Photos Courtesy the Good Hotel
Story by Joseph Alexiou
Since Gus Van Sant's Milk debuted, there's been a lot of focus on San Francisco, one of the biggest gay destinations in the country. And since Al Gore debuted his film An Inconvenient Truth, we're all anxious to do our part to prevent our own consumption from ruining this planet's resources.
Travelers will be happy to know about the total renovation of the Good Hotel, a 117-room in the South of Market (SoMA) area, which has surpassed the mark in benevolent, 21st century business practices.
The totally refinished space is so California: it has great design and unique visual touches, and made use of reclaimed and reusable materials in construction and decoration. For example, recycled double-sided blindes were hand-painted to create functional room art, and the lamps are made of Voss water bottles. The lobby has ReadyMade vending machines distributing reclaimed-material items (wallets made from old Fedex envelopes), and water-conserving SinkPositive sinks in the bathrooms. There are energy-saving flatscreen TVs and the requisite iPod docs in the rooms, and promises all of the amenities of a hotel without the conspicuous consumption.
While they don't claim to be 100% "green" or "sustainable" (terms that marketers are jumping all over), they are billed as a "philanthropic" hotel, as it is involved in a charitable program through non-profit organization One Brick. Guests are given an easy opportunity to volunteer some of their time to an organization of their choice. Employees are allotted monthly philanthropy hours to also contribute to the community.
Aside from all the good the Good Hotel proposes, its location is right in the heart of the edgy SoMa, one of Frisco's several gayborhoods. So, if you're looking to hang out during Gay Pride, check out the Folsom Street Fair, or go to Dorey Alley, this is the hotel for you. At very reasonable prices (starting at $89 a night), this may be one of the most economical and philanthropic hotels you'll ever stay at in San Francisco, or the world!
Photos Courtesy the Good Hotel
Story by Joseph Alexiou
Since Gus Van Sant's Milk debuted, there's been a lot of focus on San Francisco, one of the biggest gay destinations in the country. And since Al Gore debuted his film An Inconvenient Truth, we're all anxious to do our part to prevent our own consumption from ruining this planet's resources.
Travelers will be happy to know about the total renovation of the Good Hotel, a 117-room in the South of Market (SoMA) area, which has surpassed the mark in benevolent, 21st century business practices.
The totally refinished space is so California: it has great design and unique visual touches, and made use of reclaimed and reusable materials in construction and decoration. For example, recycled double-sided blindes were hand-painted to create functional room art, and the lamps are made of Voss water bottles. The lobby has ReadyMade vending machines distributing reclaimed-material items (wallets made from old Fedex envelopes), and water-conserving SinkPositive sinks in the bathrooms. There are energy-saving flatscreen TVs and the requisite iPod docs in the rooms, and promises all of the amenities of a hotel without the conspicuous consumption.
While they don't claim to be 100% "green" or "sustainable" (terms that marketers are jumping all over), they are billed as a "philanthropic" hotel, as it is involved in a charitable program through non-profit organization One Brick. Guests are given an easy opportunity to volunteer some of their time to an organization of their choice. Employees are allotted monthly philanthropy hours to also contribute to the community.
Aside from all the good the Good Hotel proposes, its location is right in the heart of the edgy SoMa, one of Frisco's several gayborhoods. So, if you're looking to hang out during Gay Pride, check out the Folsom Street Fair, or go to Dorey Alley, this is the hotel for you. At very reasonable prices (starting at $89 a night), this may be one of the most economical and philanthropic hotels you'll ever stay at in San Francisco, or the world!
