California’s first eco-hotel opened in San Francisco last November—and if you expect some exotic variety of Amazon mud instead of soap among your complimentary bath accessories, or perhaps a sprout-based starvation menu, you’re in for a surprise. A delightful one.

To the naked eye, these “green” accommodations look suspiciously like their wasteful, high-end luxury counterparts. However, the befittingly named Orchard Garden Hotel, located near Chinatown and Union Station, is seriously committed to preserving the environment and is seeking the official blessing of the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org). Orchard Garden is among a new generation of buildings adhering to the specifications of the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED®) and the Green Building Rating System by Swinerton Builders (www.swinerton.com). Only four hotels in the nation have received this accreditation, with the Orchard now under review.

From the wallpaper glue to the lead-free paint, everything here is environmentally friendly, including the energy-saving light bulbs and the recycled carpets. Even the guest rooms are designed to keep waste in check. Thanks to the “key card energy control system,” a technology already popular in Europe and Asia, when a key card is inserted into a door slot, the lights are automatically turned on—or off.

And that’s only the beginning. The bath products are organic, the cleaning products are chemical-free, and the sleek maple furnishings come from wood harvested specifically for construction—not from an endangered rain forest. All paper goods are made from recycled materials and printed with soy-based inks. To boot, the 86-room retreat, with its minimally appointed décor and bold artworks, also offers a rooftop garden with breathtaking views.

This is San Francisco, so of course you’ll discover nice techie amenities. High-speed and WiFi connections, DVD and CD players with surround-sound, and large-screen LCD flat panel TV sets are part of the eco-friendly package.

Roots, the restaurant, run by executive chef Russell Rummer, offers a choice of seasonal and local organic fare, including organically grown coffee. The gourmet traveler can feast on free-range meats and sustainable seafood. Moreover, a complimentary European-style buffet breakfast is offered to travelers with every stay.

The $25 million Orchard Green is the brainchild of Mrs. S.C. Huang, who, inspired by the importance of living in an eco-friendly environment, envisioned the project after losing her father, husband and daughter to cancer. The independently owned property is absolutely 100 percent smoke-free, so if you haven’t quit yet, this might be just the place to inspire you to do so.