The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York

Midtown, New York

Virgin rating

One Bedroom Suite
Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studio
Guest Room
One Bedroom Suite
Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studio
Deluxe Studio
Guest Room

The hotel

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel, a landmark hotel located in Midtown Manhattan with it’s classic décor and intimate boutique setting provides a sense of sophisticated glamour in New York City.  Located at 50th and Lexington Avenue, The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York exudes old-world Manhattan with oversized rooms and suites (many with kitchenettes). The hotel offers quick access to the best luxury boutiques on 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Centre and St. Patrick’s Cathedral and array of fine dining options. Fitness Center located on the 3rd floor open 24 hours. Laundry and pressing services available. Complimentary newspapers available in the lobby. The Cupboard conveniently located in the lobby provides snacks, beverages and sundries for purchase without going far.

Amenities

  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Close to City Centre

Where is it

Situated on the corner of East 50th Street and Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan; close to Fifth Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, the Rockefeller Centre and Bloomingdales. Transfer time from John F. Kennedy International Airport: 40 minutes.

Hotel information

209 guest rooms and suites, all of which have been recently refurbished as of July 2024. All with air-conditioning, 42” HD flat-screen cable TV, iPod alarm clock, kitchenette, mini-fridge, bathrobes, WiFi access*. 

Guest Rooms are 250–275 sq ft and have 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Deluxe Studios are 300–350 sq ft, and have 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

One Bedroom Suites are 450–550 sq ft with a separate living area with 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, and 1 queen-size or 1 king-size bed in the bedroom, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

The National Bar & Dining Rooms (classic NYC bistro dishes served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, temporarily closed). 

Winks’ Kidzzz Club. 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness room and steam room. 

Laundry/dry-cleaning services*. 24/7 reception team, concierge and shoe shine services. Complimentary WiFi in public areas.

This hotel has a facility fee of $39 plus tax, per room per day (payable locally, subject to change).

Fee includes: $15 daily credit to our Cupboard, complimentary Wi-Fi access, unlimited local/long distance calls (excluding international), complimentary use of the Fitness Center, a one-time $15 laundry credit for the stay. (inclusions are subject to availability and change).

One person must be aged 21 years and over in each room at check-in.

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: Building work will be taking place Weekdays, Monday-Friday from  8;00am – 5:00pm untill June '24.

Please note: Due to the temporary closure of the hotel restaurant and room service, staff will provide detailed information at check-in of local dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner (including order-in options). There is also a lobby market available for guests craving a quick snack, with items including chips/crisps, cookies, nuts, water, assorted soft drinks and juices.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2115)
  • Very good (887)
  • Average (335)
  • Poor (131)
  • Terrible (97)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Dont stay here

Oct 21, 2024 Duluth11 Denver, Colorado

Noisy, constant walking overhead. I complained and was given a lame excuse about housekeeping making the noise. Well now it is 8:00 and more walking overhead….I have stayed here for years. Never again. So much fir the remodel….poor front desk service.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating AVOID THIS HOTEL. THE STAFF ARE EXTREMELY UNHELPFUL, RUDE, AND U PROFESSIONAL.

Oct 16, 2024 Chelsae L

Avoid staying at this hotel if you expect even basic courtesy from the staff. Upon check-in, I was assigned a room with an unbearably loud air conditioning unit, making it impossible to hear anything unless it was turned off. When I went to the front desk, to inform them that there was excessive noise, I was told I’d have to wait to see if another… Read more
Avoid staying at this hotel if you expect even basic courtesy from the staff. Upon check-in, I was assigned a room with an unbearably loud air conditioning unit, making it impossible to hear anything unless it was turned off. When I went to the front desk, to inform them that there was excessive noise, I was told I’d have to wait to see if another room was available due to a system issue. Meanwhile, I watched other guests being assisted while I was ignored for 30 minutes. Eventually, I was offered a room on another floor (same unity) but I declined, as the guest next door had the same issue and asked to change rooms right before me. I was told this was the only room available, with no further options. To change rooms, I had to offer to pay more for a slightly upgraded room on the third floor, which faced noisy street construction that continued through all hours of the night. When I sought further assistance, the front desk staff responded dismissively, telling me that no room could meet my “standards.” They are so rude and blame the guest for everything. What standards do I have? Just to get a room to sleep? At midnight, after enduring the contraction and street drilling, I requested a room change again, only to be yelled at, gaslit, and blamed for my frustration. I even went downstairs to the front desk, asking why she would say such offensive statements and why she’s just being so unhelpful. The staff member refused to assist further, citing my “tone” as the issue, and walked away, leaving me unattended and without support. She walked to the back room behind the desk and would not come out to speak to me or help me. I was left in tears and the security guard had to help me when that isn’t even his job. Every staff member there is extremely rude they make you feel horrible about yourself and your stay and I do not recommend anyone staying there. After I checked out, the manager called me and was worse than the staff. Offered zero help or compensation And also blamed me for being rude to everyone which led to the staff behavior being justified. She yelled at me that I was cutting her off when she was trying to speak when I was simply just trying to relay the fact she kept telling me everything was my fault. If anybody wants a peaceful stay With good service and respect stay away from this hotel. I travel a lot and have never experienced anything like this. One after the other was more rude and more unhelpful. I left in tears Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great experience

Oct 15, 2024 Kristie L

I booked this hotel on Costco travel since it has been newly renovated, in a great location in Midtown, and came with complimentary early check in at 2pm and complimentary checkout at 2pm. Check in and check out was a breeze. We had a deluxe studio suite with king bed. The room was spacious with a desk and chair area. It had a little kitchenette… Read more
I booked this hotel on Costco travel since it has been newly renovated, in a great location in Midtown, and came with complimentary early check in at 2pm and complimentary checkout at 2pm. Check in and check out was a breeze. We had a deluxe studio suite with king bed. The room was spacious with a desk and chair area. It had a little kitchenette for us to use. The bathroom was a little small, but worked fine for the 2 of us. I liked the new black and white marble floors and shower tiles. The subway is on the same block, walking distance to shopping, MoMA, Rockefeller, restaurants, near Paid Baguette for yummy breakfast pastries. The daily house keeping service was great and non intrusive. The lobby is small but beautifully redone. We were only in our room to rest midafternoon for an hour and to sleep at night after a long day of fun and sightseeing in the city. Would definitely recommend this hotel for mid range price and location. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The very definition of average at a premier price.

Sep 18, 2024 craigF6808HV Washington DC, District of Columbia

Sonesta did precisely what I suspected it would do when it purchased the Royal Benjamin. It ruined the hotel's charm without any meaningful upgrade. It is now the very definition of average. The design is stunningly stupid. There were only four hangers in the closet of a suite , largely because they put the dresser in the closet. There's no… Read more
Sonesta did precisely what I suspected it would do when it purchased the Royal Benjamin. It ruined the hotel's charm without any meaningful upgrade. It is now the very definition of average. The design is stunningly stupid. There were only four hangers in the closet of a suite , largely because they put the dresser in the closet. There's no space to hang more than four items, and obviously, the hotel is aware of that. Moreover, the doors were terrible scratched, the furniture was uncomfortable and tacky, and there's no space in the bathroom bor bath towels. I found them on the bed. Sonesta didn't renovate the hotel; they chepened it. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding Facilities, Luxury Service

Sep 16, 2024 H1500QEtimothym

Spent four nights for my 25th wedding anniversary - wish it could have been much, much longer! I will admit that I was a little apprehensive about booking this hotel, due to some prior reviews. However, we booked a terrace suite on the 24th floor, and the views and the room simply could not have been more spectacular! Courteous staff;… Read more
Spent four nights for my 25th wedding anniversary - wish it could have been much, much longer! I will admit that I was a little apprehensive about booking this hotel, due to some prior reviews. However, we booked a terrace suite on the 24th floor, and the views and the room simply could not have been more spectacular! Courteous staff; immaculate lobby; and location, location, location, right in the heart of the City. We had thought to use ride-sharing, but ended up walking to most of our destinations. There is no restaurant on-site, which is a bit of a downer; but there is a cafe literally next door with excellent food; and two doors down is an elegant sidewalk Italian restaurant. I had heard that NYC is an eater's paradise, and my waistline certainly agrees! I wanted to extend an extra special "shout out" to Anya, the concierge. We were so busy running back and forth the entire time that we did not get the chance to meet her in person; but Anya was like the "Ghost of Christmas Present" in the background making certain that our room was perfect for us, with extra special touches that literally took our breath away. We saw so many, many beautiful things during our trip; but the Sonesta is the one constant that we keep referring back to as perhaps the absolute highlight of our stay. We simply could not have been any happier. Read less