While I do think Andaz hotels are a bit of an acquired taste, I’m a huge fan of them at this point. Initially they had some service issues, though in the meantime I think most of the service issues have been ironed out. One of the unique aspects of the Andaz experience is that there’s no front desk, but rather there are “hosts” that check you in using tablets to create a bit more of a personalized experience. This usually means the hosts are more talkative, since the environment is more conducive to having a conversation.
Anyway, I checked into the Andaz Wall Street this afternoon for a one-night stay, which I booked yesterday. And for the record I had no contact with the hotel in advance, didn’t tell them I was coming, etc.
At check-in I handed the host my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and Gold Passport Diamond card, and he simply said “I want one of those cards,” and I chuckled. He walked away and returned two minutes later with my key and said “here you go.”
I was a bit surprised, since usually I find the Andaz hosts share too much information, and not too little. Usually they welcome you back, ask if you need a recap of what’s included at Andaz hotels (minibar, internet, happy hour, etc.), ask if you want a recap of the Diamond benefits at the hotel, etc. But this guy said… nothing.
But then I got into the elevator and looked at my key card, only to find that I had been upgraded to a junior suite on the top floor, and waiting in the room was a chocolate cake with a piece of paper that read “Happy Birthday Ben.”
Of course I was blown away by the cake, which I wasn’t expecting in a million years since I hadn’t told them it was my birthday. But I’m not sure what to think about the host. Did he sense I was tired and didn’t want to talk, or was he just that lazy? And how the hell did the hotel know it was my birthday?!
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