| Orchard Garden, San Francisco
 SERENDIPITY! What can be greater than discovering a fantastic "Green" hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco. THE ORCHARD GARDEN, 466 Bush, a boutique retreat, build new from the ground-up and opened in 2006, offers comfort and eco-friendly service all in one. Within a short walk of Union Square, the Cable cars, Chinatown, the Financial District, The Orchard Garden is an oasis. The hotel was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is San Francisco's first hotel to achieve this honor and is only the 3rd hotel in the U.S. and fourth in the world to hold this certification.
Just walking into the lobby you know you are in a kinder, gentler environment. The water feature in the entry is part of the city's $200,000 public art requirement. The walls, which look like wood are actually recycled particle board.
 Roots, the in-house restaurant prides itself using local sources(within a radius of 500 miles) for its supplies. And take it from me---you can taste the difference. Chef Jason Gaskins puts together some tasty, organic and sustainable dishes. Even most of the beverages are local. Probably the organic SQUARE ONE vodka from Idaho is the furthest import. Bartender Samuel Collier is a master at concocting new-age drinks. (My favorite-The Zentini, -- SKYY vodka infused with passion fruit.)
The fresh smell of the hotel (no chemicals in the cleaning fluids), the rooms decorated in natural wood tones and light fresh colors are restful and peaceful, along with such innovations as San Francisco's first key card energy control system designed to cut down on waste in lighting and room temperature combine to make a stay here one you will treasure for its environmentally sound practices.
 For added pleasure try the Roof Top Garden on a sunny day, or evening, makes a great spot to relax right in the heart of the busy city. Bring you drinks or food, or just come and sit and enjoy a piece of the lush, green outdoors, right in the middle of the city.
I recommend this hotel without qualification. Can't wait to return.
www.theorchardgardenhotel.com
AND……. While in San Francisco get to know the city better. Avail yourself of these FREE walking tours: http://www.sfcityguides.org/index.html
Ann Terry Hill
June 1st, 2009
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