The Dirt:
On a recent trip to the west coast, I decided to check out San Francisco’s newest and ‘greenest’ hotel – the Orchard Garden Hotel. It is one of California’s first hotels built to the specifications of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. I consider myself fairly environmentally conscious. Still, I was truly taken aback at the thoroughness with which eco-friendly lifestyle has been made part and parcel of the establishment without the slightest sacrifice in terms of comfort. Among the eco-friendly and energy-saving elements are fabrics made from recycled polyester and chemical-free textiles, low-flow faucets and toilets, well-insulated building construction, and carpets made from recycled materials. In fact, the hotel ranked fifth on TripAdvisors Travelers’ Choice Awards of Best U.S. Luxury Hotels in 2008.

The location is excellent for both business and pleasure travelers as it sits a short stroll from Union Square shops and theatres, blocks from the Financial District and San Francisco’s legendary cable cars, and steps from the Chinatown Gates. Eighty-six deluxe guest rooms on ten floors, a boardroom, an inviting rooftop garden and a superb restaurant combine graceful luxury with modern design in an intimate atmosphere that feels like a home away from home. Artwork by locally-renowned artists are featured in the lobby and throughout the entire hotel.

The eco-friendly guest rooms are decorated in natural wood tones and light, fresh colors, and are just the thing to revive and refresh your spirits. As for revitalizing your body, I loved the bed in my hotel room. For me, when traveling, the beds I have to sleep in are always a huge consideration. I love my bed at home in New York and am very attached to it. Anyway, I had little to fear. My king-size bed had an amazingly comfortable mattress, Egyptian cotton linens, plush coverings and feather down pillows, and I slept like a baby.

True to the green theme, Aveda toiletries were luxurious essential-oils-based concoctions, free of artificial chemicals. I was also pretty impressed with the guestroom key card energy control system, similar to European and Asian systems, once again San Francisco’s first. The hotel’s green practices also include chemical-free cleaning products, a 100% tobacco-free environment, in-room recycling, recycled paper and soy-based inks.

Business travelers would find the oversized working desks, dual-line cordless phone and high-speed Internet and WiFi access useful. For those entertainment addicts, fear not because rooms are equipped with a large flat panel HDTV, an iPod docking station, a DVD and CD player—all with stereo sound.

Roots, a small, stylish restaurant located in the Orchard Garden Hotel is very much worth checking out. The menu is contemporary American cuisine with a Mediterranean flair and is committed to using local produce, naturally raised meats and sustainable seafood when possible.

Bonus:
Available through February 28, 2009, the hotel is offering a San Francisco Faves package. It includes a deluxe guest room at the Orchard Hotel, a $100 voucher for lunch or dinner at the nearby Scoma’s Restaurant, and two CityPasses – a booklet of tickets to San Francisco’s best attractions including the newly re-opened California Academy of Sciences, and unlimited rides on the city’s famous cable cars. The one-night package is $299 based on double occupancy.

Where:
The Orchard Garden Hotel is located at 466 Bush Street in San Francisco. For reservations, call 888-717-2881 or 415-399-9807. For information on the hotel, visit the Orchard Garden website.