Phoenix Hotel rises once again with its new design by Liz Lambert of Bunkhouse
All photography courtesy of Phoenix Hotel
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s burgeoning Tenderloin neighbourhood, the Phoenix Hotel is considered a beloved cultural icon and a longtime favourite of the rock n’ roll set, frequented by everyone from Neil Young to David Bowie to Kurt Cobain.
Originally built in 1956 as the Caravan Lodge, a motor court hotel, and revived in 1987 under the vision of famed hotelier Chip Conley, the legendary property features 44 guestrooms with a simple and colourful design inspired by the travelling musician.
Set amidst midcentury architecture and a tropical landscape, the property includes Chambers eat + drink, a "New California" style restaurant, bar, and lounge; an outdoor garden courtyard oasis and heated pool plus modern amenities throughout.
The hotel is now operated by Liz Lambert’s celebrated hospitality company, Bunkhouse, which maintains the property’s iconic identity and character by highlighting its storied history through a series of refreshments to the public spaces and rooms.
A nod to the city’s musical past, each of the 44 guestrooms has large windows facing the courtyard and is outfitted with vibrantly colourful textiles and dynamic accents, including bright blue custom headboards and desks, wheat paste art, and coloured light installations.
Similar to the other Bunkhouse properties, the Phoenix offers a playful nod to its heritage, featuring yellow curtains inspired by the original Caravan Lodge and vintage rock n’ roll concert posters.
At the centre of the property lies a heated pool that is part artwork and part history; the pool displays artist Francis Forlenza’s "Tumbling Waves – My Fifteen Minutes", and is one of only two landmarked swimming pools in America.
This central space is surrounded by butterfly chairs, red and white striped cabanas for lounging, and potted plants to create an urban courtyard oasis.
Adjacent to the pool is the on-site restaurant and lounge, Chambers eat + drink, which serves up California-inspired cuisine with Japanese accents in a retro den setting with a wall-lined record collection along with a poolside patio and fire pit for sun-drenched eats.
Inspired by vintage recording studios, the lobby features wood panelling, a Shinola record player, and a lobby shop, boasting coolers filled with beverages and snacks along with an array of retail items inspired by the '80s and '90s punk grunge scene, offering local goods and memorabilia fit for guests and bands on the road.
Centrally located downtown, The Phoenix is walking distance to some of the city’s most important music venues (such as the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Great American Music Hall and The Warfield), a growing restaurant, bar and shopping scene, and other cultural gems that have been home to some of San Francisco's most legendary rock n’ roll memories.
