Review: The Orchard Garden Hotel—San Francisco, CA
Just steps from San Francisco’s iconic Chinatown Dragon Gate, is the city’s first LEED- certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotel: the Orchard Garden. Influenced by Singapore’s Orchard Road Hotel, the Orchard Garden is a boutique gem that blends eco-conscious architecture with urban sophistication in a prime downtown location.
The 10-story building was designed by BAR Architects, and its sustainable design features a clean, minimalist facade with large, energy-efficient windows that maximize light while reducing heat gain. FSC-certified wood paneling and low-VOC paints are incorporated into the warm and contemporary ambiance of the lobby. Local artists Archie Held and Dulcy Wolverton provided the pieces adorning the space.
Key-card access to the spacious eco-chic rooms is connected to the high-efficiency HVAC system, which powers down automatically whenever a space is unoccupied. Boutique furniture and work desks provide a luxurious and practical feel while lounging inside the room.
Pass through the full-length drapes and you’re treated to furnished private decks and an eighth-floor rooftop terrace, providing an urban oasis with panoramic views of the Financial District and Chinatown from its hedge-lined floor of recycled composite decking.
While there is no on-site parking, several parking garage options are less than a five-minute walk from the Orchard, complete with dedicated motorcycle parking zones. Visitors also have myriad dining options within walking distance, including the Daffodil restaurant, located on the first floor of the Orchard Garden.
Facts & Info
Amenities
● Rooftop terrace
● Roots Restaurant
● Fitness center
● Business center
● Concierge and tour desk
● Eco-friendly design
Nearby Attractions
● Chinatown
● Union Square
● San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
● Yerba Buena Gardens
● Financial District
● Fisherman’s Wharf
● Nob Hill
Nearby Roads
While both automobile and pedestrian traffic in the heart of San Francisco can be intense at times, those willing to brave the crowds can find some iconic roads. Known as the “crookedest street in the world”, Lombard St is a one-block section of Russian Hill, packing eight hairpin turns into a mere 600 feet as it descends a 27% grade between flower beds. You’ll certainly have plenty of time to take in the scene, as the conga line of vehicles typically descends quite slowly, with throngs of picture-taking tourists at the base of the hill.
Riders looking to take in views of the city, as well as some twisty pavement, can pass through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Panoramic Hwy. Sweeping vistas of the San Francisco Bay, Mount Diablo, and the Pacific Ocean can be found along this route’s 12 miles of well-banked curves and elevation changes, as the road descends through the Muir Woods to Stinson Beach.
Price
Rooms from $209
Location
Find it at 665 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA