Andaz 5Th Avenue to Open July 5Th

Across From the New York Public Library - Writing a New Chapter on Fifth Avenue

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. July 01, 2010

June 30, 2010 - Andaz 5th Avenue, the second Andaz property in New York and the fifth in the collection, plans to open its doors on July 5, 2010. The Andaz philosophy is that guests should feel free to express their personal style in an atmosphere that fully embraces its locale. Andaz 5th Avenue takes its design cues from its own midtown Manhattan neighborhood. Striking yet timeless interiors are designed by Tony Chi to be both loft-like and evocative of the city's century-old apartment residences. A sophisticated bar, a shop carrying artisanal products made by local purveyors, and peaceful guestrooms all reflect the Andaz credo of facilitating - not forcing - the guest experience.

Design

The hotel's 485 Fifth Avenue location has a storied history in fashion and retail. Built during the great era of Manhattan department stores, it was the largest and last of the Rogers, Peet & Co. department stores, later becoming the Tommy Hilfiger global headquarters before its transformation into Andaz 5th Avenue. The first full New York City hotel by designer Tony Chi, a muted palette and exposed pipe ceilings channel industrial New York and the silence of pre-dawn midtown; open spaces, open kitchens, and residential style furniture add a home-like feeling to the space; factory sash windows pay homage to New York City's pre-war apartments and factories and provide unrestricted views of area icons, such as the Empire State Building and The New York Public Library directly across the street. Natural materials such as black- and white-washed poplar and rich grey basalt provide a counterpoint to the sheen of white lacquer finishes and marquis lighting. In playful contrast, a striking 14-foot vermillion painting by Carlos Capelán and a Nick Hornby sculpture represent the dynamic energy of New York City. Both the Fifth Avenue and 41st Street sides have floor-to-ceiling windows with peek-a-boo shutters, allowing the interiors to be light-filled during the day and peacefully enclosed at night.

Accommodations
Of the 184 rooms, 36 are suites, six of which have terraces overlooking the grand façade of the New York Public Library. Starting at 322 square feet, the guestrooms have 12-foot ceilings, and double glazed windows, making them blissfully quiet. Each room features incredibly soft linens to ensure a good night's sleep. Black-washed poplar shutters enclose the oversized bathrooms that are lined in polished travertine marble, with rainfall shower heads, dual sinks, and amenities from legendary New York apothecary C.O. Bigelow. Each room has a black porcelain footbath in the shower area with a spout dedicated to filling it -- perfect for relaxing feet that have spent hours pounding the pavement of one of the world's best walking cities.

The Andaz XL Two-Bedroom Terrace Suite is 1,779 square feet (166 square meters), with an expansive landscaped terrace and views of both the Hudson River and the East River. Splash Suites feature a deep egg-shaped, free-standing bathtub, positioned in the center of the oversized bathroom for the best views of the New York Public Library and the Empire State Building.

The Andaz philosophy is about simple, tailored hospitality and removing barriers between employees and guests. Guests will feel as if they have been welcomed into a friend's home instead of a typical hotel. There is no check-in desk; rather, an Andaz host checks in guests at their own pace - over a drink in the lounge or on the way to their room. Hosts are gracious and able to help with any guest wishes within Andaz 5th Avenue, and are always ready with local insider tips. Because nothing is more counter to a feeling of Andaz than being nickel-and-dimed, Andaz 5th Avenue provides complimentary WI-FI throughout the hotel as well as calls to local area codes. Guests can also enjoy mini-bars stocked with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, all free of charge and replenished daily.

Seasonal, Local Culinary Culture
Through the corner entrance on Fifth Avenue, guests and neighbors can visit the ground-level shop, which serves artisanal Blue Bottle coffee, pastries, goodies from local purveyors such as Mast Brothers, a microbatch chocolate company in Williamsburg that sources cacao from family-run farms, and Beekman 1802, an upstate New York farm that produces goat milk soaps scented with seasonal ingredients. A 38-seat restaurant on the ground floor offers guests a menu in which ingredients are sourced from New York State farms, and local purveyors such as Katz's Delicatessen, Sullivan Street Bakery, and the Pickle Guys. If you can't make it to Manhattan's favorite local haunts, you'll find it at Andaz 5th Avenue. The restaurant at Andaz 5th Avenue is open all day and into the evening.

The bar in the cellar serves small-batch liquors and a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass, along with small and medium plates to share. A knowledgeable bar staff is comprised of individuals with a natural ability to play the bon vivant host and who appreciate the shape of a single rough-hewn hand cut ice cube in a traditional whisky service. An open kitchen serving small and medium plates allows guests to be part of the action and engage and socialize with our chefs. Two oversized, 14-foot Claro Walnut wood slabs serve as the bars helmed by our expert bartenders serving beer, wine, and delicious handcrafted cocktails such as the Andaz 5th Avenue signature cocktail, the Cellar Door. In addition to the convivial space located near the bar and kitchen, guests can find plenty of nooks for quiet conversation in banquette seating or near the corner cheese room. An open ceiling exposes beams, and fixtures reminiscent of industrial New York. A warm brick wall from a 1790 rural Connecticut farmhouse lines the entrance and basement walls of the bar. A “no reservations” policy underscores the unfussy philosophy, allowing a quick handcrafted cocktail to turn into a full tête-à-tête over a shared late-night dinner. To provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and enjoyable for all who visit the bar, hosts will accommodate only the number of seats available at the time.

Meetings and Events with a New York Apartment-like Feel
The second floor holds Andaz 5th Avenue's meeting and event space which has been aptly named Apartment 2E due to its residential, home-like layout. Once guests exit the elevators to the second floor, the expansive open kitchen is the first thing that comes into sight. Designed as “the heartbeat” of the 6500 square-feet (593 square-meters) meeting and events space, everyone is invited to be a part of the action. Sample delicious, fresh cuisine and chat with our Andaz chefs -- just like being in a friend's home. The chef's might even ask for some help with stirring or chopping. Apartment 2E is a perfect space to host events from a simple cocktail party to a business meeting to a wedding party - as a catered affair with an ambiance similar to one's own home. Many of the studios have 14-foot factory sash windows that overlook the New York Public Library, while other studios have private access to the hotel's open-air courtyard, an unexpectedly quiet oasis. All studio spaces have an open pantry with espresso makers, closets with electronic safes, and a unique “touch panel” that manages sound and light. Guests can use just one of the studios, which can accommodate groups of 16-100, or collapse the space into one large house party venue where up to 400 guests can mill about the studios, kitchen, bar, and courtyard.

Neighborhood Context
One of the few Manhattan hotels located directly on Fifth Avenue, the hotel has a unique location right across the street from - and with an unparalleled view of - The New York Public Library, one of the city's grand landmarks. Andaz 5th Avenue nods to the icon with its own intimate library nook on the ground level, where a rotating collection of titles will be on display. Bryant Park, with its blossoming green space, picnic tables, and outdoor WiFi, is steps away. It is also within close walking distance of Times Square, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, and the shops of Fifth Avenue.

Reservations
The property is now accepting reservations from July 5, 2010 at a preview rate starting at $295. Starting September 1, rates begin at $435. Please visit andaz5thavenue.com for details and booking, or call 212 601 1234.

The Andaz hotel collection, from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, currently comprises Andaz Liverpool Street, Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Wall Street, and Andaz San Diego. The first property, Andaz Liverpool Street in London, launched November 2007, followed by Andaz West Hollywood in January 2009, Andaz Wall Street in January 2010, and Andaz San Diego in February 2010.

About Andaz
Global in scale while local in perspective, Andaz delivers an innovative hospitality experience and attentive, uncomplicated service designed to accommodate guests' personal preferences. Hotels in this unique collection reflect the spirit of their locale, and are dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living spaces where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of comfort and style. For more information and reservations, visit www.andaz.com.