The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York

Midtown, New York

Star 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 (2127)
  • Very good (891)
  • Average (335)
  • Poor (134)
  • Terrible (102)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Disappointed and shocked by the lack of basic service

Aug 2, 2025 366rafad Sydney, Australia

I stayed here recently after almost 30 hours of international travel, expecting the kind of service and welcome you associate with a five-star hotel. Unfortunately, my experience at check-in was anything but that. Despite weeks of email communication and triple-checking the reservation, payment, and guest names — all clearly listing my full name… Read more
I stayed here recently after almost 30 hours of international travel, expecting the kind of service and welcome you associate with a five-star hotel. Unfortunately, my experience at check-in was anything but that. Despite weeks of email communication and triple-checking the reservation, payment, and guest names — all clearly listing my full name — I was denied check-in because the booking was under my partner’s name. No willingness to help, no flexibility, just a repeated use of the word “policy.” After such a long trip, I stood there while other guests were attended to, and when I asked to speak, I was told to wait because “they were being looked after.” I didn’t feel like a guest — I felt invisible. To make matters worse, when I questioned why the Concierge team I’d been liaising with hadn’t passed on any of the information, I was told by the manager at the counter that Reception and Concierge are “different departments” and “not really the same business.” I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. How is it that a hotel of this calibre operates with internal departments that don’t communicate? This was one of the most disappointing check-in experiences I’ve ever had. I’m still waiting for a proper explanation — but more than that, I think it’s important future guests are aware of how things are being managed behind the scenes. Read less
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Jul 19, 2025 m A Portland, Oregon

We would easily make this our choice for future stays in NYC. It is within walking distance of the East River, MoMA, and many more cultural/historical sights. Plus, there is a great little restaurant two doors down that is PERFECT for breakfast.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Anniversary Stay.

Jun 1, 2025 DaveSearle70 Plymouth, United Kingdom

We stayed at the Benjamin Royale Sonesta for 6 nights at the end of May to celebrate our Anniversary. The hotel itself is ideally situated for a short walk to Times Square, The Empire State Building and The Rockefeller Centre. The Hotel staff were very friendly and the room was spacious for a large city hotel and kept very clean (see photos) The… Read more
We stayed at the Benjamin Royale Sonesta for 6 nights at the end of May to celebrate our Anniversary. The hotel itself is ideally situated for a short walk to Times Square, The Empire State Building and The Rockefeller Centre. The Hotel staff were very friendly and the room was spacious for a large city hotel and kept very clean (see photos) The one thing I think it misses out on is a bar/restaurant but I knew this wasn’t an option before traveling. There are restaurants and bars close by including budget ones like McDonalds and Panda Express as well as more expensive options. A little more about the room. Bed was comfortable. Bathroom was well lit and a nice shower it had blinds on the windows which stopped you seeing what view you had but on looking out the windows were dirty so that stopped the view anyway. They also had black out blinds on the windows which to be honest were a pain one in particular was already broken when we arrived late evening I had to fiddle around to get it to work, i reported it the next day it was semi fixed but we struggled with it for the rest of our stay. There were 3 lifts that serve the floors in the hotel so you could experience a small wait time. We were on the 14th floor and they say New York is a city that never sleeps and you could hear that. Not sure why the windows allowed so much noise though but you could audibly here car horns (multiple) and emergency service sirens (multiple) I guess if you’re local it’s background noise and you soon get use to it. Finally would I stay here again….the answer is yes which should be good enough review in itself. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Stay at the Benjamin

May 25, 2025 Adriana F

Amazing Service and the room was fantastic. Room are spacious and bed are comfortable, also the pillow program is a great way to give you a great night sleep. If you are traveling with kids get the Owl program for them, they will love it. Great stay and highly recommend the hotel. Good location as well.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent stay

May 13, 2025 Frances E

Stayed here last week for 7 nights in a balcony suite, 2 friends, so we could make use of the sleeper-sofa and effectively have a bedroom each. The suite was spacious and very clean. The balcony was very small with only one chair so we didn't really use it. With air bnbs no longer allowed in New York, this is a good alternative in order to have a… Read more
Stayed here last week for 7 nights in a balcony suite, 2 friends, so we could make use of the sleeper-sofa and effectively have a bedroom each. The suite was spacious and very clean. The balcony was very small with only one chair so we didn't really use it. With air bnbs no longer allowed in New York, this is a good alternative in order to have a bit more space, especially having a small kitchenette, however there is no hob, just a microwave, coffee maker and fridge freezer. A toaster at least would be a great addition. There is only one mirror in the suite (apart from the bathroom) and doesn't have electric sockets next to it, fortunately I always take an extension lead...🤣 As other reviews have mentioned, the AC (particularly in living area) is very noisy and intermittently turned off during the night in the bedroom. Overall, this is an excellent hotel for a week's stay. The staff are amazing - couldn't be more helpful or polite and I would 100pc recommend this hotel for a midtown stay and wouldn't hesitate in rebooking for next trip to NY. Read less