Excellent experience overall
I and several colleagues stayed at the Andaz for a week-long business trip, and it speaks volumes for the experience that not one person in the group of frequent business travellers had a single complaint, and instead most had praise and made sure we were booked here for our next trip. That never happens! The staff is very helpful (although someone did try to check us in again every single time we came in with rolling briefcases!), but it is the overall atmosphere and approach that makes it a nice change from your typical hotel. There is more of a boutique/living room feel to the lobby, and guests have lots of places to sit and enjoy the complementary wine in the evenings while clearing emails or catching up. It is very inviting, as is the bar on the concourse level. The rooms feel more like an apartment to me than a hotel room, and were very comfortable. The Respire rooms are great if you have allergies - I was put in one after merely asking for foam pillows, and it actually made a big difference for me. For the rates charged in NY, it is nice to see a hotel including soft drinks and snacks in your room at no charge, along with wireless. If you have any reason to stay downtown, the Andaz is a great choice for business or leisure, and is close to the subway - I was able to easily get to midtown for a business dinner by hopping the subway, although you do have to allow about 30 minutes. Great hotel, we'll be back.