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Video Hotel Review: Andaz Fifth Avenue Splash Suite

Nov. 27, 2012
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4 min read
Video Hotel Review: Andaz Fifth Avenue Splash Suite
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I recently stayed at the original St. Regis in New York and although I loved the location and the Old World style of the iconic hotel, I was disappointed by how much negotiating I had to do in order to get upgraded to a suite, as well as by the high room rate - $550! The next night I headed over to one of my go-to NYC hotels: the Andaz Fifth Avenue.

The great skyline view from the bedroom.

This time I got a room rate of $361, which I just paid for rather than redeeming the 22,000 Gold Passport points that would have been necessary for an award night since I am struggling to maintain Diamond status and Hyatt does not count award nights towards elite qualification. I was staying for only one night, so I decided not to use one of my Diamond-status suite upgrade awards and take my chances that I’d be upgraded when I arrived.

The suite's living room area.

Though when I stayed in New York this summer I used one of my suite upgrade certificates to go from a standard Andaz King to a Loft Suite, this time, without doing anything, I was automatically upgraded four room categories to an Andaz Splash Suite, which was almost twice as large as my Loft Suite had been at a huge (by NYC standards) 787 square feet. If I’d paid, it would have cost about $710 the night I stayed, so I was basically getting twice my money’s worth!

Have a look at my video walk-through and then read on below for the details:

It had the same high ceilings and taupe palette, as well as a spacious all-Travertine-marble bathroom with separate soaking tub and walk-in rain shower, dual vanities and CO Bigelow bath amenities as well as all the usual Andaz perks like free non-alcoholic mini-bar beverages and snacks, free WiFi and local calls, and high-tech touches like a 54-inch HDTV and a Geneva Sound System.

The standalone soaking tub in the bathroom was a great design element.

The room had a living room with a sofa and armchair, a narrow work desk, and windows looking south toward the Empire State Building. The bedroom was pretty sparse, but the queen bed dressed in Frette linens was super comfortable, so I got a good night’s sleep. It also had another huge flatscreen and a small sitting area with two armchairs, and looked right out over 5th Avenue to the New York Public Library.

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The Travertine marble walk-in shower was enormous.

As usual, I didn’t have time to hang out much in the hotel, so I had to forego cocktails in the downstairs bar and a meal in The Shop restaurant, but I did hit the little fitness center, and I got to have my favorite Hyatt Diamond amenity – free breakfast – via room service, which I really enjoy and wish more Hyatts made that an option for elite members rather than making us go have the breakfast in the club lounge when available.

Dual vanities and a funky mirror in the bathroom.

All in all, this stay just reaffirmed why I like the Andaz so much. Sure, it doesn’t have the storied (some might say stuffy) ambiance of the St. Regis, but it’s just a few blocks farther south, the rooms are great, and I love the contemporary feel of it. Plus, I always feel like I get my money’s (or points’) worth out of my stays here.

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.