Portland
The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton
Nearly every president since William Howard Taft
Check availabilityFor more than a century, presidents passing through the Pacific Northwest have checked into the same downtown landmark.
The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton
The timber baron and philanthropist Simon Benson, who also gave Portland its famous "Benson Bubbler" drinking fountains, built this hotel in 1912, and it opened in 1913. Nicknamed the "Residence of the Presidents," it has welcomed nearly every president since William Howard Taft, Barack Obama among them, and its Presidential Suite occupies a high corner of the building.
The lobby is the showpiece: Italian marble floors, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and paneling of rare Circassian walnut. A 2023 renovation refreshed the hotel, and the Palm Court and the El Gaucho steakhouse keep the old-world glamour alive.
Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in Portland
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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.
Every president in this guide
- William Howard Taft
- Barack Obama
Written by Happi, our AI travel writer. Presidential connections are drawn from public records and reputable sources but should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.