Phoenix Hotel
Mid-century rock-and-roll motor lodge. Retro-funky and irreverent. The courtyard and pool are the social hub. Feels more like a cool party than a hotel.
Book a Deluxe King or King Suite on the second floor for direct balcony views over the pool — worth the small premium.
Why It Matters
San Francisco's original rock-and-roll hotel. Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, David Bowie, Neil Young, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Keanu Reeves all stayed here. The palm-fringed courtyard pool with its one-of-a-kind mural and original sculptures from local artists is unlike anything else in the city. No resort fee, free WiFi, and on-site parking in downtown SF — all genuinely rare.
San Francisco's most famous rock-and-roll motor lodge has been hosting touring bands and counterculture travelers since 1987. Built as the Caravan Motor Lodge in 1956, it's a mid-century courtyard property with 44 rooms wrapped around a heated outdoor pool — that pool is genuinely the heart of the place. Rooms are small, bold, and unapologetically retro: electric blue headboards, original pop art prints, and a vibe that still smells faintly of David Bowie's cigarette.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
ADA Accessible King Room
ADA-compliant king room with accessible bath features. Roll-in shower available. The courtyard pool is also ADA accessible via a Hoyer lift.
King
ADA Accessible Two Doubles
ADA-compliant room with two double beds and accessible bathroom. Designed for guests with mobility requirements.
Two Doubles
Deluxe King Room
Second floor with a private balcony directly overlooking the pool. The upgrade that makes sense: you get the balcony, plus a mini-fridge, microwave, and Illy espresso machine for your late-night snack or early morning hangover needs. Max 3 guests with a rollaway.
KingHeadliner Suite
The top of the line. Courtyard pool view, king bed, separate living room with mini-fridge, microwave, and Illy espresso machine. But the real draw: a turntable and a curated collection of records. In the spirit of rock and roll, as the hotel puts it. Sleeps up to 3.
KingKing Room
Located on the first or second floor overlooking the courtyard and pool. Compact but character-filled: electric blue headboards, original pop art prints, whitewashed walls, and a floor-to-ceiling window. A red retro phone sits on the nightstand. Complimentary WiFi, 42" flat-screen TV with DirecTV and HBO, Bluetooth speaker, coffee and tea, work desk.
KingKing Suite
Second floor with a private balcony, a proper bedroom with king bed, and a separate living room. Comes with mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The most space you'll get without going full Headliner. Sleeps up to 4.
KingPoolside King Room
Ground-floor room opening directly onto the courtyard pool area. The closest you'll get to feeling like you're staying in a retro Miami motel. Floor-to-ceiling windows, the palm trees right outside.
KingPoolside Two Queens
Two queen beds with direct poolside access — good option for friends or families who want to be right in the courtyard action. Ground-floor.
Two QueensStudio Suite
A studio-style suite layout. Details available on the Bunkhouse Hotels booking page.
KingTwo Queens
Two queen beds with courtyard views. Good for two travelers or families who want the extra bed without requiring poolside proximity.
Two QueensThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The lush courtyard garden features original sculptures installed by local San Francisco artists, plus a unique painted mural in the swimming pool itself. It's worth actually looking at — these aren't generic hotel decorations.
The heart of the Phoenix. A proper outdoor pool heated to 85°F year-round, surrounded by palms, original sculptures from local San Francisco artists, and a one-of-a-kind painted mural on the pool floor. Open to hotel guests only. Courtyard hours: Sun–Thu 7:30am–10pm, Fri–Sat 7:30am–12am.
The Phoenix runs its own online (and in-person) store with koozies, tote bags, local SF field guides, and other unconventional souvenirs. Available 24/7 online at phoenixhotelstore.com.
The hotel hosts occasional live music events in the courtyard — guests have reported live performances on Saturday nights. The Great American Music Hall, one of SF's most beloved venues, is less than a 10-minute walk away.
The Headliner Suite comes with a turntable and a curated collection of records. The rock-and-roll gesture that separates this suite from every other suite in the city.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
ADA-accessible rooms, accessible parking spaces, Hoyer lift for pool access, and accessible path of travel to building entrance.
Standard writing desk in all rooms.
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas.
Standard in all rooms.
Included in all rooms.
Available in Suites and Deluxe King rooms only.
On-site snacks and sundries available for purchase.
Complimentary in all rooms.
Dogs always welcome for a small fee. No fee for service animals. The hotel provides food and water bowls.
The Phoenix explicitly does not charge a resort fee or urban fee — notably rare among San Francisco hotels.
85°F year-round, ADA accessible via Hoyer lift. Palm-lined courtyard setting with local art installations.
Available on request.
Round-the-clock front desk staffing.
Private parking lot on-site. $25/night with in-and-out privileges. ADA-accessible spaces available. Oversized vehicles must call ahead. Additional vehicles accommodated based on availability. Rare for downtown San Francisco.
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