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Although a native New Yorker, I now travel here for work and after years of searching for a great location, service and comfort, I found my home in my hometown, The Benjamin. From the classic lobby to the views onto Lexington Avenue, The Benjamin is a throw back with modern amenities and comforts. I enjoy the personalized service from the front desk to the room attendants. I enjoy its midtown location and I enjoy the affordable pricing. The view from my room, which is in the review, was something out of a movie. All in all, The Benjamin is my hotel of choice when in Manhattan.

I have previously stayed at The Benjamin on business trips but this was my first time staying with my family and small dog on a personal trip. We booked a one bedroom suite and called to sign up for the "Dream Dog" program. Upon arrival, there was a beautiful small dog bed and food and water bowls awaiting my pup. No pet fees, deposits, or other charges (compared to other hotels that charge $150/night for my 12 lb, non-shedding potty-trained dog). Everyone was super nice to my dog including the front desk staff who gave him treats, the bellmen, doormen, lady who checked on the mini bar, etc. A+ for dog-friendliness!!The hotel rooms themselves are comfortable - nothing super fancy but extremely comfy bed, nice bathroom, and our suite had a great little kitchen with full-size fridge, dishes, silverware, etc. What really stood out was the service. I was unable to drive up to the hotel the night of my arrival due to barricades around the block (the President staying at a hotel across the street), and after schlepping 5 blocks with luggage and my dog, the front desk gal took pity on me and gave me a coupon for 2 complimentary drinks. The front desk staff was accommodating without fail. We had a question about a movie rental and the front desk told us we could repurchase the movie and they would comp it for us. They answered my many questions about wireless (they charge $14.95 for 24 hours of very slow wireless -- my only complaint since it seems archaic in this day and age to charge for wireless). The room service folks were extremely nice and helpful. The room service food was AMAZING (from The National restaurant - has some good vegetarian options). The pillow delivery guy was very nice, someone who fixed the TV for us was very nice -- we never once felt like we weren't receiving amazing and sincere service.Our room was on the 14th floor overlooking Lexington which was rather noisy despite the soundproof windows - on other stays, I've requested a room not on Lexington and it was more peaceful. The AC units had the option of keeping a fan on "high" all the time which really helped with white noise throughout the suite. The pillows we ordered from the Sleep Concierge/pillow menu were really amazing and the bed very comfy. Overall, this was a very lovely place to stay, super economical if traveling with a small dog, and simply great service. We will be back!

Have stayed at this hotel a few times. This is a great hotel in a great location. My husband, who is a smoker, was in heaven when I found this hotel which has it's own private balcony off our corner suite. A balcony in NYC. Pretty cool! Also has a kitchenette. The room is a little outdated, but overall.. couldn't ask for more. Great views too.. I would definitley stay here again! :)

The Benjamin Hotel, where I've stayed many times, drives me nuts with its inconsistency. While the rooms are spacious and have the convenience of kitchenettes, they are showing wear and tear. On this recent trip, I was given an upgrade (using eStandby, a fairly new feature on the hotel's online booking site). For $20/night, I would be upgraded to a balcony room, if available. I was charged $40/night mistakenly, and the front desk people said that would be remedied. Two days later, when I was checking out, it was still wrong. (Beware, check your bill carefully!) That's #1. #2: The balcony was littered with cigarette butts. I told the front desk that Housekeeping might want to include that on their list of things to clean. #3: After having lunch and returning to the hotel on my second day, I opened the door to discover that my bed was made but there were towels on the floor and the bathroom was yet to be cleaned. I think someone in Housek. needed supplies and left my room to get them. It was just a bit disconcerting. I have to pause (before my comments about the restaurant) to say that, unfailingly, the people at the hotel are kind and polite. Many have been there for years, and when they say, "Welcome back!" they do it with feeling. OK, now on to The National. This is the hotel restaurant, made famous when Geoffrey Zakarian became an Iron Chef on tv. It's quite stylish and the food is yummy. The service, at breakfast (which is when I eat there) can be amateur. I (solo diner) was put at a table under the curving stairwell and felt weirdly on display. Additionally, the back of the stairwell had dustballs the size of Kitchen Stadium! I could have complained, but decided to live with it. No waiter, until I snagged a young man and asked him to please take my simple order of coffee and toast. Coffee came, but toast took about another 10 minutes. I was pleasant, but obviously uncomfortable. A manager comped my breakfast (I didn't ask for this) which was very nice. This is another example of the conudrum that is The Benjamin. Nice people who surprise you with kindness, but inconsistent waitstaff; a rose on Mother's Day but a balconywith cig butts; attentive door staff but billing errors.And last, I say: Benjamin Hotel, it seems that you put a lot of time, effort and money into yourrestaurant and have ignored your rooms! Put a little care into some of the more worn places,including those kitchenettes which could use some updating. Your location is central and your new lobby is lovely. Your staff are sweet. Just put a little more TLC into the details and I'll love you again!

The room was beautiful and the staff was great and very helpful. The concierge gave us a Great recommendation for dinner. When we got there, we received a free appetizer, complementary of the concierge. Good toiletries too. The door man was very nice and friendly. The breakfast place next door is nice too. We would definitely go there again.