Durant Hotel

Since its opening day on September 29, 1928, Hotel Durant has been a hotel designed for the community, serving as a meeting place for locals and UC Berkeley academics alike. The Hotel Durant, designed by the architectural firm of William Weeks, opened with a gala celebration to introduce local residents, merchants, and civic leaders to Berkeley’s first luxury hotel. The cost to complete the initial structure was estimated at $400,000 – an enormous undertaking for its time. No expense was spared to make the Durant an attractive and desirable hotel. Every modern convenience was included to ensure guest comfort, including desk telephones, individual radio plugs, and elevator service amenities that were only found in the very best hotels of the era. The hotel was named after Henry Durant, the first President of the University of California. Though transformed since opening in 1928, Hotel Durant continues to be a local landmark that brings a distinct sense of classic pride and local Berkeley charm to every guest who walks through its doors.