SF’s Iconic Rock ’n’ Roll Hotel Closing After Nearly 40 Years
Big news for longtime locals and lovers of San Francisco’s offbeat charm: the Phoenix Hotel — a retro Tenderloin gem with major rock history — is shutting down at the end of 2025.
If you’ve lived in SF long enough, you probably know someone who’s got a Phoenix story. Maybe you were that someone. Maybe you danced at a poolside party, saw a band pre-show, or stumbled through a night that felt straight out of a music video. For nearly four decades, the Phoenix wasn’t just a hotel — it was a cultural landmark.
Originally built in 1956 as the Caravan Lodge, the motor lodge was reborn in the late ’80s as the Phoenix Hotel, attracting a who’s who of rock royalty. Everyone from Kurt Cobain, David Bowie, and Neil Young to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sinead O’Connor stayed here. It was one of the few hotels in SF that could accommodate full tour buses, making it a no-brainer for bands rolling through town.
The hotel’s closure follows the 2024 sale of the property to the San Francisco Baking Institute for $9.1 million. While the Phoenix team still owns the name and brand, the lease on the land expires in early 2026 — and there are no current plans to renew or reopen elsewhere. The future of the site under the new ownership remains unclear.
Want to stay at the Phoenix Hotel while it’s still around?
They have a special “Pool Party” package for Monday through Thursday stays during the summer months for most weeks through October that includes an ice-cold bucket of beer, a bag of chips and a one night’s stay with a King Bed for $222.45 (all taxes/fees included) – you’ll get pool access from Noon on check-in day through 3pm on your check out day.
h/t SF Chronicle
