This NYC Andaz 5th Avenue Review comes from our friend Julie from Family Trips and Travel.   You can find her on Instagram here.  Be sure and check out her NYC with family posts here.

 

Andaz 5th Avenue in NYC Overview

The Andaz on 5th Avenue is an upscale hotel located in the heart of New York City. This modern and chic hotel offers guests a luxurious experience with a stylish design.  With so many incredible things to do in New York City, having a place as comfortable as the Andaz to rest in each night will make you feel refreshed and ready for everything the city offers.

This hotel has all the incredible amenities the Andaz brand offers, including minibar non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and wine served daily in the lobby to guests.

 

 

How to Book on Points

We booked this hotel using Hyatt points that were obtained from a welcome bonus from my Hyatt Business card and also transferred over from Chase Ultimate Rewards.  I have a large stockpile of Chase Ultimate Reward points that I have gotten from opening a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom Card, and Chase Business Ink Cards.

I booked this hotel for two separate stays that I did with each of my kids.  At the time of booking, it was only a Category 6 hotel and cost me 25,000 points per night (I stayed 2 nights each time).  It has since moved up to a Category 7 hotel, and the standard rate will be 30,000 points (Still worth it, in my opinion!).  The standard cash value will be around $588 per night for peak weekend dates!

 

Location

One of the biggest draws of this hotel is the location.  Located right in the heart of New York City, it is the perfect spot for those looking to visit all of the main tourist attractions.  A couple blocks away from Grand Central Terminal, and across the street from the New York Public Library main branch.

The Andaz is located on the corner of 5th Avenue and 41st Street.  It was a 10-minute walk to Times Square from our hotel, a 5-minute walk to several subway stations that will take you both uptown and downtown, plus steps away from Bryant Park.

The first time I stayed here, I didn’t plan to return since I enjoy trying out different hotels when I’m in the city.  However, with the category changes coming into play and the hard-to-beat location, I knew I needed one more stay here!  With so many unique things to see and do in the city, the location truly made exploring a breeze.

 

Arrival and Hotel Check-in

A few days before my arrival, I received an email from The Andaz concierge to give me some information about the hotel and area we were staying in.  I thought this was such a nice touch!

I quickly responded to the email to request a few items.  One was that alcoholic beverages were removed from the minifridge and replaced with extra water, seltzers, and juice for my son and me.  I also asked if a Nespresso machine could be placed in our room (This is only available upon request, but is no additional cost).

Lastly, I asked for some recommendations on things to do with my 7-year-old son.  I already had a list of things to do with him, but I wanted to see if there was anything I didn’t think of.  They sent me a full list of great activities to do with kids, and I used one of their suggestions!

Check-in was smooth for this hotel.  In the center of the room stood a white table with laptops for the receptionist to check you in.  I was offered a welcome drink and headed straight up to our room.

 

The Room

By New York City standards, the room was huge.  The tall ceilings gave it a unique touch that you don’t often see in hotels in this area of the city.  I got a standard king room.  Upon walking into the room, there is a good-sized hallway with the bathroom on one side and a glass coat rack on the other.  Next to the coat rack was the mini fridge, snacks, and a QR code for the room service menu.

 

 

The bathroom was amazing, with a separate area for the toilet (but oddly no door), two sinks, and a rain shower and seat with a spot for a foot bath.  While there is no bathtub, both of my kids enjoyed playing in this shower for quite some time after long, busy days exploring the city.

 

 

The bed was very comfortable.  My seven-year-old slept in longer than he ever had his entire life.  I am fairly certain it was because of how comfortable the bed was.

Across from the bed was a desk they also put my Nespresso machine on.  There were huge windows that were just as tall as the high ceilings.  There was a shade that was light enough for light to come in still but also gave you privacy and mechanical blackout curtains for night.

Overall, I was impressed with the room and more than happy with the size.  I’ve stayed at several other hotels in the city around similar price ranges, and this one was by far the largest and most comfortable.

I will say, however, while spacious, the room felt a bit cold at times due to the minimalist style.  The room I had for my second stay was even more empty. There was SO much empty space it felt awkward at times.  I think including a nice bench or accent chair would have warmed up the room and made it feel less empty.

 

Restaurants, Bar, Food Service

I never ate at the restaurants, but I did order room service a couple of times.  Both times I ordered a cheeseburger, primarily because it was the most kid-friendly option that I could find, and I was sharing my meal!

The restaurant downstairs was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus open for snacks and drinks.  I visited the restaurant once to pick up some food to go, and it had a nice atmosphere.  If I were visiting with my husband or girlfriends, it definitely looks like a place I’d like to try out.

One of my favorite parts of the Andaz brand is the included snacks and beverages.  In each room, there are small snacks replenished daily. The Andaz on 5th Avenue offered a bag of Cap Cod potato chips (My personal favorite!) and a delicious chocolate bar.  After the first night, I requested extra snacks so there was more to share with my kids and I was happily provided with extras.

 

 

The mini bar included several alcoholic beverages that are not included (but you can ask to have them removed in advance) and plenty of water, seltzers, juice, and soda.  Every night the hotel offers complimentary wine in the lobby. I stopped by one night after exploring with my kids and took my glass up to our room to enjoy as we settled into the night.

 

Amenities: Gym and Parking

To my kids’ disappointment, this hotel does not have a pool, which is fairly typical for New York City.  There is a great gym that has lots of options for cardio and lifting weights.  While I didn’t workout during my trip, I did make it a point to check out the gym and see what they have to offer.

 

 

No self-parking is available at the Andaz, but they do offer a valet service.  Parking in New York City is not cheap, and it’s recommended to take public transportation for convenience.  The fee for the valet parking will vary based on the size of your vehicle. It also does not include in and out service, so plan accordingly.

 

Things To Do Near The Andaz on 5th

One of the best things about this hotel is the location.  It is centrally located and within walkable distance to so many things, but also close to several subway stations that can take you anywhere in the City.

Across the street from the hotel is the New York City Library Main Branch and Bryant Park just behind the library.  If you wake up early, you can grab some incredible photos of the library without a lot of crowds, then grab some breakfast and enjoy a quiet morning in Bryant Park.

From there, you can walk a few more blocks and find your way to Time Square, visit all of the fun shops, and see the neon signs.

Around the corner from the Andaz is Grand Central Terminal, which is an incredible place to visit and tour around.  From here, you can also access many subway stations that will take you even further into the city with so many options to explore!

 

The Best Times to Visit New York City

New York City.  The city that never sleeps and the city that has so much to offer any time of the year!  While you truly cannot go wrong, no matter when you decide to visit, some seasons truly offer just a little extra magic than others.  Fall in NYC is by far one of the best times to visit, in our opinion.  The weather is mild but not too hot or too cold, the fall festivities are plentiful, and the fall foliage really pops against the gray concrete jungle.

Christmas is another excellent option, and if you want to enjoy all of the beautiful Christmas magic without the huge crowds, try visiting in mid to late November or early January!

 

Final Thoughts on the Andaz 5th Avenue

A truly unique hotel in the heart of New York City.  The Andaz on 5th Avenue offers something that many NYC hotels do not, which is lots of space and plenty of amenities.  The location cannot be beaten if you are looking for a place to stay that is in the middle of all the action.  The hotel was clean, and the staff was helpful and knowledgeable.  We highly recommend this hotel as an option if you are planning a trip to New York City.