We LOVED staying here on our vacation! I will definitely be returning and Jake who works front desk was awesome.. He made our experience the best! I loved how the pool was open till midnight on the weekends too. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love the retro decor. I love the bahn mi shop right across the street from the hotel. Love the warm pool. Love the water filling station so I don't have to go to the corner store to buy bottled water. Love the included parking. Love the attentiveness of the front desk folks in making sure their guests feel safe and welcome because we are in the heart of the TL. Water pressure was a little weak. I read there's no AC in the summer which may deter me. And at the time I booked it, it was the cheapest hotel in SF that wasn't a sh*thole. Including parking! read more

See all

Stayed here for my birthday weekend a few days ago. Very retro, great heated pool. It was quiet the weekend we were there so no complaints on the noise levels. Just wish we had a microwave and fridge in the room. And like the other posts, if you're not used to being in the nitty gritty of the city DO NOT STAY HERE. It doesn't bother me none, but there is a lot of homeless and other things of that nature in this entire neighborhood. Otherwise you are completely safe once behind the gated door. I would definitely stay here again. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love this organization and have stayed at several of the properties. Each property is different and unique. Unfortunately, this is my least favorite. The hotel itself is cute. It sits in the heart of the Tenderloin district and is convenient for walking to many areas including Hayes and Union Square. There are lots of new and realky good restaurants within walking distance also. The hotel has it's own restaurant and Free Parking. Check in-5 Stars Early checkin and I was greeted with friendly smiles. Pool-4 Stars! Small but deep pool in the center of the grounds. Saturday Night Stay/Lack of Consideration-0 Stars! My little one and I were kept awake. Whe. I called and checked the webpage, no one mentioned therw would be large hotel parties. Profanity, arguments and glass breaking occured right outside our door well past midnight. There is no phone so I walked to the front office which was empty. Sunday morning at checkout, I mentioned this and a comment was made that Saturdays are a bit rowdy. This was never told to me up front and that entire evening just sucked. NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD..or anyone. I called twice after my stay and asked for a manager to no avail. Another negative for me. My experience is not indicative of the other properties where I stayed. read more

See all

Revisited Phoenix due to a friend's birthday. She was turning 31, so it seemed perfect that they assigned us room 31! I believe the room was a studio suite as it had a two beds, a mini fridge, microwave, living room area, projector & screen, and was on the pool level. Perfect for a chill bday get together. The fridge fits a good amount of beers if you stack them well. And the room was clean with a retro chic vibe. I used to come to Phoenix hotel a lot back in the day. (About 8-10 years ago?) The pool has always been a great spot to hang out and drink. That hasn't changed, but they've made great additions such as the modern fire place/pit. It looks much cleaner and nicer. The area around Phoenix may not be the most desirable, but once you walk into the hotel, you forget all about that. It's just all chill and fun. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Room 31: Beds - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came in late and needed a place to stay. Orlando was quick and super helpful! Shout out Orlando! Clean place!

What a pleasant stay I had these last few days. Obviously this is a real Rock n roll hotel with quaint rooms and an amazing heated pool. Orlando made our stay even more awesome he is friendly, informative and is forthcoming with lots of interesting stories about the hotel. He let us know about getting pool towels in the front and about the DJ's on all the current events. Chambers bar is right there so drinks and food are readily available. The rooms are small and quaint. It's a lovely hotel. read more

See all

Don't judge a book by it's cover... or location. I was pleasantly surprised by the Phoenix Hotel as it's located in the Tenderloin where the area can be a little rough and dirty. The business itself is kept up and the courtyard is perfect for lounging or enjoying a cocktail. If you want to strut your newest dance moves or sit and mingle with friends, their bar/restaurant area fits the bill and they have a full service menu if you get hungry as well. The rooms were modern, the beds were comfortable and their pool was heated regardless of what time of the year if you wanted to take a swim. Free wifi was also available and they even had a place to park your cars (if you drove) which seems like an odd feature to highlight when writing about a hotel. But this is a San Francisco, so things are expensive and pretty much non-existant if you can find them. Only negative with this place is that the rooms don't have air conditioning. If it's warm, you're gonna be sleeping with the windows open and utilizing the ceiling fan. It's not terrible when the temps are in the 70's/low 80's, but when it's sweltering, I can imagine it'd be a little unpleasant. Also note, if you sleep with the windows open, you'll for sure hear sirens and random homeless people shouting at the top of their lungs at 3AM. If you can get past that... then you'll be fine. It's super secure and they watch who comes in and out pretty closely. Complimentary coffee, donuts and pastries were available each morning and if you were really craving something specific, there were some really great options within walking distance or delivered with a few quick swipes on your favorite app. The courtyard is quite lovely and it appears they have a variety of activities for guests and thes surrounding community to partake in for a small fee. When we were leaving they were doing yoga, and the night before a curated artists gallery. Pretty rad. I'd for sure stay here again! read more

See all

I booked on hotels tonight and could not be happier with my stay at Phoenix Hotel! This is a well curated, clean and friendly hotel that feels very cool and the price point is great. The Tenderloin district is has some really great cocktail bars nearby (BIIG, @89_turk) and Pacific Cocktail Haven, and the hotel offers FREE PARKING, which was an awesome bonus considering most hotels charge at least $50/night to park if it's even offered at all. In Tenderloin, there are people who live on the street. It's a city. It's not a big deal. I didn't feel unsafe walking around with my girlfriend. No one is out to get you. If you've ever been to a big city I wouldn't worry about it. The hotel was quiet at night and the bedding was soft and lovely. I slept well. The staff were helpful and friendly and we mayyyy have purchased all the merch in the lobby (great branding)! We didn't eat or drink at the restaurant because it wasn't really the vibe we were looking for but it looked good. Overall, I had a great stay and will be back next time I am in San Francisco! read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

We LOVE the Phoenix Hotel!! My husband and I recently stayed here for two nights mid-week in October for our wedding at SF City Hall just a few blocks away. Our stay was nothing short of amazing. First off, Orlando is the best. He made us feel so welcome upon arrival. But really, all the staff was great and really made our time special including an upgrade to the Headliner suite. While we had been a bit nervous about the location when we booked it, turns out this was no big deal. We felt super safe the entire time. Yes, there's a noise factor throughout the night but that's what I'd expect staying in the heart of San Francisco. The pool is amazing! Wish we had more time to have enjoyed it. And lastly, where else can you find free parking in SF?! Only great things to say about Phoenix Hotel and we hope to come back for a stay in the future. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm a total sucker for the look of colorful old school motels like this. The Phoenix mixes those retro vibes with updated, comfy rooms, making it an awesome spot to take an "eclectic" trip without worrying about a not-so-great hotel experience. Stayed here for two nights with a group and had a total blast--here's my breakdown of pros and cons to staying at The Phoenix. PROS // + Like I said, it's super cute. The outside pool area is especially photo-worthy. + Speaking of pools, they have a little rad one. It was heated at 80°, which was perfect for those chilly SF summers. + Chambers, the bar/restaurant attached to The Phoenix, is rad. They had killer DJs both nights we were there, and the bar is pretty big if you're looking for a spot to bring a group. + Beds are comfy and the rooms are clean and fairly updated. CONS // + When I say the rooms are fairly updated, I mean they could also benefit from a little love. The bathrooms are just fine but occasionally have that old hotel smell to them, and everyone seemed to find their room hot and stuffy. + The 'hood. This is right in the middle of The Tenderloin, so I wouldn't plan on doing a whole lot of walking at night (although the hotel itself felt very safe to me). + You can't hang out by the pool after 10 pm, even if you're a guest and you're being quiet. Wasn't a huge deal, but the aforementioned stuffy rooms and iffy neighborhood made it so a later pool hang could've been cool. All in all a hip, fun place to stay. I'd definitely come back with the right group! read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been to the bar a few times before in the evening and have always liked the space. Once was a party after an all star baseball game and I met Derek Jeter (just had to throw that in there). This time it was for a pool party. I wasn't sure what to expect at a pool party in cold SF, but the weather was actually pretty nice. The place has a great retro style which reminded me of Miami. The bartender in the front bar was really friendly and made my day when he pointed out that they had a frozè machine! The music was cool and the crowd was great for people watching. It was fleet week so it added a lot to the cool factor that the Blue Angels were flying right above! If you get the opportunity to go to one of their events, do it. read more

See all

Ok this place was great. I'm from LA and I came for a visit in SF for my first time ever! I got to the front desk were I asked where I should park (half the lot was closed of) and the black male at the front helped me asap. I checked in with no worries & felt so welcomed! The guy even told my boyfriend & I to settle in the room and come down so he could get us a map of places to visit! He was super genuine and sweet which already made me feel so comfortable in the hotel. The room was clean, heating system worked, blinds made the room very dark & the bed was comfortable. The only bad thing about it was the noise. You can hear everything thats going on outside (we stayed in the 2nd floor.) The courtyard closes at 12 AM Fri/Sat, so we assumed it'd be rowdy. We fell asleep around 8 PM & woke up to people talking & music. Nothing to be too mad about though, what can you do? We didn't really mind it because by 12AM it was quiet out. The neighborhood is dangerous if you're not use to it. Lots of addicts and bums, but pay them no attention & you'll be fine. Free parking was a plus! Besides the area & rowdiness, it was a very good hotel & I'll absolutely be coming back in the summer!!! The Pool looked amazing! read more

See all

Cute old school 50's era hotel. The Courtyard and pool are great. The walls and windows however are old and thin and you can hear the street noise and people partying by the pool all night. Really annoying. Its 4am as i type this and there is a group of loud idiots hanging out outside. No fan or AC in the room either to help drown out noise. The neighborhood is dreadful (not the hotels fault) but I probably won't be a returning customer. read more

While the atmosphere is fun and hip the hotel staff is volatile. When I checked in and during my stay there things were fine As I checked out it was after noon and I said I needed a late check out because my husbands ran to the bank and took the car. They were less than accommodating they kicked me out of the room and had me sitting outside with all my bags and belongings They called the cops and made a scene Luckily my husband arrived just as the police did. Never going back The walls are thin and privacy is scarce There is no A/C in the room read more

We checked in late last night for two nights. We found the most genuine host, Theo, at the front desk hanging out behind the counter. He was warm and sincere. He made us feel welcomed. He also shared some lore about the Phoenix hotel, regarding Kurt Cobain. I have not checked into a hotel ever, where I was made to feel this welcomed. This is my new place to stay when eta I come back to the city. Thanks Theo. read more

I absolutely cannot recommend this place enough, the suite was gorgeous, comfy beds, the staff was amazing, specifically Auggie. I will also be leaving a review for Chambers Eat + Drink, because Auggie is magic. He is what makes this place work the way it does. We had our wedding reception at Chambers Eat and Drink and all of our guests stayed at Phoenix Hotel the night before and night of. The hotel was so accommodating with all of them, it's close to so many things and the staff is 11/10. read more

Staff are really nice people, rooms are big, kewl radio in the room

I struggled with how I wanted to rate this hotel but it ultimately came down to service, which was stellar. We stayed here on recommendation from a friend who stayed a month prior to us and it won us over with the fact that it had ~free~ parking. Typically, when we are in the area we stay in or near Union but are familiar with the Tenderloin. Basically, we knew what to expect from the area. If we were older, if we had a family with us, if we weren't use to "urban" areas and all the good and bad that comes along with it we probably wouldn't stay here. (Our main reason was the proximity to the Bill Graham Auditorium, by the way). I can appreciate what they're doing, revamping a once prominent motel. Upgrading the aesthetic but keeping parts of its history alive. I ran into a few hiccups with attempting to use their online site as there seemed to be an issue with their reservation system. No big deal, stuff happens. I called them probably 3 or 4 times over the course of the weekend because I received several confirmations and I'm neurotic. Anyways, every time I spoke to someone you can tell they actually cared and promised to get things squared away, one way or another. And that's what pushed this review to the 5 stars. Every single staff member here (and the restaurant) seemed genuinely happy to have you as a guest. I think we crossed paths with 4 different staff members and each one seemed stoked to have you as a guest. That being said, I think our (or my as the others in my group didn't seem to care) biggest con was the noise level coming from the street at night. I don't consider myself a light sleeper but it took forever for my to fall asleep. I didn't think to ask but ear plugs probably would be a great idea! Regardless, I'd come again for the price, cleanliness, proximity to the auditorium and staff! read more

Love the retro vibe! The facility was very clean and the beds quite comfy. The staff was very friendly and helpful . . . especially Ashley! My wife was having radiation treatments at UCSF Mission Bay so we stayed here for a week. The location was close to the hospital and a short Uber ride to most activities. The Orpheum is just down the street so we saw Hamilton as well as enjoyed many great restaurants. This hotel is a great value especially with free parking!!! read more

See all

What a special spot. The area is a little iffy but the hotel is secure, the staff are available at any time, and the ambience of the hotel is warm and fun. Orlando checked us in and he was so nice! The beds are nice, each bed had 4 pillows which I really appreciated. The rooms are clean and moderately updated and have a funky vibe. The bathrooms are clean, up to date, and the towels are fluffy; they even offer fun robes. The pool area is wonderful. We didn't use the pool but the water is warm and others were enjoying it. I will absolutely be returning! read more

See all

Great experience and overall dope vibe! We will definitely be back during the summer to have the full experience with the pool and day parties. read more

Came here for a poolside day party this past Sunday and had a blast! The space is pretty big and it's cool that it is right in the center of all the rooms. Gives you a retro type of feel. The drink prices here are fair as well and you never have an issue getting to the bar which is great. Only downside is the bathroom situation here for this specific event - they have a very small selection of porta-potties to use and when you're hosting a packed event, the wait times can definitely get pretty long. read more

Havent's stayed here in a while but it is a cool place. Better prices than a lot and real close to civic center but not too sketchy. Right behind the big scary federal building. Nice pool and bbq. read more

I've stayed in the Pheonix hotel 4 or 5 times now and it's my go to every time I am in the city. My favorite things are having a safe place to park my car, the awesome retro decor, and above all the amazing staff. It's located within a block of my favorite breakfast spot in the city Brenda's where I always get the crawfish beignets (seriously, do yourself a favor and try them!) and also within walking distance to several other great restaurants like Fishmandu Sushi, and their own Chambers restaurant on site. I am pretty convinced that this hotel is haunted but in a very hilarious and fun way. Every time I stay there something quirky, hilarious and unexplainable happens. I won't get into the details but I'll say these ghosts have certainly got a sense of humor and I've taken quite a liking to them. I'd like to give a special shout out to my favorite staff Greg, and Orlando, and sweet Sam who always supply endless sunshine in their smiles, warmth and silly antics. Staying at the Pheonix always feels like coming home to see the family and I recommend it to anyone coming into the city looking to have a good time. I do not recommend this place if you are looking for a quiet night, or if you lack a sense of vision or humor. Bouchie asshats should take a pass. However, if you're looking for a great time--this is definitely the place for you! 5/5 Yamtastic. One piece of advice though---always make sure you have way more keys than you think you need. read more

I haven't stayed here since COVID days, but they were awesome. I left a good amount of weed there and someone took it. What did fine folks at The Phoenix do? They replaced the weed. What the fuck else do you need to know? read more

Really great little hotel smack dab in the middle of downtown San Francisco (Tenderloin). The property has a quirky, retro-chic feel that plays well with the old motor inn vibe. I love a great revival, and they did a good job with this one. The hotel is adjacent to a restaurant called Chambers that features new Americana cuisine. The hotel and the restaurant are separate business that share the courtyard area. The hotel does not have room service or any food and beverage outlets, so Chambers makes for a convenient choice. The pool is heated and maintains an 80-85 degree temperature year-round. There are fresh towels in the covered bin outside of Room 13. There is plenty of patio furniture. The pool area is very inviting and looks like a fun place for friends to lounge and congregate. The front desk reception area is manned 100% of the time. However, I called a few times early in the morning (sometime between 4-5 am hotel time) on the day that I was travelling to San Francisco and got the general voicemail each time. So that's something to think about if you're travelling in from the East coast and want to ask a few questions super early in the morning. The front desk staff are SUPER nice and very very very welcoming. I had the pleasure of interacting with Andrea and Mike quite a few times during my stay. They were like front desk agents/concierges/tour guides. Each were extremely knowledgeable of the city and gave great restaurant and entertainment recommendations that were tailored to our preferences. It was like being escorted around by savvy locals (even though they weren't with us on our adventures). The room decor was definitely a nod to vintage charm. The bedding was of high quality and quite comfortable. We stayed in a room with two double beds. There was no mini-frige, but there was a coffee-maker with complimentary coffee. There's complimentary wi-fi. Another great perk is that each room comes with one parking spot. There's no additional nightly parking charge. The room was pretty quiet most of the time. However, there was a private event at Chambers on the first night of our stay so there was a large, loud crowd in the courtyard. The noise from the courtyard absolutely echos and can be easily heard from the rooms. It didn't bother me one bit, but it's something to consider if you don't like noise. There is quite a bit of homelessness in the neighborhood, so you will encounter some interesting and colorful characters when walking to and from the hotel. Since we were two ladies, the front desk staff were pretty good about telling us which streets to avoid. They suggested that we walked more "scenic routes" when walking to popular places like Union Square. This didn't bother me one bit and we had ZERO issues when walking around the neighborhood, but I figured I'd mention it if that type of thing makes you nervous. Overall, this is a great hotel...super unique property with a cool, hip vibe. I would definitely stay here again and would recommend it to friends. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Phoenix Hotel = reasonably priced boutique hotel in the heart of the city with FREE PARKING. O__O I've had the chance to visit the Phoenix for the Do Over and for dinner at Chambers. Just last week, my family and I needed to book an emergency stay in the city, and The Phoenix offered the best price for a last minute booking. I was able to go online the night before my reservation and provided my room preference and expected time of arrival. I arrived a few minutes after 3pm and parked directly in the parking lot. I wasn't exactly sure where the front office was, so I rounded the corner on foot and was chased down by an employee who thought I was trying to take advantage of the parking lot. Honest mistake, given parking in downtown SF is $$$$. Check in was quick and easy, and we made our way to our ground floor room. There are only two floors at the hotel. The size of the room and bathroom were decent for accommodations in city. Complimentary ear plugs were provided, but I did end up hearing the couple next door to me getting intimate around 6pm =/. That was probably the most unpleasant part of my stay, aside from the loud fan in the bathroom. My brother ordered some ramen through the Postmates app for dinner, but there are plenty of food options close by if you feel like exploring. In the morning from 7am-10am, there was a complimentary continental breakfast including some cute pastries and coffee/tea. The Phoenix is one of the few, if not the only hotel in San Francisco with an outdoor heated pool. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to take a dip, due to El Nino. There were an umbrella and room heater in the room, which both came in handy during our stay. We wanted to catch the Warrior game on TV, but they didn't have CSN Bay Areas so we had to stream it online. No biggie, just had to view it on a smaller screen. I would recommend the Phoenix Hotel for anyone looking for a hip hotel and affordable stay in San Francisco. If you're not local, do be weary that the hotel is located in the Tenderloin district, so do your research. There are some trade-offs involved. That free parking though! read more

See all

Eye opening Hotel with tons of history located right in the smack dab of the Tenderloin. You really get a feel for what life is like in the area with walking distance to plenty of surrounding activities. Loved the outside area but it closed after hours and they're really strict about being quite after a certain time you can't even stand outside your door lol. The room was nice tho but couldn't find ac maybe just a thing there. Awesome experience overall and don't forget to check out Chambers Bar. read more

See all

Came to one of the poolside day parties. Depending on when you buy your ticket, you can pay anywhere from $25 to $45. My friends and I paid $40 for admission to see Moon Boots do a DJ set. You can sit poolside by the pool/dip your feet in but you can't use the pool unless you're staying at the hotel. Beers were $8, well cocktails were $10, brand name liquor was $10+. Short wait to get a drink towards the beginning of the party but took forever towards the end of the day. It was my first day party so it was cute and all. But if we're paying money to get in, I feel like they'd offer a better bathroom option than what was maybe 8 portapotties in their smoking area. Around 2/3pm I had a relatively short wait to use a portapotty but during the last couple of hours, you had to wait at least 10-15 minutes in line just to use the bathroom. Total deal breaker. read more

Neat little place. The staff were delightful. Sure the neighborhood is a bit rough, so what. We felt safe enough and walked to and from the trolley line in Union Square from here. The decor is 70's and a little tropical. Beds are cozy. Bathrooms clean. Pool is heated and awesome. Especially when there are rock stars just lazing about it. The hotels center courtyard has party potential but guess we missed out and stayed on quieter nights. From the moment you enter the lobby you feel like you stepped into a set of Three's Company or Boogie Nights. We loved it here. Breakfast was good too, nice pastries, fresh fruit and all I can ask for is tolerable coffee and I got it. We will be back here. read more

Phoenix Hotel - Hotels Near Me - San Francisco, California

BEST HOTEL TO STAY AT WHEN IN SAN FRANCISCO! It's near the dodgy Tenderloin District, but the hotel itself is so artsy and beautiful! There is a lot of urban art around the pool area, and the rooms are so modern and comfortable. It's within walking distance from a lot of cool places to eat, and Downtown San Francisco. I definitely want to return to this marvelous hotel again! :) read more

This is a hidden gem in a crappy location. I think the food, service and ambiance make up for it. :) I've only been here for drinks, but never to dine. We came here for a birthday party with a large group, so we all wanted to grab a bite. So glad we did! Cute little bar and good energy in here. Would definitely come back again. They did a good remodel of the place. read more

See all

The staff is very nice and the rooms are clean, but it's not worth $400 per night. We splurged thinking it would be amazing. But we left with some real buyers remorse. The rooms are extremely minimal. No coffee maker. No fridge. Poor lighting. Its like the most expensive cheap hotel you'll ever visit. Also, we knew there was a restaurant, so we thought we might eat there. We had no idea in advance that we wouldn't get to eat in the restaurant due to a party. That would have been great to know. read more

We decided to have our wedding and cocktail party at the Phoenix Hotel and Chambers Eat & Drink. The best decision we could have made! We wanted something different and with a rock n roll vibe, the Phoenix was it. The hotel is so cool, hip, clean and chic. The staff is beyond helpful and made our event and stay effortless. Our guests were just as pleased and had a wonderful stay as well. As the bridal couple we were upgraded to the Headliner Suite for our stay with no additional charge, an amazing surprise! Rooms are spacious with great décor and very clean. Our room had an actual turntable and records to play. The pool is a cozy 85 degrees and so relaxing, we were in it along with some of the bridal party after the evening ended, just what we needed. They have a continental breakfast every morning near the courtyard which is beautiful and they have coffee makers in the room! One free parking space per room...hello?...free parking in SF!?! :) We cannot say enough great things about this hotel and the staff! If you're looking for something different and cool with great accommodations and excellent service, this little gem in the middle of San Francisco is fabulous! read more

See all

I love this hotel ! It's my favorite place to stay when visiting San Francisco! Rooms are adorable ! The mattress on the bed is so comfortable! I love sleeping In this bed ! Great customer service ! Everything is clean and beautiful! 5 stars Came again on Halloween ! My room was perfect ! Orlando made our anniversary perfection and that's why I'm spoiled and can no longer go to other hotels ! I am always pleased with the room and service here ! read more

I like unique properties. So, on a recent trip through San Fran I chose the Phoenix Hotel as a stopping point for a night because we went out of the city a few days and had a rental car. We didn't want to spring for overnight parking costs at other hotels and it was included at the Phoenix. It definitely has character. Yes, it's in the tenderloin so you'll see some interesting things on the way to the hotel, but doesn't that just add to the experience? It was dead quiet when we arrived on a Monday at around 11PM. The bathrooms/showers needed some upgrading for sure. The next morning we passed on the breakfast but it looked OK. I can say I've experienced it, but I'm not sure I'd be back! read more

See all

My teen daughters and I stayed here on a Friday night because we were going to the Regency Ballroom for a concert and it's really close. Loved the vibe and staff. Loved the merch..."Tender Heart, Tender Loin"!!! 4 stars instead of 5 because of the obvious drawback of it's Tenderloin location and it is a bit overpriced for what you get. BTW, we were not kept up by any noise! read more

I am a JDV Hospitality club member and have stayed at six other JDV Bay area properties in the past few years. I needed to be in SF on Saturday morning to close one of my art showings, and I didn't want to have to get up and drive to the City. So ... I looked up JDV properties and found the least expensive one on their menu -- the Phoenix Hotel. The Phoenix is located on the outskirts of Little Saigon, just two blocks from Civic Center. This is normally a very bustling and noisy area of the City, but inside the walls of the Phoenix, the noise and chaos of the City melted away. This chic retro motorlodge from the 50's has seen better days, but I'm happy to report that Happy Days are here again. They are in the midst of an expensive and expansive re-model which is scheduled for completion by the end of March, at which time I will re-vist the property and update my review, fully anticipating an upgrade to at least four stars. One of the first percs about this property is that it offers FREE PARKING. Isn't that incredible? For every room, a guest can park a car FREE in the semi-secured lot. That's what I'm talking about! What was even more amazing about this diamond in the rough is the relative quiet. I have stayed in SF hotels at twice the rate I paid and have been kept awake all night long with extraneous noise. Not so at the Phoenix. A constant flow of temperature controlled air provides a welcoming drone and, in our room, there were no windows to the exterior street side -- only a large window opening onto the courtyard. The furnishings are 50's chic with rattan accents and harvest gold with avocado and orange highlights bedspreads and shower curtains. I felt like I was walking into my parent's former abode and was immediately at home. The entire courtyard is in a state of disarray due to the construction process, however the outdoor pool is heated and was immaculately clean. My wife and I took a late night dip in the pool and were comfortably refreshed. When the remodel is done, the hotel will have a top drawer night club, bar and restaurant and that's when the entertainment and fun will return to this once tired and worn out property, that is being lovingly resuscitated by the JDV Hospitality corporation. I can hardly wait!! read more

My boyfriends company was having their holiday party at Chambers, the onsite restaurant lounge, so we opted to rent a room at the Phoenix rather than drive home afterwards. Best decision we could have made. We secured a room on HotelTonight for $199.00 ($230 incl tax) and since HotelTonight can't guarantee what size bed you might get... just that the room will sleep two people... we ended up with two doubles in a corner room. The staff was very apologetic and agreed to keep us in mind if anyone cancelled but no luck so we joked about playing I Love Lucy or pushing the beds together instead. It worked out fine though... there was totally enough room for the two of us to sleep comfortably even though we were used to a Cal King at home and if we wanted boyfriend could go sleep on his side of the bed. His side was just a little further away... ;-) It was all good. The hotel is definitely a little old school motor lodge oasis in the middle of the TL. Done up all super cute in retro blue and lime green, each room has big thick curtains to keep out the chill, as they've left the original single pane windows and the curtains do a great job blocking out the light as well. Not so much with the sound, unfortunately... we were in room 30 in the corner and we did wake up to the sound of street sweepers in the middle of the night and such but what can you do. It's a city. All things considered it was fine and we were able to go back to sleep after a short time. They did have a noise policy for our party as well... so if you do find yourself staying there and not participating in the festivities this may be helpful information. Music had to go off outside at 10pm and guests had to be off the patio and inside the lounge by 11pm. I thought that was very reasonable and there was no issues at all. The rooms are vintage to begin with and it was a little worn from use of course... but everything was freshly scrubbed and the linens are super crisp, clean, plush and fluffy. It was like sleeping on a fresh cotton cloud. There is a flat screen tv, plenty of light, outlets, an iron and ironing board, extra blanket and pillow in a zipped plastic container, hairdryer, and they will even send out your laundry for you if need be. The Lather Brand products are also very nice. No more wall pumps like Pumpkin mentioned in her 2009 review... now they are individual size bottles. The staff was also great in that they called about a half hour after we checked in to make sure we got settled and that everything was satisfactory. It was. The shelving in the bathroom was loose and tilted, so we couldn't set our toiletries up there but upon mentioning it to the manager on the way out he acknowledged that it's a design flaw and that it's common. I think they're aiming to replace those. The rest of the bathroom is up to date with new sink, toilet et al and a good fan so that you don't have mildew or condensation. Parking is free, which is unheard of in the city... and there is a nice bright light in the lot so I imagine break ins are pretty rare. There is no mini bar, room service or the like.. but there is a little coffee maker in each room. Ask for extra coffee and brew each cup double strength though. It's weak. Or, if you're feeling adventurous you can just walk a few blocks up to Philz. Which brings me to the neighborhood.... Yes, it's in the Tenderloin. Yes, there are a lot of homeless, addicts and other characters in the area. If that kind of thing disturbs you or if you have kids with you this is probably not the hotel for you. (It's kind of a party hotel anyway so keep that in mind) Although I'm from the southbay I used to work at the edge of the TL and let's face it... there's issues with transients and what not in a good majority of SF anyway. Personally it doesn't bother me that much and, although I probably wouldn't go for a lengthy evening stroll by myself, I don't really feel unsafe either. Most people seem to just be fighting their own battles and they don't really have anything to do with me so they don't really make it my problem. Just try not to look like a tourist and use your best judgement. That being said, I would stay there again - especially if there was an event at Chambers (which is absolutely gorgeous btw) next door. Super convenient. read more