Hyatt Hotels & Resorts just opened its second property under its hip new Andaz brand, located on Los Angeles' legendary Sunset Strip, the Andaz West Hollywood. The first Andaz opened in 2007 in London. Eschewing the usual check in process, Andaz guests are received in the Andaz Lounge, a "non-traditional multi-use social space" where they're greeted by an Andaz Host who serves the functions of the front office agent, concierge and bell attendant as well as providing insight into the neighborhood. At the 14-story Andaz West Hollywood, New York-based architecture and interior design firm Janson Goldstein LLP developed a "series of engaging spaces featuring design sensibilities tied to the locale."

Beginning with a dramatic glass garden pavilion set off the main entrance, the hotel showcases a commissioned cascading hand-painted metal disk 11-foot sculpture by renowned New York-based artist Jacob Hashimoto. Throughout the hotel, there are installations from Los Angeles artists and impromptu music performances from some of the city's up-and-coming musicians. The public spaces , from the dramatic rooftop terrace (above) with heated pool and daybed seating to the vibrant restaurant and bar are the focus at Andaz. The hotel boasts spectacular panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills on one side and the Sunset Strip and downtown Los Angeles on the other.

In addition to the magnificent views, the Andaz's 257 rooms, including 20 expansive suites, include sitting areas and many also features a glass-enclosed sunroom overlooking Sunset Boulevard. The design incorporates eco-conscious elements, with features such as special coating on the sunroom windows to reduce solar heat gain and bring in more natural light, as well as wood flooring that has been harvested under regional environmental guidelines using sustainable forestry practices. The Andaz is the site of the former Hyatt West Hollywood, known until 1997 as the Continental Hyatt House, a favorite of traveling rock bands.

The first hotel in Hyatt's new Andaz chain is open for business. Andaz Liverpool Street, London is the beginning of a brand that is meant to be eco-conscious, reflective of local culture,personal, and of course, luxurious. The hotel has no front desks at check in, no separate concierge desk or receptionist. Instead one contact, the "Andaz Team Member" responds to guests' personal tastes, requests and preferences. Guests are checked in via Tablet PC`s, either en route to the guest room, or upon arrival. The room rate is inclusive of breakfast, internet access, healthy mini bar items, laundry and a selection of DVDs. The hotel has five restaurants that specialize in sushi, pub food, fine dining, seafood and bistro fare. The hotel also has a new art collection in the guest corridors and East End Contemporary Art Tours are launched from the hotel. Also local chracters have created iPod play lists that appear on loan iPods in the Andaz living room which replaces the lobby area. The eco-conscious angles in the London hotel are that the toilets use 80% less water, a computer-controlled boiler reduces fuel use, intelligent lighting, locally-sourced food and the use of fair-trade purchasing. Rates begin at $810 for single occupancy and $850 for double occupancy.

The house wine at the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts will now really be the house wine. The hotel company has announced a new signature wine brand, Canvas, which was developed in partnership with Folio Fine Wine Partners, a Napa Valley, Calif.-based company owned by the Michael Mondavi family. The wine comes in three varietals so far: a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2005 Merlot and a 2005 Chardonnay. As part of the rollout, Hyatt sommelier Andrea Robinson Immer will provide training for hotel staff and host wine tasting events at properties across the Unites States.

The former downtown headquarters of JP Morgan Chase, 75 Wall Street, a rose-colored brick tower, is making the switch from office building to luxury condos and a hotel. The building will be home to an Andaz hotel, the recently announced new luxury lifestyle arm of Hyatt. The 250-suite hotel will take up the lower part of the building while the upper 24 floors will be home to 350 condominiums. The Rockwell Group, an architectural design firm, will be reconfiguring the interiors and public spaces.

The residences will have loft-like layouts from studios to three bedrooms. There will also be duplex penthouses with custom library walls, fireplaces and terrace with wet bars. Other details include large picture windows, 10-foot ceilings, white marble baths, cerused oak flooring and an overhead storage system to maximize space. Amenities such as room service, catering, housekeeping and concierge service are also planned. The tower will also feature Club 75, a lifestyle area that will house a fitness center, massage treatment rooms, media room and game room. On the 42nd floor rooftop there will be a solarium, lounge, sandy beach, hot tub, hammocks, grills and a lounging area with a fireplace and a kitchen. Completion is set for 2008.

One of the ways that Hyatt is keeping up with the boutique hotels is to create little oases inside their larger hotels. The Barai is a new spa concept that is part of the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin in Thailand. The spa offers just eight residential spa suites and 18 private treatment suites. The bottom floor residential suites have plunge pools while the upper suites have balconies with view of the Gulf of Thailand. The spa offers yoga, meditation and a variety of treatments and will open in March.

It started with boutique hotels and moved on to larger chains like the Westin, now Hyatt becomes the latest to take part in the trend of hotels offering beds, furnishings and other home decor items for sale. Hyatt has lauched HyattAtHome, an online store with Hyatt and partner-branded luxury products ranging from Eames chairs to exercise equipment. Those who buy the Hyatt's Grand Bed (prices start at $900) receive the White Glove Delivery service which includes red bow wrapping around the mattress, complete assembly and removal of old mattress upon request.

Red Door Spa, the Elizabeth Arden company which has been in the day spa business longer than most is continuing to expand into the destination market. They have day spas in several resorts but they are opening a new destination spa, the Red Door Lifestyle Spa, Elizabeth Arden at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure in Weston, Florida. The 48,000-square-foot spa will offer three, five or seven day packages that includes services such as executive coaching and nutritional counseling as well as massages, classes and the other usual spa treatments. The spa has 30 private treatment rooms, a beauty salon, fitness center, hot yoga room, Pilates studio and a movement studio. Spagoers meet with a consultant at the start of their stay to create a customized plan.

We recently saw American Express offer a series of online auctions and now Hyatt is getting in the game offering their Gold Passport customers the chance to bid on five new Hyatt experiences. The auction takes place from May 26 through June 1. The five lots are:

--a stay at the Park Hyatt Milan and tickets to Formula 1 and Porsche Michelin Supercup races in Monza, Italy
--a sweet sixteen party at a HyaTTeen suite
--a VIP experience at Universal Studios Hollywood
--a spa experience at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
--a stay at the Park Hyatt Sydney and Sydney Opera House tickets

Gold Passport members use their points to bid on the travel packages. You have to have a lot of points to play, the bidding starts at 50,000 points.

Since sweet 16 parties are now all the rage, Hyatt Resorts has launched the "HyaTTeen Suite 16" program, which creates a Sweet 16 sleepover party at participating Hyatt Resorts. The package includes a consultation with the "birthday concierge," a stay for up to two adults and six teens in a two-bedroom suite. limo, robe for the birthday teen, use of a digital camera, dinner for eight including a special birthday dessert, popcorn and candy and movies and a continental breakfast the next morning. The package starts at $2,500 and add-ons can include spa treatments, jet ski tours or surfing lessons.

While the German team stays in Berlin, the US World Cup Team has made arrangements to stay at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Hamburg, Germany. The hotel is located in the center of the city and, while not having quite the same historical significance of the Schlosshotel Berlin, it is hardly lacking. The 282-room hotel occupies the top floors of the Levantehaus building, an old but historic warehouse that has been stripped and luxuriously finished. Ultramodern with a hint of old-fashioned charm in its decor, the rooms are largely minimalist. It offers all the usual amenities found in modern hotels, including high speed internet and satellite television, as well as an indoor pool and health club.

The largest room at the Hyatt is the Presidential Suite. At 1,500-square feet, the suite offers views of the city from the living room and, in addition to the highly detailed decor throughout the suite, a marble bath with a waterfall shower. Access to a private concierge is also provided.