I was in New York for Frequent Traveler University, and figured I might as well make a long weekend out of it. The weather was starting to get a bit warmer, so a couple of days in the city didn’t sound half bad to me.
Continue reading: Review: Andaz 5th Avenue New York
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Lucky, I think you were extremely lucky, especially for your first stay here. I've had 15+ stays as a Diamond member, and I've only received room upgrades beyond the basic room booked when:
1) Using a confirmed suite upgrade (to a 519 sq foot Andaz Suite)
2) Required to wait 1.5 hours when checking in at 5pm on a Saturday. Even then, was only upgraded to an Andaz Large King (not even the best room available).
When asking about room upgrades, they always indicate that they're completely sold out. Keep in mind that 95% of my stays are one nighters. This property has a reputation for a stingy upgrade policy - you happened to live up to your name this time; looks like a great suite - thanks for posting!
Agree with Mike. Stayed here many times and never had an upgrade. It is very clear the staff are on instruction not to upgrade Diamonds no matter what B/S the GM posts on social network sites.
FWIW also I had the pancakes on my last trip and was not that impressed. You need to come to Chez Phil on a Sunday morning to try mine out if you think these are good. Basically orange peel and slices in an overburned pancake. Wow!
Andaz 5th is turning into what I see as one of the bigger disappointments of the travel scene. Promised so much if they just fixed the edges, but over time is getting worse not better.
Oh and there are tons of restaurants open later.. you just need to head south- that area is kind of dead at night
@ Mike @ Phil -- In that case, guess I might not be returning all that quickly.
@ The Points Guy -- Absolutely. There's no way I value Hyatt points at more than 1.5 cents each. Valuing them at 1.5 cents each, that makes the "cost" of a top tier property $330 per night. And for that I'm not earning stay credits and points, and I can't use a suite upgrade. You have to figure that the points and stay credit are worth an extra $100 or so per night, which essentially raises the cost to $430. I'd be hard pressed to find a hotel where I'd actually value a stay that much.
@The Points Guy One complaint I have, though I don't know that I've posted it because I usually post my reviews too quick to know this in time, is that the 1000 point Diamond amenity never seems to post on its own anyway... I think it's popped up automatically only once. So sure the points may be my default but when it takes work to actually get them . . .
@lucky I've been wondering what you thought of the pancakes!! Personally I love ordering up coffee first thing, and THEN ordering room service breakfast LATER. I've ordered room service MORE THAN ONCE on EVERY STAY and they never even bring a bill... To me that's probably better than an upgrade, although I've been fortunate to at least get an XL room each time. And I do like the Andaz Suites, I may never have had a Splash Suite or the one that lucky got, but I'm good with the ones I've had!
@ jr -- There were two full bathrooms, and those are the correct pictures above (they were very similar)
I like to imagine Lucky making maximal use of such a ridiculously great suite. Too bad he can't post the scandalous photos of the hordes of partying supermodels.
Is that...a doggie bowl in the shower? Or some strange kind of foot-bidet thing?
@ beltway -- Yeah, it was just like that... something like that. 😉
@ John -- LOL! It's a foot bath thing of some sort. I was initially confused as well.
Well, isn't it obvious why such a great upgrade was given to Mr. Lucky? I mean, c'mon....
A simple Google search on his name (after the "polite" discussion at the front desk) and a GIGANTIC 2 bedroom suite was tendered at a "sold out" hotel.
Major wink, wink.
Good for you. Why shouldn't you get the upgrade? I am sure it wasn't a bribe.
I'd feel insulted if a hotel host asked me to "move on" if I was standing in a hotel lobby talking to friends while I was waiting to check in. The hotel needs to train their personnel to be more gracious. He/she could have easily ascertained if you belonged there by simply asking if you were checking in or if you could be helped.