Has anyone actually stayed at The Benjamin in New York. Read trip advisory site some mixed reviews. Need good or bad comments. Can get one bedroom suite $315 a night.
Any other hotel ideas, St Regis is booked.....

My friend stayed there and liked it very much. She is a native NYer so and returns often, so she's no neophyte. Some of her other faves are the Soho and Tribeca Grands. I don't know if that gives you some sense of her tastes.

Unfortunately, I've not stayed there to pass on my own opinion.

Vittoria,

I stayed at the Benjamin for one night last September. The room was a little disappointing only because it was very conservative. If you're going there on business, I think you may appreciate it more.

The room had a large desk, chair on casters, kitchenette with coffee maker, small fridge ( go to the delis on 3rd Ave. for water and snacks - much cheaper!), microwave, nice marble bathroom with great water pressure, bathrobes, toiletries. It was a good size, but not huge. Large armoire with tv. One exciting aspect was getting to choose your pillow from the "pillow menu".

We ordered room service from Terrance Brennan's Chophouse downstairs. It was VERY expensive (about $100 before the addition of the 20% gratuity and tax for 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 1 dessert). The entrees arrived without the side dishes, then by the time the sides arrived, the meat portion was cold. After some "discussion" we were given free dessert, then upon check out, they took about $40 off the bill.

Have you checked quikbook.com for deals?? What about the Peninsula, the Pierre?

I have stayed at the Benjamin many times and I like the comfort of the suites; they remind me more of a small condo rather than a large hotel, desk, wingback chairs, kitchenette, etc...

This is a family trip with our 16yr old daughter and our first time to New York. I getting mixed reviews on The Benjamin. This will be our last family trip and want to pick the best area to stay in.
Any other ideas on hotels??

All the replies above are correct. I personally love the Benjamin. Our all time favorite was a suite on one of the top floors at the Waldorf Towers (Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were 2 rooms down) and Regent Wall Street.
We are usually in for the night by 7pm and we find the rooms and clientele in these properties to be more elegant and professional.
I like the Regent and the Ritz in the financial district because it is quiet and peaceful at night. If you prefer a more central location, the Peninsula and FS Pierre are wonderful, too.
I travel on business with my daughter tagging along. My (now) 18 yr old loves every hotel we have stayed in... they are all luxurious and location did not matter much to us because we never stay in one area all day.
There are so many fine hotels in NYC you can make yourself crazy trying to choose.