VIBE

In subtle contrast to its buttoned up sister hotel downtown, this Andaz venture from the Hyatt brand rides more on the fashionable leanings of its prime Fifth Avenue address. Inspired by the streets of New York City, acclaimed interior designer Tony Chi transformed the limestone-and-brick 1916 Rogers Peet Building into a high-fashion modern boutique whose rooms (complete with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and wide open spaces) are both functionally contemporary and stylishly luxurious. Every aspect, from non-traditional yet professional service to the plethora of extras, flows seamlessly with the cool design–you’d never know this hotel was a new kid on the block.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; significant other; clients or colleagues; older family

WHY WE LIKE IT

Nothing beats being in the fashionable area of Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, and Midtown. The hotel sits directly across from the New York Public Library and is within walking distance of New York’s top sights including famous shopping destinations, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, the Theater District, and Rockefeller Center.

AMENITY WE LOVE

The high-tech Andaz experience, including deskless check-ins by “Andaz hosts” toting tablets and a concierge available by cell or text. Also love the plethora of extras like free in-room minibars (sans alcoholic beverages, of course), complimentary wine in the lobby from 6:00pm-9:00pm, and drinks upon check-in.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

While we love the accessibility of the concierges, they can get a little too chummy. We'd like to be treated with a bit more formality for this high profile of a location.

GOOD TO KNOW

Part of the Hyatt hotel brand. Hospitality gets the last laugh here: Andaz hired an improv comedy troupe to train their staff in the art of dealing genially with each guest.

CLOSEST COMPS

Andaz Wall Street (New York); Smyth Tribeca (New York); Andaz West Hollywood (LA)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.