Forget about the hotel suites that feature foyer floors made of amber-striated travertine marble. Never mind the million-dollar chandeliers, the $2 million glass balconies, and the cream-colored lacquered walls inlaid with thousands of pieces of mother-of-pearl. How would you like to stay at a hotel that does your dirty laundry for free, doesn’t charge you for eating from the minibar, and lets you make all the local phone calls you want without making you pay a dime for doing so? Now that’s what I call luxury.
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you visit Hyatt’s new luxury boutique hotel. The company’s new Andaz chain opens next month and among the services provided to each guest is the free laundry—unlimited washing and pressing for everyone. There’s also no extra charge for breakfast, minibar water, snacks and organic juice, Internet access, local phone calls and on-demand films.
According to Hyatt reps, the concept for the complimentary services came as a result of a survey the hotel chain completed. They say one thing that was clear from the research is that customers are fed up with being nickel-and-dimed.
Hear. Hear.
Enter the Andaz, which Hyatt says means “personal style” in Hindi. The new properties are aimed at catering to upscale travelers and Hyatt execs claim that no two rooms are alike. The first Andaz hotel will open in London in mid-November. It features 267 rooms, which feature a modern and arty design. The rooms embrace technology in ways other hotel chains have yet to do. For example, hotel information and room service menus are displayed on the TV screen, and instead of checking in at the lobby’s front desk, hotel staff lead guests to their rooms and complete check in via handheld computer. The Andaz chain also features several “green” amenities including pencil casings made from recycled videocassettes, and eco-friendly toilets that have a vacuum flush system that uses less water.
Andaz execs classify the property as being above a W and below a Four Seasons, though staffers are schooled to deliver the personalized, attentive service that one would find at a Four Seasons resort.
If you live in the United States and are interested in checking in to the new chain to check out the new amentias you’ll have to wait until next year. That’s when a new Andaz is scheduled to open on New York’s Fifth Avenue, near the public library. Rates will start in the $550 range, according to hotel reps. Meanwhile, in California The Hyatt West Hollywood will reopen as an Andaz next year.
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