All-Suites Hotel
The Benjamin
East 50th Street
125
10022 New York City
Midtown East Manhattan
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
US-Dollar
|
|
| EZ | - |
| DZ | - |
| MBZ | 264-825 |
| Suite | - |
|
||
|
Built in 1927, the Benjamin has been completely renovated to restore the details and original design of this historical structure. The gracious two-story lobby features a domed ceiling and grand staircase leading to the Benjamin lounge. Special amenities and state-of-the-art technology are featured in every suite. Highly recommended for top-level executives and VIPS. REVIEWED BY 'MANHATTAN USERS GUIDE': What would make the Waldorf-Astoria nervous? The Benjamin, holding a slingshot toward the Goliath. This hotel, built in 1927, designed by Emery Roth, has been operating as the undistinguished Hotel Beverly for many years until it was purchased in 1997 by the Manhattan East Suite chain. The 30 million dollar restoration, applied to 209 rooms, was completed in April, 1999, yielding a distinguished and delightful hotel. It is named for the founder of the hotel chain, Benjamin Denihan, Sr. A word about the Denihans. During most of our site inspections of the 250 properties we visited, we would ask the staff member how long they had been with the hotel. Answers generally ranged from one week to a couple of years. That's par for the course in the hotel industry, where employees check in and out almost as frequently as guests. In the case of the Manhattan East Suite employees, the pattern is entirely different. Six years, ten years, fourteen years were far more typical responses. More than one offered an impromptu and heartfelt speech about their loyalty to the Denihan family and the company. This attitude surely affects how guests are treated and we consider it a major asset of the chain. The Benjamin is their 10th New York property, and while it has some of the hallmarks of their other hotels, it really should be considered separately. Geared to the executive business traveler, the hotel has been wired like an office building, so that guests have high-speed internet access in their rooms and the hotel is as ready as it can be for whatever technology throws its way. The look of the rooms is contemporary, in a soft and pleasing way, as if someone took the family living room and made improvements, replacing the fabrics with mohair, linen and chenille. The walls and carpeting are a light beige and earth tones dominate throughout. As is typical for this hotel chain, the fundamentals are well covered. The Serta mattresses are especially comfortable and the hotel had a wonderful idea with its pillow menu. There are eleven types, including down, foam, hypo-allergenic gel-filled, buckwheat-filled, water-filled, one that offers 'magnetic therapy', and a five-foot body cushion pregnant women often find helpful. The water pressure seems fine, and crucially, given the noisy Lexington Avenue address, the rooms are quiet. That's because the windows are not only double paned, they're injected with argon gas. All guest rooms have a smoke alarm and sprinkler system. There are amenities galore. Two-lines phones, dataport with high speed internet access, direct inward dial and voice mail, a fax/scanner/printer/copier, safe (large enough for a laptop and thoughtfully on a table in the closet rather than on the floor), iron and ironing board, Frette bed linen and bathrobe, Bose radio, movies on command, TV web browser, individual temperature control, video checkout, fresh flowers, and CD and tape player (the latter in the one-bedroom suites). The white marble bathrooms have a phone, makeup mirror and hair dryer. They also have a 'shower caddy', which hangs on the wall and gives you a mirror to shave by as well as a convenient place to stash shampoo and other items. You'll also get Judith Jackson aromatherapy bath products. Visitors who are in town on business will not only appreciate the internet access but the large desk on wheels and the ergonomically-designed swivel chair. The desk doubles as a dining room table. The galley kitchen with coffee pot, microwave, and mini-fridge is another useful amenity. The suites with terraces may not be useful but they certainly are pleasant. You could place yourself under house arrest here and live well. Larry Forgione's restaurant An American Place has relocated from 32nd Street to the ground floor of the hotel, there is a Woodstock spa on the premises (most treatments can also be done in your room), and a small, 24-hour fitness facility with treadmills, bikes, stairsteppers and free weights. A concierge staff can offer the usual assistance. The hotel chain is committed to environmentally-friendly programs, participating not only in an extensive recycling program, but offering guests a rosette to place on the bed if they do not want fresh linen or towels daily. When the owners installed all the fancy wiring they must have wanted the Benjamin to be a hotel of the future. It's certainly a nice thought. |
|
||
|
Lagebeschreibung:
|
