San Francisco's Orchard Hotel earns LEED Certification as the city's first and only certified 'green' hotel

The Orchard Hotel joins its sister property, the Orchard Garden Hotel in ‘green’ certification, earning LEED-EB® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification for an existing building by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). San Francisco’s only hotel to earn this honor, the Orchard Hotel, is the second hotel in California and fourth hotel in the world with this certification. LEED-EB is the USGBC’s leading edge system for operating high performance buildings dedicated to whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues, recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and systems upgrades.

The Orchard Hotel, managed by Portfolio Hotels & Resorts, based in Oak Brook, IL, includes 104 guest rooms and is located just two blocks from Union Square on the Powell Street Cable Car Line. Inspiration for meeting the LEED-EB guidelines comes from its 85-year-old owner, Mrs. S.C. Huang. She is passionate about clean environments, after the untimely cancer-related deaths of three family members, and has devoted herself to creating environmentally safe and sustainable hotels.

“Mrs. S.C. Huang pursued a LEED certification for her existing hotel for several important reasons,” said Stefan Mühle, general manager for the hotels and regional director for Portfolio Hotels & Resorts. “Studies prove that LEED certified buildings have lower operating costs, higher employee productivity, and happier, healthier occupants. We’re extremely proud to lead the hospitality industry in our dedication to our environment and our guests’ and employees’ quality of life.”

The Orchard Hotel achieved LEED-EB certification for managing energy use, sustainable cleaning and maintenance practices, employee education, recycling policies, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. LEED-EB was established for market leaders to operate buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense. The hotel’s green practices also include chemical-free cleaning products, a 100% tobacco-free environment, recycled paper and soy-based inks, low flow toilets and showers, CFL, halogen or LED lighting throughout the hotel; low or no-VOC paints, adhesives and sealants; strict recycling and compost programs and more.

Intimate and Elegant

The Orchard Hotel is conveniently located between Union Square and Nob Hill. Thoughtfully designed guest rooms provide state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of complimentary amenities for business and pleasure travelers including high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi access, entertainment center with CD and DVD player, tea/coffee maker, honor bar, in-room safe, dual-line cordless telephones, luxurious organic bath products and other gracious amenities such as an extensive CD/DVD library. Daffodil Restaurant, adjacent to the lobby, serves breakfast, dinner and cocktails daily.

In 2007, the Orchard Hotel’s sister property, the Orchard Garden Hotel, was awarded LEED-NC® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-New Construction) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). San Francisco’s first hotel to earn this honor, the Orchard Garden was only the third hotel in the U.S. and fourth hotel in the world with this certification.

For more, visit www.theorchardhotel.com.