Benson Hotel

12/25/08

Horrible service for Christmas Dinner

by ambrtd1234 at Citysearch

We had family in town for Christmas and were so excited to bring them to the Benson for Christmas dinner. We heard the Jazz piano player was wonderful (which she was) and the holiday decorations were beautiful (which they were). Sadly the service was horrible and the food less than mediocre. We had made reservations in advance for dinner in the lounge. We sat down wondering if we were in the wrong place and inquired with our server. We explained we were there for Christmas dinner. For some reason she was immediately rude and did not want to share a wine/beer/drink menu. In addition she did not want to be bothered explaining the set 'Christmas Dinner' with us. So, while we were figuring out the menu for ourselves we asked for bread. She said she could not bring bread unless we ordered food first. (I could not believe this since we had already ordered and were served drinks, and we were obviously ordering dinner) We ordered soup, salad and entrees. Everything came at once. The crab salad was good as was the corn chowder. However, the prime rib (for $50) was not good. It was dry...like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for hours.. Huge waste of money! Still, the most disheartening part of the whole experience was not the food, but the waitress. She was beyond rude. She totally ignored our table. We could barely even get her to give us the time for our check. Too bad for her and The Benson, because it was Christmas and we were more than ready for spend a few more dollars on drinks and dessert. We finally got our check and had to request someone else process it as she continued to ignore us. Without a word we left a 10% tip and walked out the door. I have heard great things about The Benson, and I know it has a wonderful history in Portland. Unfortunately, I will not eat there again nor would I recommend any family or friends to eat there. I know it was only one experience...but come on, it was Christmas.

10/30/09

Overrated, Overpriced

by tommymc59 at Citysearch

I recently had out-of-town visitors - as my loft is too small to accommodate them, I reserved two rooms at the Benson Hotel for them to stay in. These are dear friends of mine and I wanted them close to me and I wanted them to be pampered.

Regretfully, I made the reservation based on the Benson's reputation and their impressive lobby. I really should have done more research.

My friends did not really complain, but, when I went to viist them, I was appauled by the size of the room - it was just large enough to fit the bed. We couldn't really visit there and went down to the lobby which had plenty of room.

Several times, we asked to have some service there and felt we were treated poorly because we were dressed somewhat casually.

While I really enjoyed the visit from my friends, I definitely will consider another hotel in the future.

• Pros: Nice lobby and location
• Cons: Small rooms, stuffy service, poor value

09/29/09

the benson is a dump

by pdxgregory at Citysearch

this hotel is a dump my recomendation stay at another hotel for your own sake

this hotel is a 2 star hotel maybe 3 star on a good day if if your lucky

looking for a 4 star hotel? then this is not your place

if looking for a 2 or 3 star hotel then maybe you will be ok with the place however the service is lame and the doe eyed desk people are of little to no help and the rooms have a noxious chemical smell so i dont recomend taking a room service meal i did and it made the food taste like insecticide or cleaning chemicals im not sure which

old crt tv poor picture old lumpy mishapen pillows faded bed cloths devoid of color dinge ripped curtains really poor room anyway i suggest you just keep looking for a good experience when visiting portland

good luck !

• Pros: nice lobby
• Cons: filthy hotel dirty rooms terrible service

06/08/09

Brunch Perfections

by Timbersfan at Citysearch

I've never been to a better brunch, including the Hilton in SF that was supposed to be the best. Large selection of seafood, outstanding Eggs Benedict, best waffle syrup I've ever tasted, endless champagne and orange juice, and their creamed potatoes are to die for. Pace yourself!!

• Pros: Huge Selection, Attentive Wait Staff, Elegant
• Cons: Not Hungry for a Week

11/28/08

White glove service all the way

by lancebu at Citysearch

We attended the Sunday brunch and loved it! It was 5 star quality, service and food. The cheese selection was to die for, the fruit was fresh and flavorful. The eggs benedict was one of he best I have ever eaten. My companion had an omelet made which they described as perfection. The entree selections were tasty and different like beef tips in wine sauce and a seafood pasta. The breads and desserts were all freshly baked and delectable and a wide variety. The drinks never went dry because the service was friendly and quick. Go the next Sunday you want a relaxing, wonderful and special experience.

11/11/08

Wedding Brunch Bomb

by sff00die at Citysearch

My friend held her wedding and subsequent brunch at the Benson. Brunch was horrific at best. 1 server for 24 people with a horrible back waiter. Server yells asking how many mimosas/bloody marys throughout the entire brunch. I told the Benson event coordinator that some water upon arriveal would be nice. Nothing happened. I told the front desk manager that our concerns about the horrible service were not being addressed. She sent the food and beverage manager. After 15 minutes and more yelling by our server the F&B manager arrived. He said "I just got here" after I explained all my concerns. Sorry for your lack of internal communication but that's not my problem. There should have been another server or at least a professional one. It was like Denny's servers in fancy clothes. I manage restaurants and was shocked at the utter lack of concern that management demonstrated. Food was okay. My over medium eggs were over easy. Those who got eggs benedict were surprised to find hard poached eggs smoothered in thin layer of hollandaise sauce. Food was warm not hot. There were no condiments on the table so after 3/4 of our meal was finished some hot sauce appeared. Hello Benson - maybe with the economy they way it is you should perhaps ask your staff to be a tiny bit professional. Your F&B manager did absolutely nothing to remedy the situation! Perhaps your staff shouldn't yell in a private room - maybe walk around the table and ask people what they would like (like a normal restaurant), if your servers suck-coach them! It's a reflcection of your poor management! Don't hold any special occasion there unless you want an auctioneer on your most special day!

• Pros: Rooms are nice
• Cons: Service, Food, Management, Service

06/16/08

Good Brunch!

by PortlandWineChick2 at Citysearch

I went here for brunch with my family and ti was delicious. The desserts are to die for. And the selection of food is endless. Fabulous Salmon, great sushi and all the regular breakfast selections. I wish they had an Egg's Benedict station to order - but that is because it is my absolute favorite dish. I can't say anything negative except it is a large hotel chain-type atmosphere and ,eave a bit to be desired for personality in service. A really classy bloody mary bar may be an interesting addition to this great brunch.

• Pros: Delicious Brunch - Creative Items

06/04/08

BEST hotel in town

by daisyladee at Citysearch

Love the rooms and service provided, just wish we could have stayed longer. I love the fact that you are greeted at the door, your car is parked for you and then retrieved when you are done. The suite we were in was very spacious....loved having a seperate room from the bedroom and a large two vanity bathroom. You can tell everyone takes pride in their hotel, their place of employment.

• Pros: luxurious beds, quiet rooms
• Cons: jacuzzi tub would have been nice, not many restaurants within walking distance

02/26/08

Truly bad experience

by austinguy26 at Citysearch

Beware when purchasing room on priceline. Upon arrival we were told that the hotel only had smoking rooms available for the evening. It turns out this hotel is one of the few that forces priceline buyers to stay in smoking rooms(they opened the rooms up to priceline after all non-smoking rooms were booked). The smoke smell was so strong that we had to sleep with our window open and listen to all of the loud bar goers outside. The beds are memory foam. If you are not accustomed to these beds they are extremely uncomfortable. I barely slept a few minutes. The rooms look like they are falling apart. The wallpaper was peeling, the carpet was stained, and the rooms were extremely outdated ( like a 70's version of a colonial style). I was excited to stay in a historic hotel, but after my experience I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

• Pros: location, lobby
• Cons: mattresses, smoke filled rooms, noise from outside, impersonal staff

03/14/07

Best Dog Friendly Hotel

by hrider at Citysearch

This a great hotel, friendly service and dogs welcome, they even have dog beds with the Hotel LOGO on them, is that cool or what. Treats were delivered as well with a dog dish. They also will bring a Gold Fish to your room, I guess to keep the dog happy.