Time Out is terribly keen on this place - I don't know why. It's in a dodgy area of Little Saigon in the Tenderloin. The decor and vibe are supposed to be retro-hippy; in fact, it feels like a motel in Arizona c1978, and not in a good way. Yes, there's a pool, but it's for posing around and is too small to swim in. And the help-yourself breakfast is penny-pinching. Avoid.
601 Eddy St; tel: (415) 776 1380;
www.roadsideamerica.com/hotels-motels/hotelinfo/20827.html
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It's a 10 minute walk down to Market and a bit longer to Union Square. You do walk through the Tenderloin to get there which admittedly is rough but I live in Vauxhall, London. If you're from Leamington Spa I imagine it'd be shocking but I've never been hassled, threatened or even asked for money.
The cocktail bar/club Bambuddha can get noisy at weekends but if you get a room upstairs towards the rear of the courtyard it's not a problem.
It's NOT a hotel for families or for people who like a quieter, more sedate hotel. Personally I enjoy a hotel with a bit of life compared to the usual Marriott/Sheratons/Hiltons so will always go for the Phoenix when in SF - whether work or play.
And as for describing the breakfast as penny-pinching- I always enjoy sitting near the pool with coffee and pastries and how many US hotels throw in breakfast anyway?