ANDAZ IS HYATT WHEN HYATT STOPS ACTING LIKE A HOTEL CHAIN

Andaz is what happens when Hyatt loosens the tie. The properties are upscale, design-heavy and intentionally connected to their neighborhoods, but they don't all look like somebody copied and pasted the same hotel into a different city. Miami Beach should feel like Miami Beach. Tokyo should feel like Tokyo. Mexico City should feel like Mexico City. Simple concept. Hotel companies screw it up all the time.

That's what we like about Andaz. You still get World of Hyatt, which matters if you've got points or status, but the experience has more personality than a traditional Hyatt Regency. The locations don't hurt either. London, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Costa Rica, Maui and now Miami Beach give Andaz a pretty damn attractive passport.

But here's the problem: Andaz can charge like it's much more special than it actually is. Some properties absolutely earn the rate. Others are basically a very nice lifestyle hotel with a Hyatt logo hiding somewhere and a bill that makes you reread the confirmation email.