Sonesta International Hotels Corp. announced on Wednesday an investment in four boutique and lifestyle hotels located in Midtown Manhattan: the 209-room Benjamin, the 325-room Shelburne Hotel & Suites, the 123-suite Gardens Suites Hotel and the 252-room Fifty Hotel & Suites.
They will operate respectively as The Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York, The Shelburne Sonesta New York, The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites New York and The Fifty Sonesta Select New York. There are plans for the Benjamin property to receive a multimillion-dollar renovation within 18 months and for the Shelburne to receive enhancements to its food and beverage operation, according to the company, and Fifty was recently renovated.
According to Sonesta president and CEO John Murray, “As we considered opportunities to grow the Sonesta brand and raise awareness, a strong presence in New York City has been a long-term objective.”
Murray formerly was president and CEO of Service Properties Trust, which has a 34 percent stake in Sonesta. He became Sonesta CEO last month.