Special Feature: Products Sally Recommends
Phoenix Hotel
Location: 601 Eddy St. at Larkin
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 776-1380
(800) 248-9466
Style: Funky but appealing tropical motel
Pluses: Bargain rates, garden courtyard
Minuses: Iffy neighborhood, noise
Price: Inexpensive ($109 double room/$159 suite)
Amenities 44 rooms, including two suites No nonsmoking rooms
Visa, MasterCark, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover Cards accepted.
48 hour cancellation policy.
Complimentary on-site parking lot.
No room service. Hotel provides information for ordering from Dine-One-One and Waiters on Wheels local restaurant delivery services.
Wheelchair accessible.
Special Features:Complimentary continental breakfast.
Garden courtyard with tables, lounge chairs and pool.
Complimentary in-house video channel with continuous showing of movies filmed in San Francisco movies.
Complimentary loaner VCR and collection of band-on-the-road and San Francisco movies
Offers their own SF Insider's Tour Guide to guests
The Phoenix is an unusual hotel for San Francisco. It's built more like a motel than a hotel, with two stories of rooms around a pleasant garden courtyard with a small oval swimming pool. The decor follows a tropical theme, with sunny flower print bed spreads, louvered windows, and sort-of-bamboo furniture. The big picture windows overlooking the courtyard are great for people watching, though they also let other people see you. You'll have to draw the drapes when you want privacy.
The Phoenix isn't fancy, but it has a definite funky appeal. I loved the in-house movie channel (we were late for dinner because we couldn't tear ourselves away from the chase scene in "Bullitt"), and the Insider's Tour Guide, twenty-three one-page guides to various aspects of San Francisco, is full of good tips on places to go and thing to do. I also like the outdoor pool and courtyard, especially for breakfast.
The Phoenix is just a few blocks from the Civic Center area, so it's convenient to the Opera House, Symphony Hall, and the many government buildings in the area. It has often hosted touring rock bands who are performing at the nearby Civic Auditorium; hence the many band road movies in their video collection.
One downside to the Phoenix is its location on the edge of San Francisco's Tenderloin District. While I felt safe enough walking in the neighborhood with my husband, even at night, I would not recommend the hotel for unaccompanied women or for the timid.
Even with the potential noise problem and the iffy neighborhood, I like staying at the Phoenix. It has its own unique charms, and sitting by the pool with a muffin and coffee on a perfect California morning is a great way to start the day.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.
