Hi wondering which you would choose for an anniversary weekend. Were doing the usually touristy stuff, but no theater this time.
Thanks,
Susan

I don't know the Michelangelo, but the Benjamin is a very nice hotel with a great location ... far enough from Times Square that you escape most of the crowds but still very convenient. The Michelangelo is a tad more central (and closer to more subway lines). Benjamin suites do have kitchenettes, which is a nice feature.

It is really a tossup.

Since no theater, I'd go for the Benjamin.

They are both really nice hotels. The Benjamin is the crown jewel in the Affina family and the Michelangelo is just a crown jewel!

You really cannot go wrong.

I agree that the Benjamin is a lovely hotel and on the East Side -- convenient to lots of touristy things (Rockefeller Center, 5th Ave, Museum Mile) but out of the hubub of TS.

Awww, shucks!

~ benjamin

If you're getting a 1 bedroom suite at the Benjamin, I think that's nice to have extra room and feel as though you're living in NYC. But otherwise, I'm not sure I'd pick either of these for a romantic weekend with no theater. I'd prefer something in a more interesting location for restaurants. In either of these hotels, if you eat nearby you're either in expense account territory or tourist territory. I find it's more important to be in a hotel that's near evening activities than daytime activities. Unless you're intending on a splurge dinner at Le Bernardin or that ilk in midtown, I'd pick something maybe a bit further south. The Giraffe is known for great service and is near a lot of good restaurants including Gramercy Tavern and 11 Madison Park. How old are you approx?

Hi, we are in our 40's, and we did get a reservation for gramercy tavern on sat, and a reservation for DelFriscos for fri night. Also wondering about coffee shops for quick breakfast around the hotel, thank so much for all your helpful responses.
Susan

Gramercy Tavern is a good choice. Mike Anthony just took over as chef - should be fabulous!

We spent a week at the Benjamin this past April and really liked it. The suite was beautiful. Remember that if you're not dining in the neighborhood to give yourself plenty of time to get to your restaurant because the traffic is terrible in Manhattan at dinner time.

Susan, fyi, there's a new steakhouse getting rave reviews on menupages called AJ Maxwell's.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...neid=61&home=Y

The Strip House is another steak place that's considered somewhat romantic. It's downtown
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...neid=61&home=Y

If you stay at the Benjamin, there are a few breakfast places on Lexington Ave. between 52-54 st. There's also Ess-A-Bagel on 3rd ave. and Azure also on 3rd ave. has nice croissants.

I have never stayed at the Benjamin, but have several times at the Michelangelo and loved it. Beautiful rooms, bright, lovely bathrooms, nice piano in the lobby bar, accomodating, etc. We are meeting friends there again this winter.

We have also stayed at the Giraffe as McLaurie mentioned and were extremely happy there, although I have to say, and it might just be the room we had, was rather 'dark' - and the halls were also - that dim lighting that at 50 plus I could use a little more light. However, McLaurie is right about how accomodating they are and the staff is exceptional and the lobby breakfast/bar/etc is a delight.

Off the story, but here is how nice the Giraffe staff is (although I happen to be one of those people who think New Yorkers are fabulous anyway and don't get that others think they are snotty) -
my daughter lives in the city, walking home from work one night the sky opens up and it is pouring and she has no umbrella, and I mean pouring and the wind kicks up and she is getting drenched.

She jumps for cover under the front door of the Giraffe and the doorman opens the door and asks if he can help her - she says she was just hoping the rain would setttle down she has a few more blocks to her apartment and he says he thinks that is unlikely but he is happy to either get her a cab or lend her one of the doorman umbrellas and he is sure she would return it as soon as she was able.

A mother loves a story like this. She took the umbrella and returned it the next day with some goodies for the staff !

So I know have a certain love for the Giraffe too....

great story escargot, I think Ill stick with the benjamin. Now Im wondering if the DelFrisco is a good choice, after reading the reviews of the strip house and A.J.Maxwells. We live in Chicago and love Ruth Chris, Capital Grill...
susan

you'll have a wonderful anniversary time in nyc -
eating in nyc is always a dilemma,, so much to choose from !!

We have stayed at both the Michaelangelo and the Benjamin. I actually preferred the Michaelangelo although both were nice. The Benjamin's bathroom is so tiny and I smelled mildew. Also I liked the staff at the Michaelangelo and the continental breakfast in the morning. However both are nice. Eventhough the Michaelangelo is in the heart of everything it is quiet there. I liked being near the theatre district but felt centrally located to everything

I like Del Frisco a lot, actually. Pricey, but a good steakhouse with some tasty offerings. The bar is a real scene -- especially on Thurs nights.

The Michelangelo looks truly beautiful but far more pricey than the Benjamin. While I'll agree that the bathrooms are small, they're adequate and clean as a whistle. I never smelled mold in our suite, it was lovely and tastefully decorated. Check their website for specials.