The Benson a Coast Hotel

, Portland, United States
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The Benson a Coast Hotel

, Portland
4 star

Rooms: 287

309 Southwest Broadway - Portland - Oregon - 97205 - United States Hotel Website | | 503 228 2000
411 Traveller

Reviews - The Benson a Coast Hotel

Historical Traveller Reviews of The Benson a Coast Hotel

Benson Great !!!

from rogersparkchris
Before a recent trip to Portland I tried my luck with Priceline and got the Benson Hotel. After I made the booking I went online to read reviews of the hotel. There were several people who wrote of bad experiences using Priceline and the Benson, so I was a bit nervous at check-in. I have to say that my experience could not have been more positive. Check-in was quick and convenient and there were no problems checking in at 1000am. The room was large and spacious and I thought the bath amenities an improvement over Hiltons, Hyatts, and Marriotts I've stayed at in the past. Housekeeping offerred a nightly turndown service with chocolates and kept everything clean and well stocked during my four day stay. My room had no view, but I was there to explore the city, not stare out the window. I would recommend the Benson to anyone looking for a good deal in a great downtown Portland location.

s all relative...

from wjung
Read other reviews where guests using Priceline were treated "differently" (the check-in paperwork did have "Priceline" clearly printed twice) and found areas other than the exquisite lobby in need of repair or cleaning. This was not the case for my stay--the Benson's staff was friendly and pleasant. The clean 11th floor hallway had a faint scent of fresh paint so management is obviously maintaining the hotel. Yes, the deluxe room was slightly smaller than average, but I prefer to stay in a very well maintained, smaller 4-star room than a obviously well-used, worned-out, bigger 3- or 2-star room. Yes, the room lacked a view, but why would one travel to DOWNTOWN Portland for the view (if you want scenery drive to the Columbia Gorge). For my 3-night stay, I paid approximately the average cost for a 2-star. Saved at least $50/night over the lowest AAA prices. With the excellent value and the quality received for the price paid, what can one possibly complain about? If one had paid more or full price then yes, one might have complaints, but then it is one's own fault for paying more when there is a bargain to be had.

A nice stay at a terrific price...

from A TripAdvisor Member
I booked through Priceline at an excellent rate, and stayed 5 nights during Christmas. Although Priceline customers are automatically given the small Queen-bedded rooms, I asked and was upgraded to one of the larger King rooms in the older section (probably because that is a very slow time of year, and I was staying 5 nights). The bathrooms are small and offer little space for toiletries, however the rooms are nicely decorated, and have a comfortable chair with ottoman. In general, people need to realize that older hotels everywhere are quirky, and the range of sizes of rooms can vary greatly--book a modern chain hotel where all the rooms are the same if this is a problem. Also, people booking through Priceline need to realize that they are often getting absolute rock-bottom rates that wouldn't get them a room at a Motel 6.
I've been very happy with my Priceline experiences, and have gotten some tremendous deals.

The Benson - hmmmmm?

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Benson during the Thanksgiving weekend. We booked our room through Priceline.com and got a terrifice price. The lobby and restaurant are all that they say it is, but the room was small and no view at all. Bed and bathroom were ok. Although we were supposed to be in a no smoking room, smoke barreled through the heating system. We had to have the window open anytime we were in the room. The staff was less than helpful and didn't want to be bothered with our questions. (Except the restaurant staff was exceptional.) My husband became ill and we asked to stay a couple hours after check-out. Here is the exact quote, " I don't know what you folks are paying since you booked over the internet, but it will be a full nights charge for 3 extra hours." My feeling is that if a hotel accepts discount bookings from the internet or other companies, that I should be treated like any other guest. If they don't want "our kind" there, then don't participate in those programs. This is the first time I have been treated like a second class guest because of how I booked the room. I'd say an attitude check is required.

Lovely and comfortable

from shalisat
I got a super deal to this hotel off priceline, and paid less than half of what their special price was. The room was typical for a city(small), though it had a nice foyer area. The furniture was comfortable and everything was clean. All the amenities I expect from a 4 star hotel were there, such as, robes, an iron and board, fine bathroom amenities, ice service, and down pillows. We did NOT have a view, as our window looked out into the center of the hotel where the waste disposal was, and the hotel wouldn't have bothered moving us I'm sure, but it was late and I was tired, and I paid a mere 50 dollars, so why bother. The lobby was beautiful and entertaining as with the live music. It was a full house that night, with nowhere to sit, but standing was fine too. I also have to say in reply to another stating that the employees look down their nose at non-affluent looking guests, that I did not have that experience. Actually, I entered the hotel in a dress, with hiking shoes, and a backpack and didn't feel as if I was being starred at or treated differently I was actually treated with respect. I know of other hotels which offer larger and/or more plush rooms, but for the price, I'll take the Benson any day.

Adequate.

from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Benson this Thanksgiving weekend, and was pleasantly surprised with the room.

While the rooms were not as oppulant as the lobby, they were in a word "adequate". We booked our room on Priceline, and was not expecting the best room in the hotel. They placed us on the 7th floor in a corner room which was above the main entrance of the hotel - had a great view of Broadway St.

The room was small, and bathroom even smaller, but the room was clean so we had no complaints. We were surprised to learn that the hotel does not have parking facilities though. You can either valet your vehicle or find your own parking lot. We chose the latter and found a nice, well-lit parking lot just a half block away, and for $8 for the entire day.

All in all, we would stay at the Benson again, but it probably should be a 3 star (not 4 as reported).

Cheers!

American hypocrisy

from A TripAdvisor Member
I'm tired of being lied to. I purchased an "amazing deal" to a "presidential palace" via Orbitz to the Benson Hotel.A couple weeks later, back in Portland, I called around from a restaurant, settled on the Marriott, spend the EXACT same amount I had a the Benson, and had a MUCH better experience.B= Benson; M= Marriottroom: B- closet-sized, view of the laundry inner courtyard, dark, dirty, Q bed; M- spacious, lovely view of the river, clean, K-bed lobby: B- every seat reserved for some event or restaurant, m- many floors, many styles service: B- demeaning (i forgot my jewels and furs) M- friendly, helpful and real-life food: B- none; M- gorgeous full-on breakfast spread facilities: B- as far as I could tell, only for the Penthouse suite guests; M- everything for everybody room amenities: equal, except the B had better apples in the fruit basketWhat a scam. I'll think twice before I take another Internet 'deal'. Also, where did the Benson get their 4 stars from?

A Lovely Hotel from Another Era

from jlmsBellevue
My husband and I have stayed here several times over the past 3 years and always look forward to good service, and elegant tasteful surroundings. Because I am mobility restricted, we reserve a handicapped room and have always found them to be spacious and very attractive. The assistance of the valet parking attendants has always been thoughtful and helpful.

We will be returning this weekend and are looking forward to a very comfortable stay. The location is great for local arts events and shopping.

LOVE the lobby bar...

from SweetBugs
and El Gaucho, but it's not worth going past either of those into the hotel. The rooms are old (not wonderfully historically old, just decrepit) and dingy and the bathrooms were awful. The beds are hard, have no mattress pads, and the sheets barely fit---a far cry from the beds in comparable 'luxury' properties. The concierge was rude. The gym is a joke. We'll miss our afternoons and evening in the beautiful lobby, but we won't stay here again.

Consider it a three star hotel.

from A TripAdvisor Member
If you are looking for an exceptional four star hotel, you will probably not be satisfied at the Benson. The room we had was somewhat spacious, but there was coffee stains on the wall in the bathroom. The beds are comfortable and the location is great! The decor is a little outdated, the curtains have been there for a while (at least eight years - because that was our last visit to the Benson)! If you are planning a really special weekend, you may want to omit this hotel from your plans unless you have the money to stay in the penthouse suite.
They don't have a pool or spa which I always consider a bummer for any hotel. We were able to get our room at priceline, so I wasn't as disappointed. I would have been very disappointed if I had paid full price!

Top Local Tips for Portland

Valet Parking park around the coner at a public garage. It's $25 to valet plus tip

Herman the Sturgeon by Bonneville Dam You have to see this "fish" that's the size of a whale! Of course Willamett Falls, but make sure to take the Historic Scenic Highway, not just 84, because you'll hit Vista House with a view that will knock your socks off.

Venture outside downtown Portland has really interesting neighborhoods outside of downtown that are definitely worth a visit. There is a lot of urban renewal going on.

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