Orchard Garden, one block from Union Square in downtown San Francisco, takes the touchy-feely Bay Area trope and elevates it an ecologically certified level or two. Guest rooms are highlighted in natural wood tones and adorned with fabrics made from recycled polyester; the bathrooms are washed with citrus-based cleaners. The 86-room boutique hotel, which opened last winter, was constructed with concrete made from fly ash, a by-product of coal power plants. To observe the city's bustle, walk around the rooftop terrace; to tune it out, retire to your guest room, which is kept silent thanks to Orchard Garden's well-insulated design.

GREEN-O-METER: 3
A key-card system automatically turns the heat off when you leave your room, and low-flow showerheads save water. But Orchard Garden is 100 percent on the grid. Doubles from $190; theorchardgardenhotel.com