The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York

About The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York suits travelers who want a central Midtown East base within walking distance of Grand Central Terminal. Business travelers can reach meetings around Park Avenue and the East Side quickly, while couples and families get a quieter stretch of 50th Street with the Theater District a short ride away. Late arrivals land well here, with a 24 hour front desk listed among the facilities. The building is a 4-star hotel, so expect a full-service stay rather than a small guesthouse.

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York is a 4-star hotel with a supplier guest score of 4.2 out of 5, taken from 872 reviews. That score points to a steady, well-run address rather than a trend-driven one. Days pass easily: the public areas support a working stay, and the Midtown East address keeps the rest of Manhattan close. The supplier's rating describes the standard of the rooms and service, and it is a useful starting point when you compare stays. Check the total price with taxes and fees before booking.

Rooms and listed facilities

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York lists air conditioning, free wifi, a kitchen and kitchenette, a minibar and a safe, which cover couples who want to settle in and families who prefer to eat in sometimes. Business travelers have a fitness center, concierge, laundry service and room service listed, and the 24 hour front desk helps late arrivals. Pets are allowed, and parking and valet parking are listed. Confirm with the property which room types include a kitchenette, and check the total price with taxes and fees.

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York pairs its guest rooms with a short list of practical extras. Couples can plan an evening around the listed restaurant and bar, then return to a minibar and safe in the room. Families often ask about the kitchen and kitchenette, and cots are listed. A terrace and spa are listed for slower afternoons. Confirm sleeping arrangements and any room details directly with the property before you book, and check the total price with taxes and fees.

The setting

The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York stands at 125 E 50th St in Midtown East, a stretch of office blocks, consulates and older apartment buildings a few blocks from Park Avenue. Grand Central Terminal is about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) away in a straight line, and its subway stops serve the rest of the island. Times Square is about 0.7 miles (1.1 km), the edge of Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street about 0.6 miles (0.9 km), and the 9/11 Memorial about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) south.

Location and neighborhood

Midtown East fills the blocks between Fifth Avenue and the East River, from 42nd Street up to 59th Street, with Turtle Bay at its eastern edge. The office core around Grand Central Terminal gives way to side streets of apartment buildings, small gardens and quieter corners. The Chrysler Building marks the skyline near 42nd Street, and the United Nations sits by the East River. Evenings bring theatergoers east from the Theater District and office workers to the neighborhood's dining rooms, so the streets stay busy after the commuters leave.

Turtle Bay rewards a slow walk. The streets between the United Nations and the East River mix row houses, apartment blocks and small parks, with the riverfront close at hand. Grand Central Terminal is the transport anchor, and the Chrysler Building adds a landmark to the skyline. For food lovers, the area works best in the evening: the blocks south of 59th Street hold a spread of dining rooms, from old-line steakhouses to casual noodle shops, and the Theater District is a short ride or walk west. The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York sits within this mix, close to both the office core and the quieter side streets.

Getting there and around

Getting there is straightforward. Grand Central Terminal is the main rail and subway hub, with connections across the city and the region. From The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York, 0.4 miles (0.6 km) brings you to that terminal. JFK and Newark are usually about 45 to 75 minutes by road and rail depending on traffic and connections; the closest airport by road is LaGuardia. The center of Manhattan is around 0.7 miles (1.1 km) away, and LaGuardia is around 13 miles (20.8 km) away. Within the area, walking covers most blocks, and the subway is useful for longer hops. Check current subway service with the MTA and airport transfer details with the airport before you set out.

Nearby sights and food

The area's sights sit within easy reach. Grand Central Terminal is both a working station and a Beaux-Arts landmark, and the Chrysler Building rises nearby. The United Nations complex faces the East River, and the riverfront gives long views across to Queens. The Museum of Modern Art is west of the office core, while the Theater District and Broadway lie a little farther west. Observation decks at several skyscrapers give high views, and Hudson Yards and the Vessel are a short subway ride away. The Intrepid Museum sits on the Hudson side. Check opening days and timed entries with each venue.

Evenings are the main event for food lovers. The blocks around Grand Central and Turtle Bay cover a wide range: steakhouses, Italian trattorias, sushi counters, Thai and Japanese noodle shops, and Irish pubs that fill after office hours. Closer to the United Nations, lunch places give way to quieter dining rooms in the evening. For a quick bite, look for slice counters, falafel shops and food halls; for a longer dinner, book ahead, especially before theater curtains. Menus and opening days change, so check with each place. The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York puts you within walking distance of many of these tables.

A day from The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York

A day from The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York begins with a walk to Grand Central Terminal to see the main concourse before the commuter rush, then continue to the Chrysler Building to check access to its lobby with the building. Spend late morning at the Museum of Modern Art, then take a late lunch in the side streets of Turtle Bay. In the afternoon, walk the United Nations area and the East River promenade, or ride west to the Theater District. Have an early dinner near the office core, then choose a Broadway show or an evening walk; check curtain times with the show.

Distances

Facilities listed by the supplier

As listed by the booking supplier; a facility not listed here may still exist. Confirm anything important with the property.

• 24 Hour Front Desk
• Air conditioning
• Alarm clock
• Balcony
• Banquet
• Bars
• Bath
• Bathrobe
• Bathroom
• Cleaning
• Coffee
• Concierge
• Crib
• Desk
• Dry cleaning service
• DVD player
• Express check in
• First aid
• Fitness Center
• Free Wi-Fi
• Hairdryer
• Housekeeping
• Internet access
• Iron and board
• Kitchen
• Kitchenette
• Laundry Service
• Elevators
• Luggage storage
• Microwave
• Minibar
• Non smoking rooms
• Parking
• Pay per view
• Pets allowed
• Radio
• Refrigerator
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe