Ideally located in Midtown Manhattan, The Benjamin features newly redesigned accommodations by Lauren Rottet and thoughtful services and amenities, such as restful solutions by sleep expert Rebecca Robbins and the Winks’ Kidzzz Club for families. Room types range from guestrooms with kitchenettes to one-bedroom terrace suites with inspiring skyline views. Noted as “one of the 50 favorite restaurants” by The New York Times, The National by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian showcases modern bistro cuisine in a chic grand café and in-room dining. Known for coiffing the tresses of celebs, stylist Federico Calce presents Federico Hair & Spa at The Benjamin.

Situated in an ideal midtown Manhattan locale near Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Fifth Avenue, The Benjamin is one of the most luxurious boutique-style hotels designed by famed architect Emery Roth. The beaux-arts gem offers newly redesigned accommodations by Lauren Rottet. While boasting a modernly elegant look and feel, The Benjamin still embodies the charm and sophistication for which it has always been known.  

HISTORY: Built in 1927, the former Beverly Hotel was considered to be one of the most successful creations by famed architect Emery Roth.  The edifice so inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe that she painted it as the subject of her piece “New York—Night. Today, the hotel continues to inspire visionaries and business leaders with its thoughtful services & amenities.

REDESIGNED ROOMS & SUITES BY ROTTET:

In September, the hotel completed the final phase of its full-scale $10 million dollar renovation with a complete room refresh under the guidance of Lauren Rottet, the namesake and founder of Rottet Studio. The aesthetic of the 209 guest rooms and suites are chiefly reflective of Rottet’s philosophy to create environments that feel personalized, energetic and residentially glamorous.  

Under the discerning eye of Rottet, the revamped accommodations feature a palette of whites, silvers, mink and golds—meant to convey happiness and life.  There is an abundance of light, with colors brightened and lightened, in tandem with high contrast of dark woods surrounded by lighter lacquer, white leather and subtle yet sophisticated accents. Rottet believes a space can look much richer with high contrast touches.  

Design choices—like a mirror-meets-mural art piece over the bed, mirrored coffee tables in suites and streamline parson’s desks —skillfully accentuate the light and spaciousness of the rooms.  Each room includes a kitchenette that features a spiral-patterned wall covering designed exclusively for The Benjamin by Rottet Studio. A nod to the entrepreneurs on-the-go, much like Rottet herself, the rooms feature square-armed lounge chairs, allowing guests to work and watch TV simultaneously. Some of Rottet’s favorite design details were reserved for the pièce de résistance, the specialty suite, which will be unveiled in late-March 2014.

DINING BY IRON CHEF GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN:

Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian brings his style, passion and culinary expertise to The Benjamin with his award-winning Midtown East restaurant in NYC, The National Bar & Dining Rooms. His modern bistro menu delights as a result of his philosophy to use only fresh, perfectly sourced ingredients set into unexpected combinations that draw out their essential flavors. Zakarian is joined in the kitchen byExecutive Chef Paul Corsentino. The all-star team produces all-occasion offerings that surpass expectations.

The New York Times recently touted, “It is the sort of restaurant where it is nice to be. And the food, which hews close to Mr. Zakarian’s new-American aesthetic, is to match. It is simple but not really, a menu of standards put through the reinvention machine, followed by wise and often wonderful desserts.”

The 125-seat Midtown East Manhattan restaurant was designed by the Rockwell Group to serve as a New York grand cafe, where warm amber lighting and leather banquettes encourage its patrons to linger and delve into cafe culture.

When Zakarian is not helming the kitchen or competing of Iron Chef America, he continues his never-ending global quest for new ingredients, techniques and challenges to enhance the all-occasion dining experience at The National. The National is an all-occasion grand cafe that is not to be missed during any travels to New York City.