwood stage at one end can hold musicians, a dance floor or the head table, while the recessed middle section can be transformed into an intimate dining space. Use the other end for additional reception seating, or for a buffet and bar setup. The Great Hall is not only spacious, but also extremely flexible—you could arrange your party in a variety of ways and still have it work fabulously.

The light and bright Steilberg Conference Room is distinguished by pale, gently curving walls and a magnificent fireplace trimmed in tile and rich mahogany. Windows at one end frame a pleasing view of the city and a slice of the San Francisco Bay in the distance. Another way to savor the vista is to sneak away to the Rooftop Terrace and share a champagne toast with your sweetie.

The Bancroft Hotel does have comfortable and attractive accommodations for your out-of-town relatives and friends—but why not reserve the entire boutique hotel exclusively for you and your guests for a destination weekend? A complete buyout gets you all the event spaces, guest rooms—even the parking lot! In fact, Bancroft Catering can customize all your meals to your liking throughout your stay, so you never really have to leave the hotel at all.

If you plan on “going green” for your wedding, then you’ll appreciate the Bancroft’s environmentally safe cleaning products, luxurious bamboo towels, organic linens and other “green” amenities. Eco-weddings are a specialty, and the in-house culinary team offers earth-friendly tableware alternatives and organic menus. In 2011 all the guest rooms were renovated, and the lobby was redone, too. Check out its new look, featuring custom-designed, recycled tile and American clay walls.

Whether you’re hosting a large bash or a cozy gathering, the Bancroft Hotel is a distinctive indoor wedding site with a conveniently located, yet very serene environment.

Capacity

Ceremony

Reception/Special Events

Meetings

Max. Seated Indoors: 250
Max. Seated Outdoors: 0 		Max. Seated Indoors: 250
Max. Seated Outdoors: 0
Max. Standing Indoors: 300
Max. Standing Outdoors: 0 		Max. Seated: 250

CEREMONY CAPACITY: Indoors, up to 250 seated guests. Three tiered sections in the Great Hall available for smaller groups to have more intimate gatherings.

EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: The facility holds 175–250 seated guests (depending on whether or not a dance floor is required), or 300 for a standing reception.

MEETING CAPACITY: The hotel accommodates 250 seated theater-style.

Fees & Deposits

To secure your date, the entire rental fee is required as a deposit when you sign your contract. The rental fee runs $800–2,000 and varies depending on the season and day of week. The entire hotel is available for a buyout. Luncheons start at $19/person, dinners at $36/person. Tax, alcohol and service charge are additional.

Availability

Year-round, daily, anytime.

Catering

Provided

Alcohol

Provided

Location Uses

Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Special Events, Parties
Business Functions/Meetings
Rehearsal Dinners
On-Site Accommodations

Services/Amenities

Catering: provided
Kitchen Facilities: n/a
Tables & Chairs: provided
Linens, Silver, etc.: CBA, extra charge
Restrooms: wheelchair accessible
Dance Floor: provided
Bride’s Dressing Area: CBA
Meeting Equipment: banquet tables, flip charts, extra fee for TV/VCR and overhead projector
Parking: adjacent lot or valet CBA
Accommodations: 22 guest rooms
Telephone: emergency use only
Outdoor Night Lighting: CBA
Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no
Cleanup: provided
View: SF Bay and Berkeley hills
Other: event coordination available

Amplified Music

Indoors
w/ Restrictions

Wheelchair Access

Access Limited

Site Views

Hills
Ocean/Bay

Venue Type

Banquet Hall/Events Facility
Historic/Landmark Building
Hotel

Restrictions

Alcohol: provided
Smoking: not allowed
Music: amplified OK until 10:30pm unless all guest rooms are booked by client
Wheelchair Access: event space only
Insurance: not required


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