Does anyone have any info about, or recommendations for or against the Phoenix Hotel in San Fran? We're a group of 4 (2 couples), in our late 20s and are looking for a reasonably priced hotel in a good location. Thanks!

Have never heard of the Phoenix Hotel...but did just return from SF. Stayed at the Columbus Motor Inn between North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf. We had a two room suite for $120/night and free parking, but no pool. The staff was friendly and very helpful. The place was very clean. For more on SF go to www.sftravel.com, it's listed under hotel-fisherman's wharf

The Phoenix is a "hot" place - interesting, funky, reasonably priced and fairly chic. It's been featured in Vanity Fair (?) as a place where quirky celebs go in SF (kdlang, metallica, van halen). It's near the Tenderloin, but it's still basically downtown SF and it's close to much. I wouldn't stay at Fisherman's Wharf for free! You might want to check out the Inn San Francisco, Dolores Place Inn, Potter House and Chateau Tivoli, too.

The Phoenix Hotel is also listed at the sftravel web site. Has comments from others who stayed there. you will find it under San Francisco Hotels and then Recommended by Readers.

The Phoenix Inn tends towards the the "hip" side ,neat place with centercourt pool. It is on the edge of the tenderloin in "New Saigon" , heavy Vietnamese pressence. No problems during the day but you'll need to be alert at night when returning here if you are on foot. Immeadiate area is ok but you'd have to be clear on walking back here at night on coming through the Tenderloin. Walking Market st is ok and then walk up Larkin or walk on Geary st above and then walk down Larkin.Coming from Van Ness it's ok to walk over to the Phoenix along Eddy. You don't want to walk aimlessly through the Tenderloin at night if you aren't sure whereyou are or where you are going. LOts of Vietnamese restaurants here and one of the the best values in the city directly across the street at a true hole in the wall Vietnamese sandwhich place , Saigon Sandwhich , order the Shu Mai , listed as meatball sandwhich , kind of a Vietnamese sloppy Joe , and unless you have polyops you need desolved order it with everything except the peppers.$1.70. The Phoenix is definitely doable but you will need to be aware of how things change quickly around here and be clear on walking the surrounding area at night.

I've never stayed at the Phoenix. But I visited the hotel and checked out the rooms. The hotel is well known for its rock star guests (supposedly everyone from the Beastie Boy and Sonic Youth to David Bowie has stayed there). The rooms weren't posh, but they were clean and decorated in a fun tropical style. The bathrooms were small and basic. This is definitely the place to stay. (They have also have a popular bar on sight)
But be forewarned--this is an extremely popular place to stay. I tried to get reservations in May for a room in September, but the hotel was booked. You can view pictures of the hotel online at www.sftrips.com (This company has a lot of other fun hotels, if the Phoenix doesn't work out.) Good luck!