MSPeconomist

Hmmmmm....I've been given a glass of wine upon arrival at Napa and Scottsdale, and had the happy hour at West Hollywood, Wall Street, and Fifth Avenue. Savannah had a self serve pantry off the lobby with drinks, IIRC including wine and beer. All of this was as a Glob (or maybe Diamond, I don't remember the dates), so maybe that was why I was offered the welcome wine.

Kacee

I've also been offered a drink on arrival at Scottsdale, that's as an Explorist. I'm not sure it has anything to do with status.

econ

Had a recent stay here. Upgraded to Saarinen from entry-level Eames. Similar observations as other posters mention above (meager mini-bar offerings, etc.), although I did like that you can take breakfast through early afternoon.

No welcome drink however or any mention of a happy hour. As for other Andaz locations, the one in London had a happy hour, or at least it did earlier this year. I also remember getting free drink vouchers at the Andaz Singapore.

SkyTeam777

Im a Globalist, too, and am wondering if Covid is being used as an excuse to cut all the benefits that made the brand special.

Single_Flyer

I got a welcome glass of wine at check in at Scottsdale and Napa. I think that's pretty common.

SkyTeam777

I was informed only beer or water. Who knows...maybe the check-in person was mis-informed. Either way, the property is very simple and underwhelming in my opinion.

TheTravelPlaybook

I had a recent stay here, and echoed the thoughts above. I've stayed here twice in the past, and a lot has been cut back. Welcome beverage of a beer was offered, but lots of the fun amenities included in the resort fee, like cocktail classes, etc, aren't available at this time. I stayed in the cattle track suite, which you can see a full tour of in my video of my time at the Andaz below. Happy to answer any questions.

Tonyr4

Great video review, thanks for sharing!

TravisMT81

So I learned today that they only upgrade (complimentary) to the Saarinen King. According to the front desk they “do not participate in suite upgrades”. Unless using a DSU. the room had 3 waters and a bag of chips.

yes the welcome drink is only beer. I would prefer wine.

Colin

what’s your assessment of covid safety protocols and related amenity closures/modifications?

dkc192

Hmm. I have an upcoming stay in a couple nights and had texted the hotel to inquire what upgrades might look like. The agent was able to confirm a Saarinen King and said that if I wanted a Cattle Track Suite I'd have to use a TSU, to which I responded I'd inquire about a complimentary upgrade at check in (since I know they were already doing me a favor by blocking me into a Saarinen King two days before check in). They also quoted a $150 per night fee to upgrade into a Saarinen King with a cabana; apparently they do not do complimentary upgrades into those (I did get one as a confirmed Prive upgrade over the summer).

Did you inquire specifically about suites at check in and get that response? If so, did you press any further? Seems like they are straight up flouting WoH T&Cs by not honoring complimentary standard suite upgrades at check in--if it's available for a TSU upgrade, it should definitely be available for free to a Globalist upon check in.

Kacee

I got upgraded to one last summer as Explorist. One night stay during low occupancy period though.

This is new and definitely a T&C violation. I wonder if there's been a management change.

TravisMT81

. Nothing really closed, this is Arizona after all.

Kacee

So per the blogs, this property is going from a 5 to a 6. Pricing awards in AZ can be a challenge because of the huge disparity in rates winter/summer. This place could be a relative bargain as a 5 during high season, when rates are often over $400 plus resort fee, but a terrible deal in the summer, when they drop below $200.

Six seems high to me, particularly when you add in the peak pricing that will no doubt apply during high season, putting price at 29k per night. This is at best a mid-tier valley property, and I would have a hard time paying $400 a night. The things I like best about the place are the Paradise Valley location and the convenient self-parking, and that's really not what you want to be saying at those kinds of prices.

econ

I do like this property (especially during recently ended promo where it could be had for 15k/night after points rebate). But 25-29k/night does seem a little steep.