Address: 309 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97205
Phone: (503) 228-2000
Website: thebensonportland.com
Hours: Open year-round (hotel guests only beyond public areas)
A Historic and Haunted Portland Icon
In the heart of downtown Oregon, the Benson Hotel stands as one of the city’s most distinguished historic landmarks. Constructed in 1912 and officially opened in 1913, the 14-story French Second Empire style building was the vision of Simon Benson, a Norwegian immigrant, philanthropist, and lumber baron who dreamed of bringing refined European hospitality to the Pacific Northwest.
Architect Albert E. Doyle designed the hotel to rival the grand establishments of Chicago and New York. Its interior was adorned with imported Italian marble, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and Circassian walnut paneling that still glows under soft lobby lighting today. The hotel quickly became a social hub for Portland’s elite and hosted countless visiting dignitaries, presidents, and celebrities.
After a century of renovations and modernization, The Benson remains part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, balancing its old-world craftsmanship with modern luxury. Yet, beyond its elegance, whispers of supernatural activity have long intertwined with the hotel’s legacy.
The Spirit of Simon Benson
Many longtime guests and staff believe that Simon Benson himself never truly left the property. Reports of a well-dressed gentleman resembling Benson have surfaced for decades. Witnesses often describe seeing him near the grand staircase or appearing suddenly in mirrors.
One of the most frequently repeated tales involves Benson’s firm opposition to alcohol. Staff claim that glasses of wine or whiskey have mysteriously toppled off tables without explanation, a “ghostly protest,” perhaps, from the teetotaling founder. Some guests even say they’ve caught a glimpse of Benson pacing the lobby or inspecting the rooms, as if ensuring his beloved hotel still meets his standards of perfection.
The Lady in White and Other Ghostly Guests
The Benson Hotel is also home to several other spirits whose identities are less certain. The most famous among them is the Lady in White, a graceful apparition often seen gliding through the hallways of the upper floors. She’s described as wearing a long gown from the early 1900s, her face calm and expressionless. No records confirm who she might have been, though some speculate she was a guest who met an untimely end shortly after the hotel’s opening.
Other recurring encounters include:
- The Lady in Blue: Seen in the lobby mirrors and occasionally along the corridors of the ninth floor. Her reflection is said to linger a moment longer than expected.
- The Little Boy: Guests have reported a young boy on the ninth floor, playful and curious. Some describe feeling a tug at their sleeve or a small hand brushing theirs before realizing no one is there.
- The Helpful Bellman: One woman recounted that an older porter helped her back to her room when she wasn’t feeling well — only for staff to later tell her no such employee matched her description.
Many experiences center around the seventh, ninth, and twelfth floors. Hotel staff have acknowledged the rumors with good humor, noting that no guest has ever reported feeling threatened, the hauntings seem more residual than malicious.
Modern Investigations and Local Lore
Portland’s paranormal community has long considered the Benson one of the city’s most active haunted hotels. Numerous ghost tours include it as a key stop, and several investigations have reported unexplained temperature drops, disembodied footsteps, and faint laughter echoing through empty hallways late at night.
Television crews from independent ghost-hunting shows have visited the property, capturing EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) in the ballroom and faint orbs drifting along the staircase. Even skeptics admit that the Benson has an energy that feels different, an elegant eeriness that lingers long after you leave.
For many Portlanders, the Benson is a reminder that history has layers, and sometimes, those layers whisper back.
Visiting the Benson
If you visit, start in the grand lobby and admire the marble columns, chandeliers, and walnut walls, that’s where most sightings of Simon Benson occur. For those hoping for a more direct encounter, request a room on the ninth floor, but remember: the hotel welcomes guests seeking a comfortable stay, not ghost hunters. Always be respectful of staff and other patrons.
Always remember: never trespass on property that isn’t yours, and if you decide to explore the paranormal, do so safely and responsibly.
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