Andaz Fifth Avenue (NY) REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
#392
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
The last hotels I've stayed at:
Andaz 5th Ave
Kimpton Palomar Arlington
Hyatt Chesapeake Bay
Westin Restin Heights
Westin Dulles
St. Regis Deer Valley
W Hoboken
Grand Hyatt Cairo
Fairmont Heliopolis, Cairo
Kempinski, Amman
SLS, Beverly Hills
W Seattle
W Westwood
I wouldn't exactly call them 3 star...
I'll say it again. I loved my stay at this Andaz. The only thing I might agree on is the lighting at the bed for reading. But then, I wasn't reading in bed, so I didn't notice the problem. Everything else was just fine with me. I felt well taken care of by the staff.
Another reference point - I know there was a lot of discussion around the Starwood forum about the SLS and it's Luxury Collection designation. Some thought it was too "hip and cool" to be an LC. I think the same is going on with the Andaz.
We'll have to agree to disagree. And to stay at Andaz or at another Hyatt brand.
#393
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
Correction coming :-)
The last hotels I've stayed at:
Andaz 5th Ave
Kimpton Palomar Arlington
Hyatt Chesapeake Bay
Westin Restin Heights
Westin Dulles
St. Regis Deer Valley
W Hoboken
Grand Hyatt Cairo
Fairmont Heliopolis, Cairo
Kempinski, Amman
SLS, Beverly Hills
W Seattle
W Westwood
I wouldn't exactly call them 3 star...
I'll say it again. I loved my stay at this Andaz. The only thing I might agree on is the lighting at the bed for reading. But then, I wasn't reading in bed, so I didn't notice the problem. Everything else was just fine with me. I felt well taken care of by the staff.
Another reference point - I know there was a lot of discussion around the Starwood forum about the SLS and it's Luxury Collection designation. Some thought it was too "hip and cool" to be an LC. I think the same is going on with the Andaz.
We'll have to agree to disagree. And to stay at Andaz or at another Hyatt brand.
The last hotels I've stayed at:
Andaz 5th Ave
Kimpton Palomar Arlington
Hyatt Chesapeake Bay
Westin Restin Heights
Westin Dulles
St. Regis Deer Valley
W Hoboken
Grand Hyatt Cairo
Fairmont Heliopolis, Cairo
Kempinski, Amman
SLS, Beverly Hills
W Seattle
W Westwood
I wouldn't exactly call them 3 star...
I'll say it again. I loved my stay at this Andaz. The only thing I might agree on is the lighting at the bed for reading. But then, I wasn't reading in bed, so I didn't notice the problem. Everything else was just fine with me. I felt well taken care of by the staff.
Another reference point - I know there was a lot of discussion around the Starwood forum about the SLS and it's Luxury Collection designation. Some thought it was too "hip and cool" to be an LC. I think the same is going on with the Andaz.
We'll have to agree to disagree. And to stay at Andaz or at another Hyatt brand.
I fear I may be taking this thread off topic somewhat -- Peter or Markie, feel free to make changes if you think it appropriate.
#394
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Monte Sereno, California
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, 2 mm, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,398
Yes the Andaz 5th Avenue would be considered a luxury hotel by the hotel industry standards. When it comes to branding top end hotels, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. What one finds to be luxury another may find to be cold, boring, and BLAH. Believe me I work with many high-end clienteles, booking hotels, airlines, restaurants, venues etc. You learn everyone has different taste.... many times one person's caviar is another person's corn puff. To post on here to tell one someone their definition of luxury is misguided is wrong.
I've worked in hotels and have done site visits since 1986, I have seen the Andaz 5th Avenue, yes it it a Luxury Brand, maybe not to your taste, but to others it maybe. I think the Andaz 5th Avenue thread has really gone off course. The negative views of this hotel have been to put others down who love the hotel, instead of a constructive review of the property.
I've worked in hotels and have done site visits since 1986, I have seen the Andaz 5th Avenue, yes it it a Luxury Brand, maybe not to your taste, but to others it maybe. I think the Andaz 5th Avenue thread has really gone off course. The negative views of this hotel have been to put others down who love the hotel, instead of a constructive review of the property.
No, they are not bad hotels. But not one of them is a luxury hotel with the possible exception of the St Regis, Deer Valley, which I am not familiar with (although I was just in Deer Valley a few months back, I didn't see that particular hotel). So rather than disproving my point, you've confirmed it.
I fear I may be taking this thread off topic somewhat -- Peter or Markie, feel free to make changes if you think it appropriate.
I fear I may be taking this thread off topic somewhat -- Peter or Markie, feel free to make changes if you think it appropriate.
#395
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
Join Date: May 2007
Location: São Paulo, BR/Miami Beach, FL/NYC/DXB
Programs: HGP DMD, HHonors DMD, SPG PLT, MR PLT
Posts: 2,295
No, they are not bad hotels. But not one of them is a luxury hotel with the possible exception of the St Regis, Deer Valley, which I am not familiar with (although I was just in Deer Valley a few months back, I didn't see that particular hotel). So rather than disproving my point, you've confirmed it.
I fear I may be taking this thread off topic somewhat -- Peter or Markie, feel free to make changes if you think it appropriate.
I fear I may be taking this thread off topic somewhat -- Peter or Markie, feel free to make changes if you think it appropriate.
#396
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
The Andaz is definitely not a luxury hotel - do any of them even provide turndown? They are 'lifestyle' hotels like Kimptons, Ws and JdVs.
It would be wrong to expect the level of care and style at an Andaz that one would get at a luxury property (this is not the Pen nor do they try to be, and if they were providing luxury it would be a heck of a deal at $250 when lux properties are $900). The unfortunate part is that this property is not up to the level of the best lifestyle hotels.
It would be wrong to expect the level of care and style at an Andaz that one would get at a luxury property (this is not the Pen nor do they try to be, and if they were providing luxury it would be a heck of a deal at $250 when lux properties are $900). The unfortunate part is that this property is not up to the level of the best lifestyle hotels.
Last edited by l etoile; Dec 11, 2010 at 9:29 am
#397
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: SPG*P, AA*1MM, UA*1P, Hilton*D, Hyatt*D, Sixt*P, Hertz*P, Avis*F, Delta*G
Posts: 242
The Andaz is definitely not a luxury hotel - do any of them even provide turndown? They are 'lifestyle' hotels like Kimptons, Ws and JdVs.
It would be wrong to expect the level of care and style at an Andaz that one would get at a luxury property (this is not the Pen nor do they try to be). The unfortunate part is that this property is not up to the level of the best lifestyle hotels.
It would be wrong to expect the level of care and style at an Andaz that one would get at a luxury property (this is not the Pen nor do they try to be). The unfortunate part is that this property is not up to the level of the best lifestyle hotels.
#398
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
#399
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
They do come into my rooms at Andaz 5th Ave in the evenings to take out trash and set up the dark-out blind for the window(s). But nothing else was done in terms of the bed, minibar or bathroom.
#400
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Not everyone. Some of us were treated like you: put into a "large" regular room. The Splash Suite has a tub, I believe it's a jacuzzi. If you didn't have one, you weren't in the suite.
I suspect that most of the folks who find this hotel amazing do not regularly stay in luxury hotels. But, to paraphrase Craig Ferguson, I look forward to receiving your corrections.
I suspect that most of the folks who find this hotel amazing do not regularly stay in luxury hotels. But, to paraphrase Craig Ferguson, I look forward to receiving your corrections.
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
They added a pillow and turned down the bed, and the blackout curtains were down, when we returned for the evening.
No additional waters or chocolates (though complimentary waters and snacks are plentiful already in the room) with turndown service.
But yes, there was turndown.
#402
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
I just provided that list of my last hotels because the poster asked for correction... Just so you know, you Fairmont in Cairo is indeed a luxury hotel. One of the most opulent places I've ever seen. Butler floor, bathroom to die for, yada yada.
Anyway, yep, there is opulent luxury and there is chic luxury. Just in cars, luxury comes many ways. The Andaz may not be opulent luxurious like the Waldorf Astoria, but it is chic luxury in my mind. I enjoyed my stay there in November, and I would definitely stay there again.
Anyway, yep, there is opulent luxury and there is chic luxury. Just in cars, luxury comes many ways. The Andaz may not be opulent luxurious like the Waldorf Astoria, but it is chic luxury in my mind. I enjoyed my stay there in November, and I would definitely stay there again.
#403
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
And again, I don't intend to be sarcastic but anyone who regards the Waldorf-Astoria as a luxury hotel has no idea what luxury hotels are really like.
#404
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: SPG*P, AA*1MM, UA*1P, Hilton*D, Hyatt*D, Sixt*P, Hertz*P, Avis*F, Delta*G
Posts: 242
Do you mean by that comment that they have added blackout curtains? If so, that would be one significant improvement -- on my stay there was just an electric curtain that let significant light in even at night. I did have a room which faced 42nd street, maybe the courtyard rooms are better in that regard.
And again, I don't intend to be sarcastic but anyone who regards the Waldorf-Astoria as a luxury hotel has no idea what luxury hotels are really like.
And again, I don't intend to be sarcastic but anyone who regards the Waldorf-Astoria as a luxury hotel has no idea what luxury hotels are really like.
can we focus back to andaz 5th ave?
if you don't like the hotel just write your experience and walk away.
aren't you the ambassador of hyatt?
#405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
Do you mean by that comment that they have added blackout curtains? If so, that would be one significant improvement -- on my stay there was just an electric curtain that let significant light in even at night. I did have a room which faced 42nd street, maybe the courtyard rooms are better in that regard.
And again, I don't intend to be sarcastic but anyone who regards the Waldorf-Astoria as a luxury hotel has no idea what luxury hotels are really like.
And neither does the Andaz 5th Avenue.
It is not the Pen. Or Trump. Or Ritz-Carlton Central Park.
But to me it competes with and beats the Parker Meridiens of the world.