Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that in summer 2012, the Avia hotels in Napa (Caifornia) and Savannah (Georgia) will be re-flagged as Andaz Napa and Andaz Savannah, respectively, bringing the total number of hotels in the Andaz brand to eight. The opening of Andaz Amsterdam, Prinsengracht the ninth Andaz hotel, is expected to follow shortly thereafter. Local architecture and design firms will work to showcase the surrounding areas through their design of the Andaz Lounge in both the Napa and Savannah hotels.

Andaz Napa, California
Prior to its conversion to an Andaz hotel, California architecture and design firm Bishop Pass will complete some renovations to Avia Napa. When it is reflagged in a few months, the first Andaz hotel in Northern California will offer 141 rooms and suites in the revitalized “West End” district of downtown Napa. Bringing the outdoors in, all of Andaz Napa’s guestrooms will offer modern furnishings in an earthy color palette, complementing the surrounding landscape. Bathrooms will sparkle in white marble and feature walk-in showers and waterfall shower heads. Guests will also enjoy complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in their room throughout their stay. And as with all Andaz hotels, guests of Andaz Napa will be greeted by hosts in the Andaz Lounge upon arrival, who will accommodate, guide and assist travelers throughout their stay. Also, in keeping with the Andaz brand, the renovation of the hotel’s lobby to a lounge will pay tribute to the local area with its design inspired by the region.

The hotel’s signature restaurant and bar will showcase a “Napa-to-table” philosophy, sourcing its produce directly from Northern California ranches, orchards, mills and farms that built the valley into what it is today while dishes will focus on heritage cooking techniques and flavor combinations suited to modern day palates. To accompany the menu, the restaurant will offer a selection of high-end and boutique wines from the Napa and Sonoma regions.

Events and meetings at Andaz Napa will be made to order and can accommodate groups of up to 130 in three versatile venues, complemented by inventive, locally-inspired cuisine. Other hotel amenities at Andaz Napa will include a 24-hour fitness center and a rotating art gallery showcasing works made by local artists.

Andaz Savannah, Georgia
As with the soon-to-be reflagged Avia Napa, Avia Savannah will also have some renovations completed – in this location local architect and designer, Gonzalez Architects, will help the hotel complete its transformation to Andaz Savannah. The hotel is located on the southeast U.S. coast, situated in the heart of downtown Savannah, just steps away from City Market, shopping on the renowned Broughton Street, and fantastic nightlife venues.

Offering 151 guestrooms, Andaz Savannah rooms and suites will offer contemporary furnishings and modern bathrooms, and travelers will delight in the variety of complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments offered in-room during their stay. And like Andaz Napa, guests will be greeted by local hosts that will also assist guests with concierge services, like booking a city walking tour, directing travelers to the newest emerging artist installation, or organizing transportation.

The restaurant at Andaz Savannah will serve a market to table menu with a low country flare. Coupled with the staff’s warm hospitality and new south sophistication, Andaz Savannah will create an inspiring experience for guests, business travelers and local community members alike. Andaz Savannah’s meeting and event planners will assist in organizing weddings, boardroom meetings, and special events for groups of up to 250. Featuring 2,675 sq ft of studio meeting space, and three distinct and versatile venues, Andaz Savannah will accommodate an impressive array of small meeting and event needs.

Rounding out the hotel’s amenities will be a 24-hour fitness center, and rotating art shows that feature works produced by local artists, including those from the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design.

Opening marks debut of Andaz brand in Asia.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Andaz Shanghai, introducing its vibrant lifestyle brand Andaz to Asia. The newly constructed 28-story hotel is located in Xintiandi, a landmark entertainment area in the heart of downtown Shanghai and a short walk to the Metro and Huai Hai Zong Road, one of the city’s main shopping areas.

The Xintiandi neighborhood, on the edge of the former French Concession, retains the antique walls, tiles and façades of the traditional shikumen (stone-gate) houses of old Shanghai, while the interiors showcase prestigious modern brands, fashion boutiques, stylish restaurants and bars, creating a landmark destination that combines the historical and cultural identities of the city.

Inspired by the dynamic and distinctive surroundings, Andaz Shanghai is devoted to providing highly personalized, uncomplicated service in an atmosphere that fully embraces the best of Shanghai and allows guests to experience it authentically.

Guestrooms, Facilities and Architecture

Andaz Shanghai features 307 spacious guestrooms, including 47 premier rooms and suites, ranging in size from 850 to 2,000 square feet (80 to 193 square meters), all enjoying vibrant views over Xintiandi or the city. In an effort to make a stay as uncomplicated as possible, all non-alcoholic mini bar drinks and all-day light snacks in the Andaz Lounge are complimentary, as are local telephone calls and wireless Internet access.

Mood lighting has been used to impressive effect: LED lighting on the ceiling allows guests to choose the color and mood of their room, while, in the bathroom, where the walls resemble a roughly hewn rock face, the transparent sink and translucent bath can also be programmed to glow in different colors.

“Andaz Shanghai sets a new standard for modern, high-rise buildings in historic urban districts in its innovative design, diverse program mix, and connection to surrounding context. Synthesizing old and new, the hotel responds sensitively with a warm-gray stone cladding and low-rise podiums that engage the historic neighborhood at street level, while at the same

time, the project’s powerful architectural form and high-end amenities embody the dynamism of modern-day cosmopolitan Shanghai,” said Joshua Chaiken, design principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the architecture design firm for the hotel. “Andaz Shanghai conveys a fashionable sensibility that extends and further develops the character of the historic Xintiandi.”

Restaurants and Bars

Restaurants and bars at Andaz Shanghai showcase the vibrant local neighborhood and adhere to the “market-to-table” philosophy of offering fresh, seasonal local produce. The accompanying wine lists offer the best of boutique vintners and include international selections.

The Andaz Lounge is the heartbeat of the hotel, a casual, all-day space where guests and visitors can congregate for a convivial drink or snack. The signature drink in the Andaz Lounge is the Kir Royale, made with original crème de cassisliqueur from France.

Adjacent to Andaz Lounge is Éclair, a patisserie which, as the name suggests, specializes in the classic French pastry, as well as freshly baked breads, cakes, homemade ice cream and refreshing drinks.

The main dining and wining outlet in the hotel is Hai Pai (a local phrase meaning “modern Shanghainese spirit”), which is a four-level hub positioned to become Shanghai’s premier dining and entertaining destination housing two restaurants, a bar and private dining rooms, which cast a beckoning, welcoming light across the surrounding streets.

With terrace views overlooking Xintiandi, the restaurant aspires to be a friendly, neighborhood eatery offering unpretentious Shanghainese and French comfort food. Four private dining rooms with seating for six to 16 people, are available for guests who prefer privacy, and in these rooms, tailor-made menus can be offered for special occasions.

Recreation

Andaz Shanghai offers more than 23,000 square feet (2,200 square meters) of relaxation facilities, featuring a translucent indoor pool, which glows with internal LED lighting and a 24-hour gym with the latest cardio workout equipment to help drive away stress and enable guests to stay fit while traveling.

Opening at a later stage, Optime Spa, like its legendary city, will draw on both old and new, paying homage to proven Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods while adopting the best of modern holistic and wellness practices to offer cutting-edge, anti-aging and results-oriented treatments.

Art

The artwork at Andaz Shanghai – all by artists with a strong connection to the city – was selected around the theme of “Collective New Media Art,” referencing the hotel’s unique location, and exploring themes of past and present, new and old, deconstruction and reconstruction. The artwork aims to challenge the conventions of art in a hotel space and break down boundaries for visual experiences, allowing guests not only to observe, but also to interact with pieces. The diverse mixed media used, from LED lighting to sensors and from video projections to recycled materials, combine to create an eclectic and refreshingly unconventional collection.

“We look forward to introducing the Andaz brand to Asia and welcoming guests to experience our personal, flexible, authentic hospitality first hand,” said Wilson Lee, general manager of the hotel. “Andaz Shanghai is for people who want to truly discover the city while enjoying all the comforts of a leading international hotel brand. We want our guests to experience Shanghai and our hotel the waythey want to, while we are doing everything we can to cater to their andaz.”

Opening will mark debut of Andaz brand in Asia.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that Andaz Shanghai, the first Andaz hotel in Asia, will open in Shanghai, China this summer. The newly constructed 24-story hotel, featuring 307 spacious guest rooms, will be located in Xintiandi, a landmark entertainment area in the heart of downtown Shanghai.

“Shanghai has become increasingly influential as a financial and commercial center and is a critically important city for international and in-country travelers and we are excited to introduce the Andaz brand there,” said Steve Haggerty, Global Head of Real Estate and Development for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “The addition of the Andaz brand in Shanghai, which has three Hyatt hotels today, marks an important milestone for Andaz and we expect Andaz Shanghai to become the brand’s flagship in the region. Andaz Shanghai will be a spectacular addition to the Andaz family, which has six additional properties under development in key gateway cities and resort destinations around the world.”

Andaz Shanghai will feature 262 standard rooms measuring 40 square meters, as well as 45 suites, ranging in size from 82 – 193 square meters, a restaurant, brasserie, bar, lounge, a spa and pool and 1,300 square meters of function space.

Located in Xintiandi, the internationally acclaimed restoration development featuring stylish restaurants, bars, and boutiques, Andaz Shanghai will be a short walk to the Metro and the prestigious Huai Hai Zhong Road, one of Shanghai’s main shopping areas. As demonstrated by the 73 million visitors to the World Expo in 2010, Shanghai will continue to be a popular destination for the world’s travelers.

Five Andaz hotels are currently open: Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street in New York City, Andaz Liverpool Street in London, Andaz San Diego, and Andaz West Hollywood. Andaz hotels are under development around the world in the following locations: Amsterdam Netherlands; Delhi, India; Papagayo, Costa Rica; Sanya, China; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands; and Wailea-Makena, Hawaii.

Global in scale while local in perspective, Andaz delivers an innovative hospitality experience and attentive, uncomplicated service designed to accommodate guests’ personal preferences. Hotels in this unique collection reflect the spirit of their locale, and are dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living spaces where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of comfort and style.

Spectacular ocean-front property located on Mokapu Beach in Maui, Hawaii

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group, a leading global private investment firm focused on real estate, announced today that affiliates of Hyatt and Starwood Capital Group have formed a joint venture to acquire an existing property (currently the closed Renaissance Resort) and redevelop it into Andaz Wailea Resort and Residences, an ocean front resort on Mokapu Beach in Maui, Hawaii, within the premier master planned resort of Wailea. Hyatt anticipates that its investment in the project will be approximately $90 million.

Slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2012, Andaz Wailea Resort and Residences will mark the expansion of Hyatt’s Andaz brand into a key resort market. Andaz Wailea Resort and Residences will be located along 600 feet of Mokapu Beach in one of the most sought after leisure and resort destinations in North America. The Wailea master plan includes a 1.2 mile-long oceanfront beach path connecting all of its world class beaches, a premier shopping center, distinguished restaurants and a 54-hole golf club and a tennis club.

Andaz Wailea will feature 255 rooms and 35 suites ranging from 456 to 2,321 square-feet, as well as six four-bedroom villas averaging approximately 3,500 square-feet. The property will include a variety of amenities including a three-meal specialty restaurant, cascading outdoor pools with an adjacent bar and specialty restaurant, a 15,000 square-foot spa, gym, lobby lounge, and meeting space. The hotel will be the second Andaz hotel designed by internationally acclaimed architect and designer David Rockwell of Rockwell Group, following the January 2010 debut of Andaz Wall Street in New York City.

“The opportunity to develop a world-class resort along one of Hawaii’s most desirable beaches is unique, and we are delighted to partner with Starwood Capital, a company with a long history of designing and building world-class hotel and resort properties,” said Hyatt Hotels Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Mark S. Hoplamazian. “Andaz Wailea will be a great addition to Hyatt’s resort portfolio and an important new market for Andaz.”

“Wailea is truly one of the world’s great treasures and we are very pleased to deepen our relationship with Hyatt through this partnership and create a unique destination resort there,” said Barry S. Sternlicht, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Capital Group. “The burgeoning Andaz brand is a perfect fit for this vibrant community and the partnership structure with Hyatt ensures we will bring the best of both companies together to create a stunning property. Having been intimately involved in the design of the asset, it will be exciting to see it come to life as the Andaz Wailea.”

Personal and uncomplicated, Andaz is a new hotel experience that blends fresh, engaging hospitality and stylish, vibrant settings, created with simplicity and locality in mind. Andaz Wailea will join Andaz Liverpool Street London, Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Wall Street, Andaz San Diego and Andaz 5th Avenue. Additional Andaz hotels under development include Andaz Amsterdam, Andaz Delhi, India; Andaz Papagayo, Costa Rica; Andaz Sanya Sunny Bay, China; and Andaz Turks and Caicos.

Uh, have the hotel gods—well, Andaz—mistaken the July Fourth holiday for Christmas? Because they’ve gone ahead and brought the opening of their newest outpost, Andaz 5th Avenue forward to July 5th.

Granted, this is a soft opening—presumably not every service and amenity will be available right away—but still, this is impressive. We’re so used to tracking hotel delays that we don’t tend to expect hotels to open earlier than scheduled.

Bravo, Andaz, for kicking off the summer—and the second half of 2010—on such a positive note! We wonder if the rest of the upcoming NYC hotels set to open will take this as a challenge. (Please?)

As for the nitty gritty details, those Summer Preview Rates are still in effect for the new opening date, July 5th—and yup, there is availability. Rooms start at $295 a night for an Andaz King.

Source: HotelChatter

Former Public Library on Prinsengracht to Become Upscale Lifestyle Hotel

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced that a Hyatt subsidiary, Aedes Real Estate and Marcel Wanders signed agreements for Andaz Amsterdam. Planned for opening in 2012, the 122-room Andaz Amsterdam will be located on the site of the former Public Library on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht and within close walking distance from the city’s major attractions. The lifestyle hotel will become part of the rich cultural character of the Jordaan district, home to the city’s main modern art galleries. The hotel will be developed by Aedes Real Estate and Marcel Wanders will be responsible for the interior design.

In line with other Andaz branded hotels, Andaz Amsterdam will combine the best of lifestyle and boutique hotels with a contemporary and personal approach. Hyatt will offer its guests an authentic stay in the heart of Amsterdam focusing on an innovative hospitality experience blending personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated service.

“It will be a design hotel of unparalleled style,” said Paul Geertman of Aedes Real Estate. “Together with Hyatt and Wanders, we will create a world class hotel, which will be characterized by style and hospitality. The entire hotel will be developed according to the highest quality standards with a special focus on sustainability. The location of course is marvellous. Only the outside of the original building will be recognizable. Behind the façade a total new development will be created. Andaz Amsterdam will be the first genuine lifestyle hotel in the Netherlands.”

“We are proud to introduce Andaz Amsterdam as our first Andaz hotel on the European mainland and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ first hotel in The Netherlands,” said Gebhard Rainer, managing director for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “Amsterdam is a key cultural city in Europe and Andaz Amsterdam will be vibrant yet relaxed, reflecting the unique cultural scene and spirit of the surrounding neighborhood.”

“With the signing of Andaz Amsterdam, we are furthering our strategy of entering new markets, including those markets with significant barriers of entry such as the Dutch capital,” said Oliver Berger, vice president acquisitions & development for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The design concept of Andaz Amsterdam and the stylish allure of the rooms will reflect a modern view on Dutch history and will come to life through the vision of renowned architect and designer Marcel Wanders. Marcel Wanders Studio works on architectural and interior design projects ranging from private residences to the hospitality industry. Various designs of Marcel Wanders have been selected for the most important design collections and exhibitions in the world, in places such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and San Francisco, the V&A Museum in London and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.

Andaz Amsterdam will feature the Andaz Studio; the hotel brand’s meeting facilities, an executive boardroom, a lounge, bar and restaurant as well as fitness and business centers.