466 Bush St, San Francisco, California, United States | (888) 635-3814
In the heart of downtown San Francisco
Eco-friendly LEED-certified property
Rooftop deck with city views
Modern rooms with evening turndown service
Roots Restaurant serves locally-sourced ingredients
On-site meeting room and 24-hour business center
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Modern fitness center (it's tiny)
Limited amenities
On a busy street in a noisy neighborhood
Small rooms and common spaces
Fee for valet parking
The upper-middle-range Orchard Garden is the sister property
to the larger Orchard Hotel just down the street. Its green practices,
including a reliance on recycled materials, sustainably-grown wood furnishings,
and chemical-free cleaning products appeal to environmentally-conscious and
discerning travelers alike. But for all its commendable certifications, the
hotel feels small and mundane. The sustainable restaurant and narrow rooftop
deck are the venue's only notable features, with a small business center and a paltry
fitness room rounding out the on-site amenities. The rooms are small, a common
eco-friendly trade-off and worth it for those who care more about their carbon
footprint than their lounging space. The property’s location between Chinatown
and the Financial District is a big plus, but the area can be noisy. The nearby
boutique Galleria Park Hotel tends to have lower rates with similar amenities
and more style.
Scene
Sustainable wood and local art in lobby, along with beautiful sculptures
The
small lobby is a bright space covered in sustainably-grown blond wood, sparsely
decorated with works by local artists Archie Held and Dulcy Wolverton. The
sculpture of a leaf-covered woman bearing a basket of fruit and backed by a
glass waterfall dominates the entryway, but there's little else to differentiate
the hotel from any other. The front desk is on one side, with a small seating
area for the restaurant's bar on the other.
Location
In central downtown area, near Union Square and around the corner from Chinatown
The
Orchard Garden is located right around the corner from the main gate to
Chinatown, within walking distance to the Financial District. The hotel is on a
busy street filled with shops and restaurants and is also three blocks from
Union Square, home to enormous outposts for NikeTown, Saks, Macy's, Louis
Vuitton, and Neiman Marcus, among other retailers. The area is to San Francisco
what Fifth Avenue is to New York and Rodeo Drive is to L.A. Locals generally don't
hang out here, but the square is nonetheless ideal for people watching.
San Francisco International Airport is about 25 minutes south by car. Expect to pay to park at the hotel (a common practice in crowded San Francisco).
Rooms
Eco-friendly units with natural wood and special carpeting
On the small side but bright and filled with eco-friendly touches, the rooms here are modern and functional. The blond-wood furniture and cream walls are appealing, while the pea-green carpeting may not be for everyone. (It’s important to note that hotel carpeting is made partially from recycled materials and has reduced chemical emissions.) Small desks provide a well-lit if cramped place to work on. Bathrooms have water-conserving toilets and tiled shower/tub combos. All rooms have a key-card controlled green-energy system which shuts off power when guests leave.
Features
Rooftop deck, sustainable restaurant, and 24-hour business center
The rooftop deck, affectionately referred to as "the sales
office" by the friendly staff, has views overlooking the Financial
District and Chinatown. It's small and has a narrow layout, but it's certainly
the standout feature of the building. It can also double as a private meeting
space to augment the hotel's small meeting room, which has a 20-person
capacity. Roots Restaurant, which has a bar as well, keeps to the same sustainable
practices as the hotel and specializes in responsibly-sourced ingredients,
including local meats and seafood. There's also a tiny mirrored fitness center
with just three machines and a 24-hour business center with a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.