All the fun of a hostel without the fleas

This is a fun place to stay in San Fran. It has everything we love about staying in hostels - nice vibe and diversity of the guests - without the funk that usually comes with them. The hotel looks like a re-vamped 50's style hotel with retro touches everywhere.

The cons we can think of is the location (not the nicest), noise and lack of privacy (each room faces the court yard).

This is definitely not the spot to bring kids or for those seeking peace and quiet but it is really fun for a more laid back spirit. We will definitley stay here on our next trip to the city.

Not what seems to be!

The Phoenix hotel is not what it seems on the website. It is not a design hotel but more an old re-decorated one. Although we're young, we thought it was very noisy with the restaurant 'Bambuddha', you can't sleep. The area of the hotel is a bit unsecure. Finally, it is expensive for what it is, and the staff is not sympathic at all.

The Phoenix Rocks!!

The Phoenix Hotel is definitely not for everyone (especially Kids!). But if you are looking for a hotel where you can feel like you are touring rock star this is the place for you! (THEY RESERVE PART OF THE PARKING LOT FOR TOUR BUSES).

It is walking distance from the Bart Civic Center Stop so easy to get there from the airport. There is a bodega across the street for any snacks you may want. There is a great restaurant poolside Bambuddha Lounge where you can have drinks. If you are looking to sleep try it during the day as this place is not great for nighttime sleeping. From dusk til about an hour or so after last call there is a buzz thru out the hotel that does not die down to til everyone gets to sleep. Some may think at a hotel like this the staff would be rude. But in all the hotels I have stood at this one has top top customer service. w/i 15 mins of check in they called to check on us. The only minus is that neighorhood outside of the hotel can be sketchy so don't wonder after dark.

Great hotel in a gritty neighborhood

My husband and I stayed at the Phoenix Hotel for a couple days during the Christmas holidays. Our overall experience was excellent. Parking was free, hotel staff was friendly and helpful, room was clean and spacious, room rates were affordable. The worst part was the neighborhood, as the hotel is located at the edge of the somewhat sketchy Tenderloin district. However, the cleaner and more popular Nob Hill district is just down the street. And we were never concerned about our own safety or the safety of our rental car because the staff was alert and at the front desk (in plain view of the parking lot) 24 hours a day. Also, the hotel rooms can only be accessed through a gate that leads to the courtyard, and one must have a keycard in order to get into the gate. I would stay here again.

Party on

The review below is correct in as much as this is definitely not for the buisness traveller. However if you're looking for great value for money; a bar that's packed with great looking people and cool tunes and a tasty restaurant, then this is the place for you. Staff are very helpful. The rooms are what you'd expect for the price with no air con. All in all, it's not hard to see what a lot of bands on tour stay here as it's the coolest joint in town

Yikes

While I agree that the staff was nice, it was hard to overlook the stained carpet, warped tile, black bathtub, broken window, cracked and paper thin walls. Definitely not a place for the business traveller; even early in the week people are up and at 'em fairly late and it is difficult to sleep. The website was misleading and I was surprised to see the place live. Where the site makes you believe you're in for a funky remodeled hotel, you should be prepared for an old, redecorated, rundown motel in a pretty frightening area. It would probably be a fun place if you're younger, looking to have a good time and have an adventure.

Best Hotel Ever!!!

We recently spent the weekend at the Phoenix and what a great weekend it was! The hotel is just great, the staff is so helpful and the general vibe is just great. It isn't in the best section of town - but we never wanted to leave the hotel!!! I will always stay at the Phoenix when in San Francisco.

An oasis!

We had a great stay at The Phoenix in September thanks to the friendly, helpful staff. It really is an oasis of calm (and cool) in a central if a little run-down area of San Francisco. The weather was unusually hot so we were glad of the pool. Our room was very comfortable with fantastic local artwork. We would recommend visitors take a cab back to the hotel late at night as the surrounding area was pretty unsavoury!

Breakfast by the pool was very relaxed and pleasant. The new Bambuddha Bar was a bonus after a long day on our feet - great food and atmosphere. We will return!

Phoenix can be a Nightclub w/ rooms

The Phoenix is a bargain with a catch. On weekends, speakers, bouncers, a DJ, and clubbers can be right outside your door until the wee hours.

The staff is great, the atmosphere is cool, but be prepared. Free parking, people watching, and transvestite hookers outside are added bonuses. It is easy to catch a cab.

Super-friendly

Although the hotel lies on the edge of a dodgy district of San Francisco, we had no problems getting to and from the hotel during our stay. Even though we chose to avoid certain streets around the hotel, it was still easy walking distance to many parts of San Francisco, so the location was perfect for us.We found the Phoenix to be a bright, colourful, clean, cool place to stay, with a great newly-opened bar/restaurant, free parking (a bonus) and SUPER-friendly and helpful staff.