The Benson: One Of Portland, Oregon's Most Historic Hotels - Updated 2024

Which room type to choose (from USD 142)

Service is top notch at first encounter. The doormen and reception staff are both professional and friendly. Several staff members have been with the Benson for 30 or more years. Room choices are extensive and the tasteful décor varies from room-to-room. Select from 230 guestrooms, 48 junior suites, and seven Penthouse suites for your stay. Rooms and suites on the higher floors overlooking the United States National Bank building on Broadway provide excellent views of the city and a glimpse of the Cascade Mountains. Deluxe king or double rooms feature Temur-Pedic memory foam sleep system beds, a work area, comfortable seating area, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, and honor bar.

Spoil yourself with the extra space and luxury of a junior suite where pillow-top mattresses provide a softer bed than foam. A living area with sofa, two arm chairs, and a coffee table provide extra comfort and convenience for a small business meeting or in-room dining.

The most exclusive suites are the two grand suites on the 11th and 12th floors. With wide city views, a cozy fireplace, ample sized living room, dining room, master bedroom separated by glass French doors, and a hot tub, this room is fit for a king. One of the two grand suites is the Presidential Suite and has welcomed every president since Taft, but not Donald Trump yet.

All guests receive quality amenities like breathable and biodegradable plush bamboo robes and slippers, high-speed WiFi throughout the hotel, USA Today, NY Times and Wall Street Journal, Gold Key Concierge, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby, and top notch service.

Dining at the Benson

Onsite restaurants include The Palm Court Lounge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Palm Court Lounge is located on the lobby level and shares the same elegant design features. For a meaty dinner option, El Gaucho is a Northwest-focused steakhouse attached to The Benson. Enjoy Argentinian inspired fare, full bar, extensive wine list, and live Latin-themed music nightly. Both The Palm Court and El Gaucho have a nightly happy hour worth checking out.

The Benson is an excellent choice for a large meeting or event. With over 18,000 sq ft/z1,672 m sq, state-of-the-art audio and visual systems, and talented catering staff, this is a memorable place to hold an event. The Mayfair Ballroom holds up to 500 guests, and sixteen other event rooms hold from 12-300 guests.

A true foodie paradise

A visit to Portland is enhanced by being in a central location. This vibrant city is one of the culinary capitals of the U.S. and known for outstanding craft beers and wine. The Benson puts you in the middle of all this great food and drink. Nearby, find Bailey’s Taproom, where 26 beers on tap show emphasis on local beers. They don’t serve food but invite you to bring your own. In a town famous for food trucks and food carts finding good food to bring to Bailey’s Taproom is not hard to do.

For one of the best happy hours, try the Portland City Grill in the U.S. Bancorp Building’s 30th floor. The food and wines are good but the view is amazing. This is one of the best places to view Mount Hood in comfort. Try the Kung Pao Calamari for a spicy treat and pair with an Oregon Pinot Noir or crisp Pinot Gris. Pick a clear day to visit and you will love this restaurant high in the sky. For great Italian fare try Pazzo, a mere two-minute walk from The Benson. Pazzo is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their dinner menu is an Italian focused list using many Northwest items like, Alaskan halibut, local mushrooms, and Chinook salmon.

There is so much entertainment and shopping near The Benson you would need a week or more to explore it all. For a condensed version, visit the Portland Saturday Market just a ten-minute walk towards the Burnside Bridge on the river front. Open Saturdays and Sundays, March through Christmas Eve; find dozens of shopping and food booths. Portland is a thriving arts center and the Portland Saturday Market has several artists selling a variety of local artworks. Artisanal food booths abound also. Check out the Spice Mentor for hot and savory spice blends, or Wild Sweets Chocolate Factory for great chocolate treats.

After the market, a stroll along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a must. Portland has a dazzling choice of city parks, many with great art and sculptures. Staying at The Benson puts you close to the South City Blocks Park. This long park has fun sculptures and is close by. Grab a map from the concierge and go for a park discovery walk of your own if time allows.