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Andaz Wall Street |
“Sit here and I’ll get you a snack,” said Dave, my “host” at the new Andaz Wall Street, in New York City.
Just like all of Hyatt’s Andaz properties — located in London and West Hollywood, Calif., and soon to be in midtown Manhattan, Atlanta and San Diego — check-in agents, doormen, bellhops and concierge staff are combined into a single multitasking, attentive and knowledgeable host. Dave took my bags as I entered the lobby, showed me to the sofa and brought me a glass of water and an organic chocolate bar to enjoy while I went through the check-in process via his wireless computer tablet. As it turned out, both the snacks and the attentive service were complimentary and free flowing throughout my weekend stay.
Officially opened on Jan. 25, the Andaz claims to be the only hotel on Wall Street itself. With 253 guestrooms; a first-class restaurant (Wall & Water, featuring seasonal cuisine and fresh ingredients from the Hudson Valley); Bar Seven Five, serving up “Pre-Prohibition Style” cocktails (think fresh juices and top shelf brands); a full-service spa; and plenty of unique meeting spaces, the property seems ideal for business travelers seeking a comfortable, convenient place to hang their briefcase Monday through Friday. On weekends, however, it’s a great spot for leisure travelers as well.
Set in the city’s ever-evolving Financial District, the Andaz is half a block from the Wall Street subway station and close to attractions such as The South Street Seaport, Castle Clinton, the Brooklyn Bridge, the New York Stock Exchange, the World Financial Center and the Staten Island, Liberty Island and Ellis Island ferry terminals. It offers easy access to both Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Guestrooms at the Andaz are large, especially by Manhattan standards: The smallest is 345 square feet. My Executive King was spacious and airy, with loft-like ceilings, dark-stained oak floors and seven-foot windows looking out into the cityscape. The decor was warm and contemporary and loaded with up-to-the-minute features. Door keys are completely electronic — wave the card key in front of the sensor and you’re in. Rooms feature a sophisticated lighting program too, so a single switch turns on or off all the room lights. A panel by the bed allows you to choose from a few pre-set lighting settings — work; nightlight, all-off, etc. Flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations are standard. My favorite feature was the electronic blackout curtains. With a single touch, all the shades were opened or closed simultaneously, George Jetston-style. I also loved the black marble bathroom with a rainfall showerhead and deep soaking tub.
The hotel’s interior was designed by David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group. Highlights include a steel-and-stone staircase leading from the lobby to the dining area; textured walls; bleached wood accents; and stenciled metal artwork designed by a Brussels-based artist. The vibe was comfortable, modern and luxurious, with all details considered.
I really enjoyed the hotel’s air of generosity, perfect for guests who hate to be nickel and dimed. In the lobby area (called “the lounge”), snacks, soft drinks and espresso drinks are complimentary throughout the day. I nibbled on fruit and muffins in the morning while reading the paper over a latte, and enjoyed a slice of pizza in the afternoon. Also, room service is available around the clock and mini-bar snacks and soft drinks are complimentary. Wi-Fi is also free throughout the hotel.
The hotel also has a fitness center and the spa utilizes natural, organic products made locally in New York and Connecticut. The treatments called “The Best 15 Minutes of Your Day” are perfect for the Wall Street set — a massage and shoe shine, plus a box lunch, all in the space of a coffee break.
As my host Dave told me when I arrived, “We’re all about personal style here. Everyone is different and we want to make sure we do what makes you comfortable.”
I would definitely say the Andaz succeeded.
The Details:
Andaz Wall Street
75 Wall St., New York City
212-590-1234
Rooms start at $275 per night. The Andaz is offering a special travel agent discount rate with preview rates of up to 50 percent off when booking through Hyatt’s travel agent site, Hyatt.com/Hyatt/TravelAgents.
Commission: 10 percent
www.wallstreet.andaz.com
