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New Hyatt in New York

Andaz combines luxury and a fine collection from the public library

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 00:00 December 18, 2010
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New Hyatt
  • Image Credit: Supplied
  • One of New York’s newest hotels, Andaz 5th Avenue combines individuality, style, comfort and a true sense of place with their take on ACDC.

One of New York's newest hotels, Andaz 5th Avenue combines individuality, style, comfort and a true sense of place with their take on ACDC. Aside from touting an Aussie front man — general manager Jonathan Frolich hails from Down Under — the Fifth Avenue outpost of Hyatt's budding boutique brand has rocked the neighbourhood with:

II one-of-a-kind artwork

II a special relationship with New York's iconic Public Library at Bryant Park

II new suites

II and a new bar

New York City has been known as the centre of the art world for some time, so it is only natural that the newest Andaz hotel, meaning "personal style" in Hindi, would hand-pick a group of students from New York City's High School for Art and Design to transform the 12 guest-floor elevator banks into street-art-style installations. Inspired by a recent school project for which students painted New York as seen through their eyes, reflecting their own impressions of the surrounding city, they have recreated these works as floor-to-ceiling triptychs.

The group of 12 juniors and seniors, mentored by renowned graffiti artist-turned-fashion designer Claw Money, have designed this installation as a special treat for those staying at the hotel, as the artwork appears exclusively on guest-only floors. Downstairs, hotel guests and visitors can view stunning paintings and sculptures by art world darlings Carlos Capelán and Nick Hornby.

As friend and neighbour, the New York Public Library has worked with Andaz 5th Avenue to create an on-property library for use by the hotel's guests. Located in a cosy nook on the hotel's ground floor, the library features more than 700 hand-selected books to give guests the best of the library-across-the-street's collection of more than 20 million titles.

The collection includes fiction, non-fiction, children's stories and, of course, titles on New York's history. The library works on an honour system. While all books are officially on loan from the New York Public Library, guests are not required to hold a library card to read them during their stay.

In addition to the hotel's satellite outpost of the New York Public Library, the hotel has a secret stash of complimentary tickets for guests to attend the various library events. Tickets are available through a first-come first-served basis.

Suites offer iconic city views. The icing on the cake is the hotel's Extra Large Terrace Suite.

The 165-square-metre Tony Chi-designed two-bedroom corner suite includes a 74-square-metre wrap-around terrace that provides beautiful views of the Empire State Building to the south and the New York Public Library across the street at Bryant Park.

The views from the terrace also include unobstructed north-south views along the length of 5th Avenue, plus views east and west of both the East River and the Hudson River. A sitting area with a sleeper sofa and a kitchenette round out the oversized space. It is also in prime position to see the ball drop in Times Square.

Those who prefer to soak it all in, literally, loofah in hand, can do so from an Andaz Splash Suite. These 73-square-metre corner suites have free-standing soaking tubs perched in front of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking 5th Avenue and the New York Public Library. This is perfect for an urban getaway or a weekend escape.

Geneva Sound Systems with iPod docks can be found in all rooms to set the mood with sultry tunes, a perfect accompaniment to the bubble-filled bath. A 54-inch HDTV is also available in suites. All rooms and suites at the hotel are equipped with an oversized travertine marble bathroom with double sinks, walk-in rain shower with black porcelain foot baths, and toiletry amenities from the New York apothecary CO Bigelow.

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