Benson Hotel

Character and identity

The Benson is a 1913 downtown Portland landmark in the French Second Empire style, freshly through a 2023 renovation that left the architectural bones intact. The lobby sets the tone with marble floors, mahogany wainscoting, arched windows and a coffered ceiling under crystal chandeliers, while a 12-storey historic stairwell lined with photographs of old Portland rewards anyone willing to climb. Across 287 rooms, the look is restrained and contemporary against the heritage shell. Two restaurants anchor the food offer: El Gaucho, a steakhouse with a cigar lounge, and the all-day Palm Court. Service is concierge-led and round the clock.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What you are really paying for here is the building itself: a properly historic Portland address with the architecture intact and the rooms quietly updated around it. Book a corner room for the downtown views, or stick with a standard category if you don't need the square footage, the base product is well-judged. The penthouses are there if you want to stretch out.