Industry Veternan Joe Gaeta Appointed GM at The Benjamin

Denihan Hospitality Group Taps into Gaeta's Exceptional Leadership and New York City Experience to Run Luxury Hotel in Heart of Midtown Manhattan

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. February 12, 2013

February 112, 2013 - Denihan Hospitality Group, a full-service hotel management and development company that owns and/or operates boutique properties in major urban markets in the U.S., announced the appointment of Joe Gaeta as General Manager of The Benjamin, a luxury hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Gaeta, who brings a rich 20-year hospitality industry background to the table, was previously the Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Denihan's luxury independent hotels in Manhattan, which included the elegant Surrey on the Upper East Side, as well as The Benjamin.

In his new role Gaeta is responsible for overseeing all of the operations, finance sales and marketing efforts for the 209-room property that is widely known for its innovative Sleep Program, boasting the industry's first and only Sleep Concierge. Gaeta oversees the operations at The National Bar & Dining Rooms with the hotel's partner and celebrated Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

Appealing to the demands of its large base of frequent business travelers, The Benjamin recently unveiled Federico Hair & Spa, which is yet another component of the hotel that Gaeta also now oversees. In addition to the in-salon offerings, The Benjamin now also provides 24/7 in-room services via the popular Federico Salon Direct, developed by the designer in response to numerous client requests for off-hour services.

Gaeta will be spearheading The Benjamin's upcoming refresh, which is under the direction of celebrated interior architect Lauren Rottet. With a design pallet consisting of honey golds, whites, mohair, white leather and subtle yet sophisticated accents, the guestrooms will take on a fresh and vibrant feel. The updates will be inclusive of carpeting, furniture, draperies and artwork.

“When Joe joined our company last year it was obviously that he blended seamlessly into the Denihan culture,” said Thomas Mathes, Regional Vice President of Operations at Denihan. “The Benjamin, named after Benjamin Denihan Sr., who started this company 50 years ago, is a very special part of our portfolio. Upholding the strong customer-centric philosophies that were near and dear to our hotel's namesake is important and something that Joe has clearly demonstrated throughout his career. His passion and expertise in the New York City market, especially within our hotel, are a great fit for The Benjamin.”

Gaeta has worked in various sales and marketing roles at New York luxury hotels including The New York Palace and Loews Regency, among others.

“The Benjamin has long been a hotel that I have admired,” said Gaeta. “I am incredibly excited to be leading this team in its legacy of luxury and exemplary hospitality standards.”

A graduate of Adelphi University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance, Gaeta went on to complete a Strategic Hospitality Management course at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. Since then he has been the recipient of numerous sales, marketing and management accolades from The New York Palace Hotel and The Garden City Hotel.

About The Benjamin
The Benjamin, situated in the heart of midtown Manhattan at the corner of Lexington Avenue and 50th Street, helps leaders from around the globe make the most of every New York minute in an intimate, boutique-style setting. The four-star property features 209 terrace suites, suites & guestrooms, The National Bar & Dining Rooms by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Federico Hair & Spa, a world-renowned Sleep Program, the industry's first & only dedicated Sleep Concierge, Winks' Kidzzz Club and a private guest lounge. The property affords quick access to Fifth Avenue's high-end boutiques, Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Central Park. The Benjamin is operated by Denihan, a nationally recognized, independent owner and operator of boutique hotels with more than 100 years in the hospitality and service industries.