Green Way Boutique: Orchard Garden Hotel, SF

With the rising awareness of global warming, greenhouse gases, hybrid cars and gas prices going through the stratosphere, green is definitely in and the greener the better. So California’s first hotel built to U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) standards is worth noting.

The premier boutique Orchard Garden Hotel will open on July 12. This newly constructed 86-room hotel on 466 Bush Street, near fashionable Union Square shopping and along the Powell Street Cable Car line, follows the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED®) Green Building Rating System to earn the prestigious LEED certification.

The hotel’s green practices include:
• Chemical-free cleaning products,
• A 100% tobacco-free environment,
• Recycled paper and soy-based inks,
• A gorgeous roof garden,
• A 56-seat restaurant and bar serving three means and cocktails, plus
• The San Francisco debut of a guestroom key card energy control system.

The stately nine-story building features 28 room and four suites with sweeping views of SF’s skyline; two of the suites offer open-air terraces.

To launch the festivities, the Orchard Garden will offer a special “Love Your Mother (Earth)” opening package, available through 9/30/06, with deluxe accommodations, morning newspaper and turndown service at $149 per night.

W: www.theorchardhotel.com.
A: 466 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA.
T: 888-717-2881.

[Via SF Convention & Visitors Bureau.]