B-Love's Guest House

B-Love’s Guest House is an oasis that is hard to write a review for. Nestled in the heart of West Oakland, “B-Love” hosts a part-hostel, part-private accommodation that seems to be able to meet any need, and has met mine for 1+ month in multiple stays now. In the two times I stayed here while commuting through the Bay Area, it was a gamble who I could share my kitchen or bathroom with.. but I always felt at peace as soon as I arrived. The “vibe” is curated as much as the artist hosting the space. “B-Love” stays around the home sometimes like a caring manager rather than an overbearing landlord. It was always good to see her around to update her on house supplies, or just to hang out. She is a wealth of knowledge and history that comes along with the guest house and beautiful garden. However, she is also not in your business overall so if I ever wanted to ask for an accommodation in my room, or a question about the house, she was readily available on email or phone and happy to answer, as well as the other workers who are around regularly to clean up and help. The home sits in the heart of West Oakland, which might not have the best grocery stores, but you will encounter 3-story murals of the Women of the Black Panthers on the way to the Black-owned co-op grocery store (Mandela). You can also learn what a “food desert” is when they close at 8pm if you’re carless, but you can also learn the goodness of local shopping when you hit the local liquor store (Sharif’s) that makes sure to have your avocados and tortillas all the same. I would stay at B-Love’s again and again. I miss the garden when I stay miles away visiting the Bay Area. Thank you for always catching me in my travels!

Staying at B-Loves Guest house felt like staying my aunties home. The space was filled with love, warmth, creativity, and history. The location was perfect. I was able to get to all of the historical places and spaces that I wanted visit. Traci the owner was very knowledgeable, vibrant and down to earth. The community that she created is very supportive. I was on a solo trip and I felt very safe and comfortable there I would definitely stay there again.

Traci was incredibly accommodating and our interactions were welcoming. She was very prompt with communicating and there wasn't any additional amenities or assistance I needed beyond the initial check-in and connection to wifi. The only thing I would say is that I stayed in the upstairs unit and it is sooo beautiful and comfy, but I didn't understand why I needed to use the kitchen in the downstairs unit when there was a full kitchen upstairs. It didn't really end up being an issue because I did not cook and I had a mini fridge in my room. There is a microwave upstairs and in one of the rooms that was adjoined to me. The back yard is so cute and cozy and I would take advantage of it, if you have time. I loved sitting in the sun and reading a book. I also appreciated that there was a washer and dryer, iron, and ironing board there, if needed. The neighborhood is also cute, quiet, walkable, and I felt very safe. All in all, it was a lovely experience and a comfortable stay. I will be booking with B Love's Guest house every time I visit Oakland moving forward.

B-Love's is my favorite place to stay when I'm in Oakland. It's a true oasis of down-to-earth California hospitality where you're always sure to meet interesting folks, and you can just unwind & relax in the beautiful garden. Highly recommend!

Our cast of THE JOY RIDE came from Los Angeles to perform our show and stayed there. They had an absolutely incredible experience! Thank you for your phenomenal and exquisite space you have created that gives so much nourishment to others! I can't wait to stay there myself soon. With Appreciation, Jesse Bliss and The Roots and Wings Project

We had 3 guests stay at B Love’s guest house for an event we produced, and it was an absolute pleasure! Traci was so kind, communicative, and accommodating, and showed our guests and ourselves such a great time with her. The house has so much history within the walls, from the photographs she took herself as a professional photographer documenting historical moments, to the different rooms showcasing individual personality. This house fosters community interaction and allows for people to connect easily. Traci even came out to our event to support our Black History month cause. Wonderful stay and couldn’t recommend more!

As an artist and someone who needed to experience a refreshing solitude that embraces my creativity, I found B-Loves guest house amenities to be a prime location for that. I was greeted with an opportunity to enjoy that in this space. Not to mention notable events that brings community together!

I had a lovely time! The space is adorable and that garden is just divine. I loved sitting out there, enjoying the sun and taking in all the fresh air. I also loved the beautiful art that’s everywhere. The owner is a renowned artist and it shows. And she was an excellent host !! I had a wonderful time. My only complaint is that I couldn’t stay longer, but I will definitely be back.

Friendly host and a beautiful Victorian home. She was accommodating to her guests and kept a peaceful garden in the back.

This lovely guesthouse in Oakland host 2+ nights airbnb style stay with a wonderful garden at the back and other shared facilities needed. It's in a great location closed to a bart station to SF or San Jose. Very convenient. The owner was very nice and caring. I enjoyed the stay and her gallery, gaden, etc. love this place!! Truly home sweet home. Totally recommend!!

I had the pleasure to stay at B-Love's Guesthouse in West Oakland and immediately fell in love with the energy of the house and sprawling outdoor garden. The property is centrally located between San Francisco, downtown Oakland, Emeryville, and Berkeley. I encourage you to walk the neighborhood before you pass judgement on the location. It is a lively and safe area. Transit accessibility is great: less than 3 blocks away is a BayWheels Bikes, AC Transit #14 bus stop and the West Oakland Bart station. The owner and legendary photojournalist, Traci Bartlow, is a charismatic host and has curated a relaxing yet uplifting experience at her boutique hotel. Its a mix of art gallery, urban garden and bed and breakfast. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a place to make yourself at home and meet other curious and conscientious travelers. Come for the art and stay for the trees.

I stayed at B love's guest house for three weeks and I couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome to the Bay Area. My room was very comfortable and had everything that I needed (a desk, bed, dresser, and even nails to hang up my artwork). Every night the bay breeze would carry in wonderful scents from the garden in the back. There are special plants growing, fruits, vegetables and even sunflowers. Each day I would practice meditation in the quiet of the garden and was often visited by hummingbirds, butterflies, and other citizens of nature. The men working at the house were incredible personal, helpful, and genuine. Speaking to them every morning reminded me how "blessed" I really am. The house is located just a few blocks from West Oakland BART and a really awesome food co-op. I really enjoyed my stay and I would recommend it to anyone interested in visiting the Bay Area.

I should have read all the review especially 2 stars review! Be warned! This place is noisy!!!! Traci, the owner of B love, live upstairs with her family and they make noise close to midnight! Walking with loud noise making shoes! Constantly dropping things on the hard wood floor! I was sleep deprivation during my stay! I have lived in big cities so noise doesn't bother me all that much but this place! This place sucks!!! And Traci doesn't even give a shit! A couple occasions I texted to quite down at 1130 pm! She said sorry but nothing changed! Also this place smells like mildew!! I am sure that there are some carcinogenic fungus! Gross! As I was walking out on my last day, I was sooo happy not to go back!!

I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS PLACE, but my experience was pretty bad. Pros: It's clean, Traci is friendly, it is centrally located (sort of), and very chill. Cons: It can be loud, only one bathroom to share, and neighborhood is not the best. My experience: I stayed on a Monday and Tuesday night. I was given a room right next to the only other person staying there at the time. (first mistake- I should have been given a room down the hall) Unfortunately, this other guest seemed to be staying long term worked the grave yard shift. This guy set his alarm so it would go off at midnight each night. However, he had already left for work at like 9:00 pm! So here I was trying to get to sleep when the damn alarm clock would go off. I called the emergency number, but it took Traci like 20 minutes to finally get the message, run downstairs and turn the damn thing off. Here's the kicker...it happened the second night too. Christ on a cracker, I was pissed! Lastly, I get home and am reviewing my bank accounts and see that I have been charged twice for my stay at B-Love's Guest House. Sweet Baby Jesus! Help me have patience. I am sure there will be no problem getting the money back, but I'm pissed that it happened in the first place. So, that is my experience folks.

I stayed at B-Love's for a month and it felt like home! A great place to stay, especially if you're new to the area. I loved spending time in the backyard. There is a beautiful mural and great vegetable garden( first time I saw a kale tree and a passion fruit vine). Everyone who stayed at the house while I was there was very friendly. I recommend this place to all my friends and family who come to the Bay Area.

Traci is a great host and very professional. The guest house is lovely, beautiful backyard, and quiet. Highly recommend staying here! It's super close to all downtown, restaurants, nightlife, etc. It was an easy drive to SF and parking was never an issue. There's a washer and dryer and it's also super clean. Thank you Traci!

I felt very fortunate to secure a room at this hostel during a very large conference in downtown Oakland, especially given that it is the only hostel I could find in Oakland and the hotel rates were 2-3 times more expensive. Traci is very friendly, helpful and accomodating, and the feel of the place was somewhere between that of a hostel and a bed and breakfast because of the private rooms and her presence. I didn't have time during my visit to explore the grounds, but I found the amenities to be simple but adequate, and I especially appreciated the wifi. Although I rated five stars, based on Traci doing everything in her power to make this a five star experience, I have to admit that the area, and the mile walk to downtown, didn't feel completely safe, although Traci did her best to suggest the best route and transporation options like BART located four blocks to the south and serving downtown. I still consider it an acceptable risk for myself and wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

Bloves Guesthouse was an amazing experience. Ms. Traci gave great service. Place was clean. The atmosphere very welcoming and full of positive energy. Very accomodating, the backyard space was amazing. Beautiful home. Beautiful people. Eternally grateful for our week stay.

I stayed at the West Oakland Hostel in June 2010. I was looking for an affordable place close to a seminar I was attending and was pleased to find a comfortable and affordable option in the West Oakland Hostel. The owner, Traci, is a kind and professional woman who welcomed me and made me feel right at home. The hostel is in a beautiful Victorian house, and was very cozy! I highly recommend that you stay here if you're in the Bay Area, and you may see me because I'll definitely be back! :) Thanks Traci for a great experience! :)

B-Love's Guest house is most definitely an oasis in a truly urban setting. The website makes it clear that if you're a traveler, you'll appreciate the diversity that is this neighborhood. While the neighborhood can appear rough, it's not like parts of SF! Like all big city areas, just be aware and you'll find the neighbors to be as friendly as any other place you'll visit. Close to Bart, Jack London Sq and Downtown Oakland, there is plenty to do if you're just passing through this Raiders town. There a couple of pretty cool coffee shops within walking distance too, along with dollar store for cheap eats. The big draw is the serenity of the place, including the very peaceful backyard, which comes with a bbq pit, garden and sun deck. That's where you unwind...or watch tv in the quit living room, with other guests, a bottle of wine, or cook yourself a meal in the kitchen. Traci is most definitely a gracious host and the longer term guests are friendly and helpful, too. I've met all kinds of cool folks here and they're now on my facebook...oh boy, I said it..FB...So yeah, I give the Guest House a big thumbs up!

In looking for a place to lodge a collaborating artist from New Orleans, I had a difficult time finding something within my budget, close to the Malonga Center in downtown Oakland, and close to BART. I didn't want my guest, who hadn't been to the bay in over 20 years, to stay at a chain hotel because I wanted him to get a sense of the town. Then it occurred to me that Traci Bartlow, an artist herself, owned a B&B/guest house in West Oakland. I contacted Traci (she was always quick to return my calls) for some basic info after visiting the website. It was perfect-- the garden, the location (four blocks from West Oakland BART, one stop from downtown Oakland and downtown SF going in either direction), the rooms, the kitchen, the cleanliness, wifi access, etc. The guest house is in a neighborhood where neighbors seem to look out for one another, but as with anywhere, you must be aware of your surroundings if you are not from the area. My guest thoroughly enjoyed his time at B-Love's Guest House; he found it extremely warm and inviting. During his four day stay, he took in the peace and quiet of the beautiful garden, chatted it up with the long-term tenant, met a photographer who was staying there who just happen to be in Oakland for the same event we were participating in, found his way around on BART, etc. He had nothing but good things to say about Ms. Traci. So much so, that I arranged for him to stay there again when he had to return two months later. As an artist who will be bringing other artists to the bay for collaborations, I will gladly continue to do business with Ms. Traci. As a matter of fact, my guest from New Orleans will be staying there again February 2013. Thanks for providing this service to the community, Ms. Traci.

the West Oakland Hostel is a good place. Traci runs the facility from her house in oakland, and she is a very nice person. i stayed there for two nights in august. Some good things about the West Oakland Hostel are that the nightly rate is cheaper than a hotel, plus there is opportunity to meet interesting people, plus there is less chemical products in the living environment than you will find in a hotel. i was nervous to walk on the street there late at night, but inside Traci's house was a very safe environment, and the streets during the day were okay. i was visiting oakland from minnesota, so it was it was new for me to see oakland and some people had warned me, "ohh its so dangerous there" but i generally felt very comfortable there....except for i wouldn't have wanted to be on the streets after 10pm or midnight.

This is more than just a hostel, its a Jem! Hardwood floors, clean and cozy kitchen, great bathroom and good vibes. The two weeks we visited, we really felt at ease and comfortable. Traci was always available and there was this great garden outside that we would visit in the morning. Easy access to Bart and all the major freeways. Definitely would make another stay there again! Big Up

I was excited to go to this hostel and, because of that, didn't mind extending my trip one night because of the two night requirement. I have a home that I would like to do the same with I and I wanted to get some ideas. I had seen a picture of a pretty room with windows and nice furniture but after I paid for two nights I was led to a basement room. I was unprepared for the room I was led to. If I had been prepared I might not have been so taken aback but I truly felt as if I had been taken by misleading advertising. The other tenants seemed really nice and the owner was polite and accommodating, I don't want to be negative because I read other reviews and other people seemed to have really enjoyed this hostel. I wish I could report differently as I love the concept and idea of an artist opening her home as a hostel. I must say even though the owner was busy she was kind and took time to answer questions. I am sure if I had been more aware of the disparity between the different rooms available I would've told the owner what I could and couldn't live in. I did not stay the second night but found different accommodations even though I had prepaid for both nights. I must admit this has made me a little less trusting of advertising and people's reviews.

I do some international business with performing artists and sometimes I need a cool place for them to stay. Something that we can afford, that's safe, and close to all the events and local attractions. This is a great guest house because it's very close to the West Oakland BART station with direct lines to Downtown and Uptown Oakland, and San Francisco. It's very clear and has a great feel for artists. It's not for the HIGH maintenance type but more for the Artist who like to get a feel for the city. This is place has just that. A kitchen to cook in and clean bathroom to share. There's a GREAT garden, performance stage, and workout area right in the backyard. Lot's of Bay Area Sunshine and air. The owner Traci is very nice, and also an artist, so she knows how to treat the guest. Plus I hear she a great cook. :) I have some people coming in from Germany and Amsterdam that will stay for 2 weeks in the winter and the B-Love guest house is first on the list.

I stayed at the guest house for 3 weeks in January while I transitioned from my move to CA from FL. I stayed at the Imperial Towers before in Oakland which was an absolute disaster. Then I moved here which was a breath of fresh air. The owner is extremely polite and upon check-in quickly goes over all you need to know about the place and area. The rooms are spacious, the bathroom is clean, the wifi is fast. The outside area was nice to chat and smoke should you make friends with the other guests as I did. There is a laundry machine and dryer if you need to do laundry. The kitchen is also equipped if you want to cook or just put some leftovers in the fridge. My only reservation is that the walls are thin and it can get cold at night, but nothing a pair of headphones and comfy pajamas didn't fix. Close to the Bart which made is extremely accessible to explore San Francisco and Oakland. There is a Dollar store close by to buy any snacks, toiletries, or groceries. There is also a good papusa place close by which my roommates were raving about. The surrounding neighborhood at first intimidated me, but I quickly learned that the people were very friendly or to themselves. I enjoyed my stay at B-Love's guest house. It was very quaint, friendly, and enjoyable while I searched for a home in the city. Highly recommend to anybody making a similar transition or needs a place to stay at a good rate.

had a great stay @ Bs place this summer close to bart , easy to get to , central to all point in oakland , thank you traci