User Reviews for The Benson Hotel A Coast Hotel

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Sep 1, 2008 by Jen from Fishers, IN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Close to attractions.
• The room was on a street that was noisy all night long from trucks in an alley.

“Great location and nice room, but ask for a room that's not on the alley where cops, garbage trucks, and various other vehicles seem to make deliveries all night long!”

Aug 31, 2008 by Cary from Sisters, OR
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[10]

• The location. The bed.
• Room service was very expensive. Our sink got plugged at could not be fixed.

“Good hotel, friendly staff.”

Aug 30, 2008 by Robert from Burien, WA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] •

• It had a nice building front.
• The room was tiny and crowded bathroom, the beds were not mattresses but foam.

“The room was small, the bathroom was tiny and crowded with no space. The view looked out between two buildings. The worst was the mattress, it was foam and hard as a rock. Old TV and poor cable selection. I've had much better stays at Holiday Inn and best westerns and paid less.”

Aug 21, 2008 by Mbecher from Houston, TX
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[3] • Location:[9]

• Convenience and Steakhouse.
• Service was not good.

“Not a good hotel if traveling with children seems the hotel markets to business and adult travelers. I think the poor service we received was based on me traveling with my daughter, neither the bellman or valet offered to assist with bags when we arrived we were out-front for several minutes, not until I started puling bags out of the trunk did they offer to help. Our statement was not correct and customer service poor.”

Aug 20, 2008 by Lynda from Vancouver, BC CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Great location and the staff was excellent gave great directions, very friendly, and valet service very quick.
• The rooms are a bit dark due to poor lighting in hallways and lamps.

“Stayed at the hotel Aug 17 to 20 and was very pleased with the experience. Location is perfect. easy access to highways, Pearl District, shopping, and Powell Books. Staff was the best thing. So friendly and helpful and that includes concierge, valet and front desk. Lobby is grand old hotel while rooms are spacious and modern great combination. No hesitation in recommending for a range of traveller types. No hesis.”

Aug 20, 2008 by Amy from Pasco, WA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[10] • Location:[8]

• Very friendly Staff.
• Room was dusty.

“My stay at the Benson was lovely. The bar was fantastic and the staff was more than helpful. The room service was great. I would definitely stat here again.”

Aug 20, 2008 by Jonni from Eugene, OR
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[9] • Location:[8]

• The old charm, in the dining area, also the dining was superb.
• The room was a huge disappointment, small, dark, and not up to date.

“We frequent Portland quite often, and stay in the downtown area. The Benson is a landmark, because of the many years, that it has been there, but we will never stay there again. It was hot in our room, small, and not very clean.”

Aug 19, 2008 by Linda from Woodinville, WA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Beautiful ambiance.
• Expensive parking for Portland.

“I loved it and thought it lived up to its wonderful reputation.”

Aug 17, 2008 by Betty from North Vancouver, BC CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[7]

• Fitness centre, morning coffee in lobby, concierge, accommodated room type request, room renovations.
• Daily parking fee too high, no free high-speed internet access, no pool, small bathroom, old hotel feel.

“Would rate hotel as 3.5 star.”

Aug 17, 2008 by Kursty from Brooklyn, NY
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• The hotel is well established, with high quality services.
• The room we stayed in was dingy, backing onto another tall building and with poorly-working blinds and inadequate lighting.

“The Benson is a traditional hotel; almost 100 years old. this brings with it a refined approach to service, one where the guest is treated with polite respect.”

Aug 15, 2008 by Laura from Vancouver, WA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[4] • Location:[9]

• Good location.
• No pool or spa, small bathroom, not prompts service from front desk.

“Clean and fine, but not exceptional in anyway. Recommended for more of a business traveler, not romantic, no interesting artistic touches. Very traditional.”

Aug 14, 2008 by Jeanette from Gold Hill, OR
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Centrally located, very clean, helpful staff.
• No DVD player. Poor lighting in bathroom for makeup application.

“I have stayed there on several occasions and have always found it enjoyable.”

Aug 12, 2008 by Thomas from San Francisco, CA
Overall Rating: 0
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Had nice corner room assigned to me with beautiful views.
• There was nothing exciting about the beds, and no in-room safe to lock valuables.

“Overall a good experience, although it always seems like I get the Benson in Portland as the 'go to' hotel for 4 stars in Portland. I was appreciative of the upgrade, but this hotel does not meet what I would typically consider 4-star. Maybe just getting a bit older and needs a refurbishment?”

Aug 7, 2008 by Mike from Novato, CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Friendly staff, wine tasting in the evening is fun.
• Failed to clean the room after 1st night stay. Expensive Parking.

“Friendly hotel located in Downtown Portland.”

Aug 7, 2008 by Patricia O. from San Francisco, CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Beautiful, impressive lobby. Convenient parking. Comfortable beds.
• Phone and clock in room were broken, needed replacing while we were there.

“Beautiful hotel in a prime location. Great value for the price.”

Aug 4, 2008 by Anthony from Seattle, WA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Great downtown location.
• No workout facility.

“This is an older historic hotel, so you have to take the good with bad. There was not workout facility and the rooms had the original windows ( a nice touch, but we were downtown so even with the windows closed traffic was easily heard even on the 12th floor). The Tempurpedic mattress was nice, but it seems like it would take a couple of nights more nights to get used to. The staff was friendly and the happy hour free wine is fun.”

Aug 4, 2008 by Russell from Vancouver, WA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[5] • Location:[8]

• Restaurant and cleanliness staff tried to corrected problem.
• This hotel is a bate and switch hotel.

“Upon arrival as I checked in the clerk informed me that my room was not ready and took my cell number to call if was ready. I traveled around town a couple hour and decided to return to the hotel and wait in the lobby. I told the clerk that I was now here and he would not need to call me. He looked in the in box and told me my room was ready. Why took my cell if not really going to call. The bigger problem was when I went to the room and it was like a closet, not satisfied because I was spending my 25th anniversary. She upgraded me to a new room that was better.”

Aug 3, 2008 by Sara from Sherman, TX
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[5] • Location:[10]

• Old and beautiful.
• The concierge (man) at the desk was rude and pompous.

“Beautiful, lovely old hotel which has been kept up well. Our room was large and very clean. We enjoyed the wine tasting at 5:00.The location is great and near MAX.”

Jul 30, 2008 by Steve from Pt Orchard, WA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Very helpful staff.
• Valet parking only. Limited access to car.

“I'd recommend the Benson Hotel for an upscale stay in downtown Portland.”

Jul 26, 2008 by Charlotte from Vancouver, BC CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Most of staff seemed very professional.
• One queen bed, 2 adults, 2 children.

“Old style charm, with staff to match, except for one clerk at check in. Only hiccup was one queen in room for 2 adults and 2 kids.”

Jul 25, 2008 by Holly from Winnetka, IL
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[7]

• Location, lobby.
• Poor attitude at check in, small room, one bed, terrible rollaway.

“I felt like I had the smallest room in the hotel. This has not happened to me in the past. The room had one full bed. My teenage son slept in a rollaway with his feet hanging off the end (obviously for a smaller child). The lobby was nice, ornate. My biggest peeve though was with the car valet. Parking is $28 per day. I called for my car and found it unlocked on the curb in front of the hotel. There was no attendant in sight and the car was left unlocked. I retrieved several bags of items from the car and took them to my room. Still no attendant. Anyone could have taken my things from the car. I finally tracked down the valet who said I have been doing this for 17 years and have never had a theft. The reason I park in a hotel lot and pay the premium price is for the security that brings. The neighborhood had an indigent element and I felt that my possessions should have been better secured. Overall, I preferred our stay at the Monaco last time.”

Jul 24, 2008 by Marie from Carson City, NV
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[5] • Location:[5]

• It was pretty and would be nice if I were young, single and wanted to get drunk every night.
• Grungy, windows that kids could fall out of, staff non-responsive.

“Do not stay here if you have little children or want to get a good night's sleep. The restaurants would have been nice if we did not have little children. If you turn left from the entrance, you run straight into a bunch of strip clubs and trashy people trying to beat each other up. No pool. They wanted $4.95 for every 15 minutes of computer time. Finally, I asked for a rollaway bed no less than four times, and the hotel staff did not provide one.”

Jul 24, 2008 by Jody from Spokane, WA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[7] • Location:[10]

• Excellent location and good reputation.
• There were a few housekeeping details that were overlooked.

“Overall the stay was pleasant. The staff was average. We were put in a small room with a dismal view of the air conditioning system. However, the overall location and lovely facility made up for this.”

Jul 21, 2008 by Gene from S St. Paul, MN
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Historic hotel with great lobby.
• Had to come back twice because room was not available.

“Rooms are small. Had called ahead to make sure I had a room with king size bed and upper floor. Was told that they would hold this type of room, but when I got there they had a room on the third floor with queen sized bed. Had to come back twice before room with king size bed was ready.”

Jul 18, 2008 by Marshal from Seattle, WA
Overall Rating: 0
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[6] • Location:[8]

• The bed. It was wonderful.
• The smell of the room.

“Wonderful bones, but it desperately needs a facelift.”

Jul 10, 2008 by Chas from Healdsburg, CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Incredibly plush and extravagant.
• Hotel security was a little over the top, and a bothersome.

“Excellent venue and accommodations. Very pleased with staff and room condition. Will go there again.”

Jul 10, 2008 by Connie from Redmond, WA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[7]

• The hotel has beautiful carved wood in the lobby and an elegant old northwest feel.
• I thought there was a ghost or presence of someone in my room the morning I was preparing to leave that was quite chilling.

“This hotel is well-appointed and the bed was very comfortable. I think it was a PosturePedic mattress. Parking was an extra $28 but I was allowed to keep my car parked on check-out day until 4 pm without extra charge.”

Jul 9, 2008 by Adrianne from Murrieta, CA
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[4] • Location:[4]

• They did their best to fix the problem. The hotel needs a total renovation for the rooms. The lobby is beautiful and very deceptive.
• Rooms were shabby and dirty, holes in bedding, smelled strongly of smoke, views of peeling paint in atrium - very dismal.

“As I mentioned, the rooms are in dire need of a makeover, they are outdated, dirty, and shabby. The bathrooms are old and even the robes they provide look old and worn. They tried to fix my dissatisfaction by upgrading our room to a jr suite - which also had holes and stains on bedding and upholstery. Very sub par for a supposed 4 star.”

Jul 9, 2008 by Claire from Eugene, OR
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Stunning hotel with a world class restaurant. Most delicious brunch I have ever enjoyed.
• The bed was only a queen size bed, which I find uncomfortably small for sharing with a partner.

“The stunning Benson hotel is a true and deserved favorite in the Portland area. In a convenient location, you're close to shops, restaurants and free public transportation, so drop off your car with the valet, and explore the city! The amazing piano bar and truly world class restaurants (The London Grill and El Gaucho) are a little on the pricey side, but will exceed anyone's expectations. The Sunday brunch at the London Grill is top quality and very diverse (from potato souffle to sushi to lamb chops and much more), and at $35 per person with unlimited Champagne is quite a deal!”

Jul 9, 2008 by Nancy from San Francisco, CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Classic.
• Dark.

“We had a great time and it is in walking distance of everything. Great help by the concierge.”

Jul 9, 2008 by Adam from Needham, MA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Gorgeous hotel and main room.
• Bathroom.

“Very nice hotel in a nice location. The room and lobby were beautiful, however, the bathroom needed updating and more lighting. A pool would have been nice too.”

Jul 2, 2008 by Suzette from Minneapolis, MN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• We were upgraded because the room was quite small.
• The room was very small.

“It was very nice.”

Jun 30, 2008 by Daniel M. from Boston, MA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Excellent location; very pleasant and helpful staff.
• A bit tired.

“NA.”

Jun 29, 2008 by Mary from Wilsonville, OR
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[8]

• Quiet, nice, friendly staff.
• Tempurpedic mattress hurt my back, AC fan made strange noise.

“This is a great hotel for the most part. The staff was very helpful and the room was nice. Minimal counter space in bathroom. The hotel was quiet and centrally located for shopping and restaurants.”

Jun 16, 2008 by Susie from Seattle, WA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[10]

• The location was ideal.
• The bathrooms are outdated and not what I would expect from a 4-star hotel.

“This is an extremely nice hotel but it is definitely past its prime. The lobby is stately. The rooms are very comfortable. The location is absolutely perfect. But the bathrooms are really out of date and there is nothing to make one say "wow." I definitely recommend the hotel for an ordinary trip but if you are really looking for something special, I don't think this is it, despite its reputation.”

Jun 16, 2008 by Jason from Owatonna, MN
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[9] • Location:[7]

• Very elegant with excellent service.
• Rooms were a bit outdated.

“Very classic hotel with lots of style. The rooms were very nice. The hotel was amazingly clean everywhere. Close location to everything in the Portland Area.”

May 30, 2008 by Karen from Dodgeville, WI
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Great location within Portland, or, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
• Dusty basket of expensive snacks.

“The Benson in Portland, or is conveniently located within walking distance of several great neighborhoods and attractions. The max is only two blocks away and offers inexpensive (free to some areas) transportation to outlying attractions like the Japanese Gardens and Rose Gardens. The hotel itself is very comfortable and quiet, so we could rest between tours and excellent dining opportunities.”

May 1, 2008 by Jeanne from Portland, OR
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[1] • Staff:[5] • Location:[10]

• Location.
• The room was tiny and filthy!

“I will never stay at the Benson again. The room was tiny and filthy! I have had cleaner rooms at Super 8! There was hair all over the bathroom and it looked like someone sprayed soda pop all over the walls. I was told I would have a double suit equipped with bathrobes. Boy was I let down. The room was tiny and of course there were no robes.”

Apr 30, 2008 by Brenda from Phoenix, AZ
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[4] • Location:[8]

• Beautiful lobby.
• Small room, poor service.

“The hotel has a lovely lobby.”

Apr 29, 2008 by Meredith from Washington, DC
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• The lobby and wine tasting.
• The room- I even upgraded.

“I was not pleased with the rooms. I felt like I was staying at a hotel with a much lower standard. The lobby and staff were great. I enjoyed getting drinks with friends in the lobby. I liked the overall location. I would consider staying there again, only if I got a different room.”

Apr 24, 2008 by Gary from Sandpoint, ID
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Location, old elegance, great lobby.
• Nothing.

“We brought friends with us to this hotel and it was just as nice as we remembered.”

Apr 22, 2008 by K from Sammamish, WA
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• Good location.
• The room was too small, no view.

“For location, it was excellent. However, the hotel experience was not 4 stars. At best a 3 star hotel.”

Apr 17, 2008 by Terry from Bend, OR
Overall Rating: 4
Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• The staff and help was great.
• My room was next to the prudential suite, had parties in the room both nights.

“The hotel was nice. My room placement was terrible. I was put next to a suite for a wedding. Friday night- bachelors party: They quieted down at 4:00 am and then Saturday night I called the desk at 3:30 am to ask them to stop. They had a party with music and etc. I was going to a seminar all weekend and got 4 hours of sleep in 2 nights. I would never go back for this reason. I think they should have known not to put anyone in an adjoining (if wanted) room to a suite who most likely will party.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Cassandra from Brooklyn, NY
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• It was very clean, and I loved the location.
• The room was small, they couldn't give me two beds, and the sheets had some ink stains.

“The sheets were not of good quality - kind of rough! Everything was very clean, which I appreciated. I asked for two beds ahead of time, and they refused to accommodate my request. The lobby is lovely, and the location perfect for my needs. But overall, I was quite content.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Nanette from Lynnwood, WA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[6] • Location:[7]

• It was very nice and clean.
• The staff was a bit reserved.

“It was very nice and clean and lots of nice things to look at. There was a broken hair dryer in our room but they quickly replaced it the next time we came back to our room. The Benson had plenty of food but not much for direction to what to do as far as getting served. I still would stay again because it was in a great location.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Kirsten from Los Angeles, CA
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[4] • Staff:[9] • Location:[8]

• Tempur-Pedic mattress, friendly staff.
• Very noisy, room not well cleaned.

“Cute, historic hotel in great location. Rooms small, but nice. Daily trash truck at 5 am was very loud. Guest room was a dusty in places. But, all staff was very friendly and helpful.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Sally from Red Wing, MN
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Beautiful lobby, well-kept, excellent bed, good service, quiet.
• Very limited space in bathroom for cosmetics, etc., sink drained poorly.

“Grand lobby, morning coffee & afternoon tea & cookies were nice, rooms were clean & quiet, no view, decor in room was fine, a little dull, dated maybe, very comfortable bed and nice linens, service was accommodating, no complaints really, was a good experience & would do it again.”

Apr 16, 2008 by Leigha from West Hollywood, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• The mattress.
• Bathroom appliances not great.

“The hotel was nice but the rooms needed a little upgrading. There wasn't a real curtain to cover the window and the sink and bathtub were in need of repair. The TempurPedic bed was fabulous!”

Apr 15, 2008 by Susan from Kennewick, WA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• Good location.

“Beautiful lobby, helpful concierge, good location for downtown activities. Rooms are small, but adequate. Bathrooms small.”

Apr 15, 2008 by Joyce from Tempe, AZ
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[4] • Location:[10]

• The lobby was lovely. Good location.
• The room and service was less than I expected.

“The Benson has a reputation of being one of the best hotels in Portland. I think it's resting on its laurels. The service was average, the room was shabby, certainly not a four star resort. I would think it would be 3 star or less. I was very disappointed with the hotel.”