The Benson Portland, Curio Collection By Hilton
A 1913 downtown Portland landmark hotel featuring remodeled rooms and views toward the Cascade Mountains.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
The Benson Portland is a 1913 landmark hotel set within walking distance of Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Pearl District. Guests enjoy modern room updates, comfortable king beds, and city views extending to the Cascade Mountains. However, bathrooms are cramped and basic with small sink areas, and older windows can let in noticeable drafts during late autumn and winter. 71192
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Higher-floor rooms provide sweeping views of downtown, Broadway, and distant glimpses of the Cascade Mountains. 21916
- The location offers an easy walk to Pioneer Courthouse Square, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, and nearby spots like Voodoo Doughnut. 7119
- Guests consistently praise the professional doormen and welcoming reception desk staff at check-in. 2
- On-site steakhouse El Gaucho draws strong marks for its classic cuts of beef, tableside Caesar salad, and bananas Foster. 81
The catch
Who it's for
- — Walking access to downtown landmarks
- — Hilton points travelers outside peak summer
- — Steakhouse dining at El Gaucho
Skip it if
- — Travelers who prioritize spacious bathrooms
- — Guests sensitive to drafty windows in cold weather
- — Visitors preferring the East side of town
Seen on camera
24 moments · 2 videos · The Benson Portland, Curio Collection By Hilton
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“I also love this little chandelier on top of the table.”
youtube.com1:48“And the TV is pretty big as well.”
youtube.com2:12“Looping around here, we have the tiny bathroom, small sink area, and all of the bathing amenities are from Lockwood.”
youtube.com5:51“And they're like, "Don't worry, we got you. We'll put you in a temporary room so you can take a nap, do some work, whate…”
youtube.com11:59“there's actually no mini bar in here which is surprising for a luxury hotel”
youtube.com3:54“The lobby has high ceilings and a lot of modern art. The team is also super friendly.”
youtube.com0:35“Over here there is a coffee table and a chair. The area right across from it. I feel like there's a lot of wasted space…”
youtube.com5:10“it comes with a little fridge and then you have this desk area which is nice”
youtube.com4:20“and this carpet is also I don't know it seemed kind of new I think they've probably remodeled”
youtube.com6:09“The suite is huge. So, there's a nice little dining room table or coffee table and the living room space.”
youtube.com1:04“Seats are pretty comfy as well.”
youtube.com1:52“For the view, on one side we have downtown Portland, and you can also see a really cool garden terrace down below.”
youtube.com1:53“The room itself is really modern and welldesigned.”
youtube.com10:14“we had pretty good ample luggage space here”
youtube.com2:19“as I said you know this room's nice it's spacious but in terms of four star or even five star luxury it doesn't really l…”
youtube.com5:53“we got some bananas going here they chopped them up really nicely for Sebastian”
youtube.com8:53“So large king bed. Bed's really nice. Yeah, Ritz Carlton has some of my favorite beds. So you just melt into it and fall…”
youtube.com2:24“Closets are really spacious and plenty of room to hang all of your clothes and even more closet space.”
youtube.com2:46“Here we have a view of downtown Portland and right in front is the US National Bank. Looks pretty cool.”
youtube.com5:00“Convention center is literally right across the street. Looks pretty nice.”
youtube.com10:10“The bed does kind of like sink in, so it's like not the best mattress, but it works.”
youtube.com10:22“The TV, however, is pretty big.”
youtube.com10:33“Cool view of the convention center and throughout the suite there is also a lot of photographs.”
youtube.com14:01“I would say this bathroom's fairly small for a especially if it's a suite you just have a pretty basic shower and toilet…”
youtube.com2:47Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
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This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 90/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
92- “While the bathroom is on the smaller side for a room of this size, the full tub was a welcomed surprise where I expected to see a shower as is typical of most renovated hotel rooms.” 4
- “I would say this bathroom's fairly small for a especially if it's a suite you just have a pretty basic shower and toilet vanity mirror” 152:47
Food
85Location
94- “The theater and different restaurants are within walking distance of the Benson, and even the walk to Voodoo donuts, after a late night sugar craving hit, only took 8 minutes. So location is definitely ideal.” 19
- “Location is the practical draw. The hotel sits on SW Broadway in the heart of downtown, about a five-minute walk to Pioneer Courthouse Square and Powell's Books, with the MAX light rail along the transit mall nearby and the Pearl District a short walk away. You can park once and walk to most of a trip.” 1
Room
87- “And they're like, "Don't worry, we got you. We'll put you in a temporary room so you can take a nap, do some work, whatever. And when the suite's ready, we'll give you a call. So, that's A+ service going above and beyond.” 911:59
- “Given I was checking in around midnight, all I really cared about at that time was a comfortable bed for a good night's sleep. What I found was a truly luxurious and spacious room with the bed comfort I was craving.” 3
Service
92Bed & Sleep
90- “So large king bed. Bed's really nice. Yeah, Ritz Carlton has some of my favorite beds. So you just melt into it and fall asleep.” 92:24
- “Given I was checking in around midnight, all I really cared about at that time was a comfortable bed for a good night's sleep. What I found was a truly luxurious and spacious room with the bed comfort I was craving.” 3
Value
85Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-08-26
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
On par with what $ usually buys
Scores 3 points above the modest median of 87, across 197 hotels in the same bracket. In Portland it sits level with the local median of 90.
- This hotel
- 90
- Bracket median
- 87
- Index median
- 90
Based on 197 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
- 1 mention
- 1 mention
No location within the hotel draws repeated complaints yet.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 90 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “A cosy vibe has been created with warm tones and decorating accents within the room. The design successfully combines old world charm with modern conveniences and good accessibility.” 3
- “It's the same for the property's understated rooms, all of which have been renovated and are simple but outfitted with all of the essentials. Our king room was the ideal size for two with a large bed, a small, comfortable couch, and a wide built-in with a fridge, a desk and a TV.” 4
- “And they're like, "Don't worry, we got you. We'll put you in a temporary room so you can take a nap, do some work, whatever. And when the suite's ready, we'll give you a call. So, that's A+ service going above and beyond.” On camera911:59
- “Room choices are extensive and the tasteful décor varies from room-to-room.” 2
- “That said, the standard room offerings are nearly as nice (they still have complimentary water bottles and luxe shower products) and are a great choice for travelers who don't need all the bells and whistles.” 8
- “there's actually no mini bar in here which is surprising for a luxury hotel” On camera153:54
- “Over here there is a coffee table and a chair. The area right across from it. I feel like there's a lot of wasted space here. Maybe it could have been a longer lounger or maybe even a sofa here.” On camera95:10
- “The room itself is really modern and welldesigned.” On camera910:14
- “For the view, on one side we have downtown Portland, and you can also see a really cool garden terrace down below.” On camera91:53
- “as I said you know this room's nice it's spacious but in terms of four star or even five star luxury it doesn't really live up to that” On camera155:53
- “Junior suite or larger suite. The suites run roughly 500 square feet and up, with the historic detail and the space the compact standards lack. Worth it on a longer stay or a special trip, and the top suites are the best rooms in the building.” 1
- “The room is definitely in a good condition, clean, and surprisingly quiet.” 19
- “Smallest lower-floor interior standards. These are the most compact rooms in a 1913 footprint and sit lowest with the least light. On a The Benson Portland stay the upper floors and suites are the upgrade worth chasing, so size up if a tight room will bother you.” 1
- “Watching the sun rise over Portland from the room was a real treat.” 3
- “The tradeoff is variable room sizes, which comes with a building of this age.” 1
- “it comes with a little fridge and then you have this desk area which is nice” On camera154:20
- “Closets are really spacious and plenty of room to hang all of your clothes and even more closet space.” On camera92:46
- “One really nice thing that you'll notice throughout the suite is the artwork. So, in the foyer there was a really cool painting and in the bathroom it's in here.” 9
- “Even on a Friday night with the lobby brimming with guests watching the live piano performance, the room felt cozy rather than crammed. It's the same for the property's understated rooms, all of which have been renovated and are simple but outfitted with all of the essentials.” 4
- “The suite is huge. So, there's a nice little dining room table or coffee table and the living room space.” On camera91:04
- “Given I was checking in around midnight, all I really cared about at that time was a comfortable bed for a good night's sleep. What I found was a truly luxurious and spacious room with the bed comfort I was craving.” 3
- “The decor was tastefully and graciously pleasing for children and adults.” 6
- “Cool view of the convention center and throughout the suite there is also a lot of photographs.” On camera914:01
- “The one bedroom suite was bright and modern and opened up to a variety of area with a dining table for four, and a living room with sofa bed.” 19
- “The layout is actually quite efficient as the main bedroom is on its own partition while a size able bathroom with bathtub is on a separate room, which works out great if theres more than two people sharing the room.” 19
- “The rooms feature modern, understated decor with a comfortable, clean appeal and luxurious touches like plush carpets and faux-fur throws.” 8
- “Cash rates at The Benson Portland are reasonable most of the year and peak in summer.” 1
- “Those are all very nice hotels but they are in potentially the worst part of town to be. Just get an airbnb on the East side for half the price.” 12
- “For points travelers, the value case is strong outside of summer. Award nights run in a reasonable range, winter cash rates are low, and you get a 1913 landmark with character that a limited-service Hilton cannot offer.” 1
- “Affordable luxury with great value for money” 2
- “The Palm Court is good for breakfast or a quick dinner (this restaurant is also the room service menu).” 8
- “I had the ricotta and wild rice crepes entree. They arrived on a cold plate, having clearly been put through the oven to be warmed up so that the crepes were crispy like a cannelloni shell on the edges and chewy/soggy in the middle. The wild rice stuffing was undercooked--hard bits of wild rice, miniscule ricotta cheese if any, and lots of pepper. There was no sauce at all.” 6
- “Dining at The Benson is never boring, with three separate on-site dining options as well as excellent room service for those looking for a quiet night in.” 16
- “Spoken fork is a full service bar, so you can order drinks there or they also have a lunch and a dinner menu. Prices are reasonable, but if you get some food items, you might have to pay like a little over $15.” 9
- “The Brussels sprouts were likewise cold, but had been over roasted at some point in too much oil, and the entire plate of food was doused in more black pepper.” 6
- “Superb dining options, great food” 2
- “Service and food were good, however I will not return, nor recommend this place to friends.” 6
- “Wait staff could have been better and the voices off the pre-fixed menu were yummy.” 6
- “But for this busy mother and traveller, breakfast in bed was the ultimate luxury. Both the omelette and the staff member who delivered breakfast each day were delightful.” 3
- “El Gaucho. The old-school steakhouse attached to the hotel, with tableside service, candlelight, and live music. It is a dinner destination in its own right for a special meal without leaving the property.” 1
- “Try the coffee. Coffee kind of tastes like water. So, we're going to have to find another solution later.” 9
- “The dessert tasted like it came from Walmart, could not eat more than first bite.” 6
- “There is no executive lounge. The food and beverage credit and the historic public spaces are the substitute, and the El Gaucho steakhouse gives the property a dinner draw most lounges cannot match.” 1
- “Food was a big disappointment. My mushroom truffle soup arrived with a full pat of butter floating on top of a skim of truffle oil in a soup cup.” 6
- “Let's try a breakfast taco. It's good. It's like pickled onions, scrambled eggs, and meat all on a corn tortilla. Not bad, actually. Pretty good flavors.” On camera915:31
- “Looping around here, we have the tiny bathroom, small sink area, and all of the bathing amenities are from Lockwood.” On camera95:51
- “While the bathroom is on the smaller side for a room of this size, the full tub was a welcomed surprise where I expected to see a shower as is typical of most renovated hotel rooms.” 4
- “Toiletries are out of reach for anyone showering in a seated position so BYO toiletries if you are planning on using the shower seat.” 3
- “I would say this bathroom's fairly small for a especially if it's a suite you just have a pretty basic shower and toilet vanity mirror” On camera152:47
- “Denise was especially attentive, informative and pleasant.” 6
- “But for this busy mother and traveller, breakfast in bed was the ultimate luxury. Both the omelette and the staff member who delivered breakfast each day were delightful.” 3
- “The brunch was plentiful and deliciously varied and the staff was attentive and engaging.” 6
- “Wait staff veered from overly friendly and poorly trained, to barely acknowledging the diners and poorly trained.” 6
- “Automatic 18% gratuity was a surprise for a 3-person party on a buffet (Mother's Day) especially when plate were left at the table long after returning to the buffet.” 6
- “The service at Palm Court was friendly and efficient, although food was just okay.” 19
- “The meal was fine and staff were very nice.” 6
- “Guests especially love this hotel's accommodating staff and Pearl District location in Portland.” 13
- “Everyone was delighted with the food, the mimosas, the super-friendly service, and of course, the adorable Easter Bunny.” 6
- “The Benson is a landmark hotel in Portland offering four-star accommodations, a service-oriented guest experience, luxury rooms with stunning city views, and a must-see historic lobby.” 8
- “The Benson is on of the Grand Old Hotels I treasure: courteous, helpful, quite, dignified... A wonderful relief from the rush and noise and chrome of too many new hotels.” 22
- “El Gaucho is a steakhouse with a cigar lounge and five-star service-beyond the perfect cuts of beef, the tableside Caesar salad and bananas Foster are worth ordering for the table.” 8
- “The lobby has high ceilings and a lot of modern art. The team is also super friendly.” On camera90:35
- “and this carpet is also I don't know it seemed kind of new I think they've probably remodeled” On camera156:09
- “Award-winning meeting facilities, an unflappable catering staff and impeccable attention to detail.” 16
- “The food, table service and ambiance were superb. Denise was especially attentive, informative and pleasant.” 6
- “Service and food were good, however I will not return, nor recommend this place to friends.” 6
- “On the other hand, for $35, my partner had two big slabs of some kind of pork roast, with a big slice of some bread-y dressing loaf, gravy, and a mound of over-cooked kale. He also got a small handful of the kind of mixed greens lettuce that comes in a bag, and an anemic chocolate mousse with store bought sugar cookies.” 6
- “The shelves are kind of scratched up and old, but this was built in the 1900s, so I guess it's expected, but maybe could use a paint job.” 9
- “Wait staff could have been better and the voices off the pre-fixed menu were yummy.” 6
- “The Benson has a 24/7 concierge willing to go above and beyond by recommending dinner spots, booking reservations, securing event tickets, and arranging transportation.” 8
- “Service is top notch at first encounter. The doormen and reception staff are both professional and friendly.” 2
- “at of butter didn't melt. That made it easy to fish out of the soup, but the wait staff left it on my bread plate for the entire dinner. So unappetizing.” 6
- “The immediate area around the hotel is central and walkable, but use normal big-city awareness at night, the same as you would in any downtown core.” 1
- “Guests especially love this hotel's accommodating staff and Pearl District location in Portland.” 13
- “The theater and different restaurants are within walking distance of the Benson, and even the walk to Voodoo donuts, after a late night sugar craving hit, only took 8 minutes. So location is definitely ideal.” 19
- “Personally I'd likely stay at Hotel Deluxe, as I like the location and ambience.” 12
- “Beautiful historic property in downtown, but homeless presence nearby” 2
- “The Benson has a nicer interior than the Sentinel, but the Sentinel has a better location.” 12
- “DeLuxe is a slightly better location.” 12
- “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.” 2
- “The hotel is within walking distance of popular local landmarks, such as Pioneer Courthouse Square and Tom McCall Waterfront Park, making it convenient for exploration.” 7
- “Additional hotel features include a nice fitness center and a 24-hour business center. This historic property has a convenient central location for exploring the Pearl District and Pioneer Square.” 17
- “Waking up fresh in the morning I could fully appreciate the features of the historic Benson Hotel and I certainly appreciated the downtown Portland location, meaning many of the local attractions were within easy walk or wheel.” 3
- “Some even have the original ceilings. This historic property has a convenient central location for exploring the Pearl District and Pioneer Square.” 13
- “Location is the practical draw. The hotel sits on SW Broadway in the heart of downtown, about a five-minute walk to Pioneer Courthouse Square and Powell's Books, with the MAX light rail along the transit mall nearby and the Pearl District a short walk away. You can park once and walk to most of a trip.” 1
- “So large king bed. Bed's really nice. Yeah, Ritz Carlton has some of my favorite beds. So you just melt into it and fall asleep.” On camera92:24
- “Given I was checking in around midnight, all I really cared about at that time was a comfortable bed for a good night's sleep. What I found was a truly luxurious and spacious room with the bed comfort I was craving.” 3
- “The bed does kind of like sink in, so it's like not the best mattress, but it works.” On camera910:22
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- 25 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about The Benson Portland, Curio Collection By Hilton
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 57/100We read 25 sources for this property, and pulled 125 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-08-28.
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
6 of 6 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 25 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1The Benson Portland: The Best Historic Curio in 2026?besthiltonhotels.comReview siteDate not stated11 quotes used
“Cash rates at The Benson Portland are reasonable most of the year and peak in summer.”
Read originalbesthiltonhotels.com - 2The Benson: One Of Portland, Oregon's Most Historic Hotelstrip101.comReview siteDate not stated8 quotes used
“Room choices are extensive and the tasteful décor varies from room-to-room.”
Read originaltrip101.com - 3The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, Oregonhavewheelchairwilltravel.netReview siteDate not stated9 quotes used
“A cosy vibe has been created with warm tones and decorating accents within the room. The design successfully combines old world charm with modern conveniences and good accessibility.”
Read originalhavewheelchairwilltravel.net - 4The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hiltontimeout.comReview siteDate not stated3 quotes used
“It's the same for the property's understated rooms, all of which have been renovated and are simple but outfitted with all of the essentials. Our king room was the ideal size for two with a large bed, a small, comfortabl…”
Read originaltimeout.com - 5The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton Hotelhotelsone.comReview siteDate not statedRead originalhotelsone.com
- 6The Benson Hotel - Portlandopentable.comReview siteDate not stated23 quotes used
“Denise was especially attentive, informative and pleasant.”
Read originalopentable.com
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