What a lovely century-old masterpiece!! And the surroundings, right by the Eel River, are perfect. Conveniently right off the 101 freeway. Had to knock off a star because our room was so cold the first night: 64 degrees. Another couple complained about the low temp while we were at the front desk. The second night we were plenty warm enough, and they did give us another blanket on request. We did not try the restaurant, but definitely will on our next trip. I was in the bar briefly (we didn't have a corkscrew) and the staff ladies there were most accommodating. The hotel is 100 years old this year, and running some promotions to celebrate. Complimentary sherry in the room lasted both nights. Room deco was very nice. This hotel has personality, in the rooms, the hallways, and all areas inside and out. Fascinating antiques throughout. Would make a lovely place for a wedding and reception!! read more

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We stayed there on July 1 with our family. The hotel is very old and poorly maintained. The carpets are dirty, and everything is dusty. The "historic" shouldn't mean it is dirty. The room has no convenient elements, like glasses for wine or a table to sit and have a coffee, but it has a lot of fluff, which just collects dust. The AC is tremendously old; it wasn't be able to actually cool down the room, but at the same time it was VERY noisy. We got a room with a river view - it is not worth it. Yes, you can see the forest somewhere there. The restaurant in the hotel is very bad - it is very pricy, but the service is bad, and the food wasn't good. We waited a long time to be seated, even though they had tables. We waited a lot for our menu, because they don't have enough copies. They were cooking our food for a whole hour and served food with a huge delay between dishes. The steak we ordered as medium was overcooked on the sides and too raw in the middle. read more

Beautiful historic inn. Terrace rooms were lovely. Nice terrace and balcony to enjoy the views and enjoy a drink or meal.

We were there just for one night but one night was more than enough. The price of the stay did not justified the subpar experience. Benbow Inn is the nicest hotel in the area up in the north coast số we booked a last minute impromptu getaway. With tax a fee for Saturday night for a double queen room was $600+. The check in staff was nice. We also had dinner on property, classic cooking, beautiful ambiance to sit outside. Food was bland lack of flavors and luster. We order the trout and the pork tenderloin. For dessert the cream brûlée and that was the hit. S600 room showers has no curtain so the water splashed everywhere. There was only coffee in the room with no tea options. The temperature can't regulate so it's either hot or cold and so much noise from the AC unit. The room also has a musty smell. It's clean just stuffy. In the morning we stop by the restaurant for breakfast. After seated me at the table that I asked for by the window, our host seems to be bother by it. He walked me over and never did come back with a menu. 2 family arrived after us got seated , order their food and their drinks arrived we still had yet to get service. We decided to bring our business elsewhere. My husband complained to the host he then said I don't remember seated you, so you still want to eat? Such terrible service, after a long night of lack of sleep due to the comfort level, the money we spent it was one of the worst experience we had. I also let the front desk know at check out she was gracious to wanted to give me some Dining credit but that was not the point of the complaint, I did not accept the resolution. We would not be back, the property itself was beautiful but not enough for us to return nor recommend it to anyone, even if they have Port as a gesture inside the room. read more

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Nice experience in the King Terrace. It was lovely weather to experience the terrace, river and stone bridge views, and nearby hiking opportunities. The room was one of their bigger rooms. The only thing missing was information at check in about scones and tea from 3-4 pm. which would have been nice to know. Their side flower garden was super cute, and the oaks in the back are majestic. Make sure to look for a room with a fridge and tv if that's important to you- this room has it! but the historic ones don't always have those. Menus in the rooms of some of their basic fare would have been nice to peruse at one's leisure. read more

While on the last leg of a road trip we stayed a night at the Benbow Inn and we are so glad we did. I've not heard of it before but my wife had and brought me up to speed with some great historical facts. It's like going back in time! Our room was silent and cute with period furnishings. The outside patio where live music was being performed was gorgeous ( food was well done too). We had perfect weather so went exploring a bit nearby which was fun too!! Be sure to check out the Julia Morgan house right over the bridge. Two of my favorite aspects of the Inn was the shared living space/ lounge where you could sit and read, work on a puzzle or just hang. read more

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Such a charming Inn and stay. Benbow Historic Inn and Golf Course and KOA RV resort is located near Garberville in the heart of Redwood Country. The Avenue of the Giants is just a few ew minutes away-perfect for day trips. The historic inn itself is stunning, with its charming rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens. Out wedding group stayed in both the Inn and the cabins. Both accommodations were comfortable and offered all the amenities we needed. The setting was beautiful and the breathtaking views of the Eel River offered a serene backdrop to our stay. The food and drinks at the on-site restaurant were top-notch, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met. Just a lovely stay. read more

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I'll admit, I made myself a little nervous before our trip after reading some of the negative reviews here. But honestly, any complaints about this hotel seem overly critical and a bit unrealistic for the area -- or for a historic inn in general. The Benbow Historic Inn is an absolutely gorgeous property. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped straight into an old movie -- except everything was pristinely clean and updated with every modern convenience you could need. Check-in was seamless, and every staff member we interacted with was friendly and kind. Our room had all the standard hotel amenities: a Keurig, air conditioning, fresh white hotel linens, a stocked bathroom, and plenty of clean towels. But what really set it apart was the charm and character: unique trinkets, vintage books, and newspaper clippings from the inn's early years. It struck the perfect balance of historic charm and modern luxury. The restaurant staff was fantastic. After a long day of traveling with our two-year-old, we were a little worried about keeping him entertained during dinner. The outdoor patio was perfect -- there was live music, another toddler dancing and running around, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that made us feel completely at ease. The food and drinks were delicious, too! At no point did anything feel overpriced or subpar. You're in one of the most beautiful parts of California, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. If you're focusing on cobwebs or phantom smells (which we never experienced -- our room smelled great!), maybe take a deep breath, step outside, and appreciate where you are. The only mildly negative moment we experienced was actually kind of funny after stress reading some of these reviews: while walking to the elevator, another couple asked if we had soap in our room. We said yes, and they grumbled that they only had some in the shower. My husband and I just laughed -- you're two steps away from the shower or a phone call to the front desk! Vacations are for relaxing, not nitpicking. And those must be the type of people leaving reviews with less than 4 or 5 stars. We can't wait to come back and stay even longer next time. If you're considering the Benbow Historic Inn, don't let any harsh reviews scare you off -- it's truly a special place. read more

I'm so excited about this Hotel! I wasn't sure what to expect, not ever being in this part of California. We arrived about an hour to early for check in, the clerk told us we could look around the property and said we will be serving tea and scones in the lobby. Now she's speaking my language! We walked into the lobby and immediately were transported to the 30's! The furnishings the architecture the music playing softly in the background. A very lovely tea service. My husband wanted to go to the Avenue of the giants, but after feeling this instant calm at this resort, we decided to stay and enjoy every minute. We had a delicious dinner and breakfast there as well. After enjoying an after dinner drink on the outdoor terrace I enjoyed the soaker tub with the bath salts sold in there gift shop. Every room has complimentary cream sherry. I'm so glad that this hotel has been kept the gem it is. Oh and the staff at this resort is absolutely amazing! They treat you like everyone is special. Don't come to this resort with the mindset that everything is fast paced, allow yourself to take a deep breath and relax and enjoy. read more

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Loved the stay, however the stay would have been improved by a proper explanation of what the amenities and details about dinner were provided during the stay. Our receptionist "Becky" made us feel like an inconvenience and offered zero information about the stay additives or the grounds (how we get ice, what time dinner was, or checkout procedures). She seemed more interested in what time she was getting off that night (02/14/26). Other than that, it's a very comfortable stay! read more

Loved this place. Stayed the night after 7 days of camping in the Trinity Alps. After a long drive which included a 2 hour traffic delay along highway 36, finally arrived after 6 and was given a beautiful 3rd floor corner room. After our long drive, staying at an Inn with such a fantastic bar exactly what was needed. Cocktail and dinner were excellent. Followed by a leisurely walk around the property enjoying a bottle of wine was a fun end to a very long day. read more

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This was our first stop on a 4-day road trip in northern CA and coastal OR. I had heard about this from friends who had stayed here decades ago. It's an historic building but showing its age in the historic room we were in. Everything was reasonably clean, except the shower curtain and reception took our message to housekeeping about that. Dinner and breakfast were good, not special. The inn was decorated for winter holidays and that was charming. There is a large lounge with comfortable seating, lighting for reading, the day's newspaper (this was welcome!), board games and puzzles. All staff was polite and helpful. Glad I finally got the chance to stay here, but YMMV. read more

I was running a marathon early on the morning of May 4, and booked a "Historical King" room at the Benbow Inn for the night of May 3. I made the reservation directly on the Benbow Inn website months in advance. I received written confirmation that my reservation was made. I printed it out. It says "Success! Your reservation is booked." and contains a confirmation number, and itinerary number, all of the details of my stay, and lists the price and credit card I used to secure the room. So imagine my surprise when, after driving 4 hours to remote Humboldt county, the guy at the front desk told me the hotel was sold out and they had no record of my reservation with a shrug. He didn't care that we had a written record of the reservation that the Benbow Inn had sent me. He said they were using a "new system" and my reservation must not have "transferred over" even though every other single reservation had. Hmmm, somehow the new system had sent me a reminder about the reservation 2 days before arrival. None of this mattered, there was no manager present, and I was turned away despite having a valid reservation. It was also the night before a popular race in the middle of nowhere. Total nightmare. The guy at the front desk never apologized, never offered any kind of accommodation or compensation, never offered to let us use any of the facilities, to comp us a meal or even a drink, nothing whatsoever. The absolute worst customer service. If you book this dump, be prepared for your confirmed reservation to not exist when you arrive after a long day of travel. They will turn you away and couldn't care less if you have a place to sleep. read more

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We stayed a night here on the way south on 101. We love this place. Pros Huge room with biggest bathroom I've ever seen in a hotel. It had a clawfoot, double-ended tub! Very nice bar with good cocktails Good food and an excellent patio dining area. Excellent classical guitarist playing through dinner. EV fast chargers on site Helpful staff Quiet enough even though right on Hwy 101 Great elevator - an elevator is frequently unusual in a historic property Cons Some might say a bit costly, but we felt it was worth the money given the quality. If in the area again, I will absolutely stop here. A destination hotel, worth the trip to visit. read more

While we loved the hotel- really loved the charm and the energy, we were very disappointed by our Valentine's Night dinner. Service was VERY slow indeed (Probably a staffing issue). Our waitress was lovely and did her best. However, my $75 meal was really disappointing. I know I am used to Bay Area food so I am rather spoilt. The clam chowder needed way more clams in it. I think they ran out so tried to compensate by adding more potatoes - but the potatoes needed at least 5 more minutes and more seasoning. My main course, salmon, was dry and not very flavorful.. (but then I do eat a lot of fish so I am probably a bit picky about this.) I ordered chocolate mousse for dessert and they obviously ran out of this and presented me with a coffee mousse instead... thinking I wouldn't notice???? The waitress very thoughtfully brought me another Prosecco to "take to my room" as an apology. I gave it to the lady at the next table as I really didn't need any more to drink by that point. I will certainly stay at this hotel again... but we will eat elsewhere in the future. Maybe we will bring a picnic and eat in the lovely grounds. read more

Stayed here in July of 2014, late review. Absolutely beautiful property. The inn has been restored but still has most of the character from the original property. Rooms are quite nice and complimentary port was provided. Dinner was nice and the restaurant had a nice feel. Looking forward to the next time we can stay, will definitely do so again! read more

Stayed here with my wife for her birthday. It's 'out of the way', but you can see the in from the road. It's awesome architecture - in the middle of the field - it's very European. The rooms are comfortable and historical feeling.. the wife was over the moon (the wine they left for us helped)... a wonderful experience all around. Only thing to watch for: I'm a tall, portly dude, and sharing a queen bed with my wife was tough. read more

I tried buying my parents a gift certificate for Christmas and they charged me twice. I tried calling and speaking to a manager and all she said was sorry to hear that, I hope it drops off the account in a couple days. I told her it was two days before Christmas and that was money that I really needed to make Christmas happen for my children. It has been over a couple days and I have emailed a couple times with no response. read more

The location is terrific surrounded by lovely views and landscaping. The interior of the hotel is pretty dated. The bed & pillows aren't very comfortable & seem older. There was a loud wedding right above our room that we weren't warned about when we checked in. We paid for an upgraded room with a balcony but would have preferred a room where we could sleep in quiet. The coffee in the morning is done quite early (8am). read more

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Historic & cozy rooms, great bartenders and fabulous dining experience. All of the staff that I interacted with were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful! read more

Overpriced unseasoned food. Made a reservation to have a nicer view. Expected better. Major let down.

I debated whether to give this place one or two stars. We stayed here because we were passing through along the coast. On the positive side, the staff was nice, the restaurant food was pretty good and the grounds were green and spacious. We booked the most expensive room--room 119 which is the nicest room at the inn. Unfortunately, the room was old and very worn out. The was a musty smell that never went away, the furniture looked so old and dusty I didn't want to sit on anything. The bathroom was small, outdated, the shower had rust, the toilet was cracked and they had ant baits around the toilet. The site might be historic, but the room was just plain dark, smelly, old looking and very much neglected. I didn't feel confident that the room could be very clean because everything looked so neglected. I would not stay at this hotel again. read more

Very nice and old charm resort just off highway 101. The decor is mid century but very nicely done. The restaurant is 5 stars as they cooked my filet perfectly rare and they crab cakes were excellent. The staff is friendly and helpful. Even their complimentary breakfast was nicely made. They don't have a TV in our room so we went to bed early and woke up early which is I guess is a good thing. read more

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I stayed here the first time almost 3 decades ago for a wedding. It stuck out in my mind as a classic inn with really good service, some of the best. Fast forward to 2021 and I'm back with my family. We had the opportunity to stay as we passed through for one night. We had a view of the river, The room has old furniture and a book selection. The reception from all of the kind people who work here are what made it a fun experience. read more

We stayed at the Benbow Historic Inn for a couple nights during ski week so that we could enjoy some of California's natural treasures in the redwood forests in this region. With few options for lodging in this area, we decided to take the minor splurge to stay at this particular inn. The hotel is situated in a beautiful location, in a vale surrounded by mountains and trees and along a tranquil stretch of river. It certainly has stately appearance against this backdrop. Check-in was quick, and even though I had reserved the room at a certain price prior to arrival, the receptionist discovered that there were lower rates for the same room which included a dining credit, and she made the change without our asking. We made our way to our room through the halls that were characterized by dark wood and jewel tones which gave it the feel of an old English manor; I half expected to see men in waistcoats smoking pipes. We booked the Premium King room, and when we walked in we were pleased to discover that the main living area was exceptionally spacious. In addition to king bed, there was a separate "room" with bunk beds (note: only suitable for people under 5' 4", and it's more of a closet as opposed to a room) and a fold-out coach. So, there was plenty of space to spread out. There were some nice touches, such as a small bag of chocolate on the bed and complimentary water and juice. There was also a carafe containing a couple servings of cream sherry that was complimentary as well. There are some quirks that come with older hotels, and this place was no exception. The room was dark at night, particularly in the area around the foldout coach. The windows are single pane and drafty in places, and when we tried to open the windows to air out the room when we arrived, some of the window controls did not work well. It was a little difficult to adjust the room temperature to meet everyone's comfort needs; the person in the foldout coach by the window tended to feel colder at night, whereas people sleeping in the bunk beds (especially the top bunk) felt considerably warmer. The bathroom was very, very small - with a toilet, tub, and small sink there was barely enough space to turn around. Water pressure and temperature were excellent and consistent, but taller people will find the height of the shower head to be inconvenient. Oh yeah, before I forget, you don't need to set a wake up call here. On both mornings, we were roused first by the squawking of bird right outside our window, followed by the persistent knock of a woodpecker. The hotel has a large lounge with comfortable chairs and a wood-burning fireplace that was an enjoyable place to hang out, read, or work on the 1000-piece puzzle that had been started by prior guests. Out back there is a little courtyard that would have been a pleasant place to relax had the weather been a little warmer. Steps lead down to the river, which was low while we were there and made for a nice little stroll. A complimentary hot breakfast is provided, but because of staffing shortages they were unable to provide table service so this was provided in takeout boxes with a couple options each day. These were filling but not spectacular; the breakfast sandwich was delicious and the croissants were warm and flaky, but the biscuits and gravy were not too good. Afternoon tea was a welcome perk, with fluffy scones and a carafe of tea. I'll write more about our restaurant experience in a separate review. The staff here were very friendly and accomodating; when we needed more towels or ice they brought them up promptly. The cost of our stay was a little over $300 per night; though pricier than other options in the area, we felt it to be an acceptable value. read more

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Not a lot of lodging options in the area. If we ever come back to this part of California, we definitely won't stay here. From the minute we arrived, we had issues. The two front desk staff were arguing with each other. The whole place is filthy. I get that it's a historic hotel but cleaning carpets is part of basic maintenance. Our room was large but dirty. Stains on the sofa. The bathroom door would not stay closed even with the deadbolt locked - the spring in the bolt kept unlocking the door on its own. The hotel is equipped with wifi but the signal would not reach to our room so we had to use common areas to check email. TVs have cable but no Netflix or any other streaming so you are stuck with grainy standard definition and have to watch whatever is on live TV. The worst part was the restaurant. We ordered a salad at the bar and right when it came out, we realized there was some live music happening outside, so we picked up our stuff and went out to the patio. We didn't realize that there was a "restaurant patio" and a "bar patio" but it became obvious after a little while because the wait staff serving other tables around us would not acknowledge us at all. So we went back to the bar to order dinner and sat in the unmarked "bar section" of the patio. The $17 salad we ordered was a small pile of spring mix and two very thin, wedge-shaped slices of cheese. No tomatoes, no cucumber, literally nothing else. For $17. Our burger was $34 and nothing to get excited about. The service was just so nonchalant. In other words, no good reason to come back. read more

If there were a way to give this lovely Inn ten stars I would. My husband and I stayed two nights and experienced a lot of what the Inn has to offer. We dressed up and had two AMAZING dinners in a beautiful restaurant and in the morning enjoyed a delicious breakfast sitting in their historic bar. The staff are fantastic. We had massages in our room, enjoyed sitting by the fire with complimentary tea and scones in the afternoon. It's the same recipe from the original Benbow family. The room was very spacious and the mattress was perfect. We have been here in the summer and the winter and I must tell you that both seasons have their own appeal. If you love history you'll love this Inn. A little tip, ask to check out the white binder at the front desk. It's full of Benbow Inn History. It is clear the present owners truly care about their guest's experience. We can't wait to visit again! read more

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I can't say enough wonderful things about the Benbow Inn. We wanted a Christmas wedding and I learned from some online research that they decorate beautifully inside and out for the holidays in keeping with the Traditions of their English Tudor architecture for this historic Inn. They were so willing and went above and beyond the call of duty to help us find a way to make our Christmas Wedding dream come true in a few short weeks. Teresa Porter, the owner, offered to officiate for us herself when we couldn't find an officiant who would marry us on the holiday! The pictures online are beautiful and yet they don't completely capture its essence and the beauty of its ambiance. The peace and serenity of an English Country estate set in its own forest and river landscape are a dreamlike experience. Carefully selected amenities combine modern comforts we love with the old world ambiance we admire. Our Garden Cottage room was set off from the hotel with its own terrace directly overlooking the river and you can walk down to the river beach and the stone bridge from the terrace steps. Our suite was entirely furnished in antiques, and had a real wood burning fireplace (wood provided for us by hotel staff at no extra charge!) and had a charming decorated Christmas tree in it! We had a Keurig machine, and there's a double jet tub in the ensuite bathroom as well as a separate shower and double sinks. Like a luxury primary suite in a mansion home. The quiet hush of the forest on a winter night and the gentle murmur of the river soothed us to sleep each night. We had all of our meals at the restaurant while we were visiting because we liked the restaurant so much! Thank you to the staff at Benbow for our wonderful wedding. I wish I could give you ten stars read more

Benbow Historic Inn - My new Hubby relaxing by the Christmas Tree - Hotels Near Me - Garberville, California

Historic hotel in a beautiful setting. The Richardson Grove State Park is nearby and has lovely trails, swimming holes, and picnic areas. The hotel restaurant is excellent and we loved the outdoor dining area. It would be a beautiful place for events. Some of the rooms are more modern as they have been renovated and some remain more antique style. The lounge area service afternoon tea and cookies. Hotel service was good and our stay was enjoyable. read more

SO disappointed! Ok, so I didn't get a more expensive room. Maybe that's better, however? One should always at least have a hot shower. Called to ask and The front desk extremely rude. Sent someone up immediately but not helpful. Carpet is dirty, and dated (I get it's an old hotel but update accordingly). I don't even mind the spiders I'm showering with that come through the tile holes, but no hot water?? Checked in Nov 1 which us slow for them. Should have better experience. Staff in the kitchen and bar was great however. read more

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I had huge expectations for our stay at Benbow Inn.....I was not disappointed! We had a glitch in our arrival time so we had to cancel our dinner reservation. Check in was a breeze with a very nice clerk. Our room was beautiful with a garden view and well appointed. I can't wait to come back! read more

Stayed a night in the beautiful & spacious Garden Cottage. The view of the garden and river was very relaxing. Complimentary champagne for our wedding anniversary was a lovely surprise! We are very gracious to have felt special and the card was personalized. Dinner was delicious and the service was outstanding. William was our server, professional and kind. Our favorite was relaxing next to the river and watching our children play. read more

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This is the place to stay, if in the area! I was researching places to stay in northern California along highways 101 & 1, during a road trip from Oregon to California, and was very discouraged by how unappealing all of the hotels sounded. The cities themselves did not sound safe, based upon crime rates. I then came across the Benbow Historic Inn. They state that Eleanor Roosevelt, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Herbert Hoover,... all stayed here. It does look like a place out of time. You are in the middle of the redwoods, and this inn has gourmet dining, in a beautiful setting, comfortable rooms with a decanter of sherry and two glasses waiting for you, tea, scones & music every day at 3:00, if you are there at that time, a large sitting room/library with many areas to sit, along with tables with puzzles on them, a chess board, a baby grand piano, etc. Outside is a fire pit, and a lawn with some lounge chairs & twinkle lights strung around the trees,..... It is a place you can relax, unwind, feel like there are many areas to explore, and a place to feel safe, whereas many of the other hotels/cities in the area come with warnings. We were only there 1 night, and missed the tea & scones, and almost missed our dinner. For dinner, we ordered an appetizer that was grilled watermelon with sliced mint & feta cheese & balsamic vinegar drizzled on it. It was so delicious! I have never had warm watermelon, but it was so worth trying! Excellent! Their butter balls for the bread had black salt sprinkled on top. I've never seen that at a restaurant (or anywhere!). I had salmon with a blueberry compote on top, and we also had the eggplant dish. Both were excellent. We had a dessert that was a waffle, with peach slices on top, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, with a caramel/brandy type sauce drizzled over it. I don't often get appetizers or dessert with my meals, but it all sounded so different and delicious, and it was! After driving all day, this place was an oasis of relaxation & beauty. It has so much charm, it was actually a highlight of our long driving adventure. I would definitely always stay here if driving along these roads again. In fact, I would extend my stay for at least a couple of days to enjoy the experience even more. The one point that I was not thrilled with was at breakfast the next morning, we arrived 20 minutes before the end, as there were several people in line ahead of us to check out of the hotel, so it was not quick process. We placed our order, and had some water. We were facing a full day of driving. I realized the waiter had not asked us what we would like to drink, and we had not ordered any coffee or tea, which would help start our long day on the right foot. I asked the waiter if it would be possible to have a cup with our breakfast. He said "No, it was too late. We could have tea at 3:00, during their tea & scone timeframe". We would no longer be there, and being told we can have coffee or tea 5 hours later is really unacceptable, especially as we arrived within the stated hours of breakfast. Not only that, but a 2nd waiter/bus boy came by and started to take away our filled water glasses along with the plates that we were finished with. We can't have coffee or tea or juice, and you are going to take away the one drink we have while we were still drinking it! I realize that some staff may be getting off work or needing to move onto other tasks, but then the restaurant should hire extra staff to cover the remaining customers trying to enjoy the meal that they paid for (it is not a free meal included with your stay). I even left a very good tip, as I was still enjoying the atmosphere of the place, but I really should not have done that, as the waiter so did not try to exert any added effort. It was a very classless move on the waiters part, at an inn that had so far enthralled us with it's charm. There are no Starbucks or Pete's Coffee places that you can drive by and get some caffeine for your long day. I would have given this inn 5 stars, as I feel it had so many unique & delightful attributes, above and beyond many hotels, but I do want the hotel to look at how their wait staff treat their customers, rushing them off & not fully serving them, so they can leave, when we were only eating a quick breakfast before driving another 8 hours on the road; not having a lingering meal. We had arrived within the open time frame. It leaves a very bad last impression on an otherwise enchanting stay. So, for those considering staying here: I highly recommend doing so. It feels like you are back in time, when attention was paid to the details for an elegant, classy stay. For hotel management: please take a look at how the wait staff is trained to treat customers, as described above, as it truly puts a taint to an otherwise incredible experience at the Inn. read more

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The nostalgia of Benbow Inn is what we were there for it brought back such wonderful memories as we were married their 33 years ago almost to the day. We arrived early, they offered tea and scones in the main lobby. That was a great experience. The scones were nice and hot served with butter and orange marmalade. The tea was piping hot. What a nice environment to sit in while we were waiting. When I walked in the room that we reserved, it was musty. We aired it out. The window is so cute the way it opens to the lawn area where we were married and right above where we had all our food set up. It was neat. The window didn't lock. It wouldn't close all the way there were cobwebs everywhere outside there were cobwebs inside the bathroom as well as lots of cobwebs in the halls, and also in the main lobby, which I think they should deal with, with such a high class Inn. The rug in the room was messed up. The bathroom had mold on the shower curtain and around the rim of the sink drain. The shower and the sink both drain slow and the shower itself is almost impossible to see what you're doing in there because it's so dark. They need to put a light in there. They offer 2 cute robes that weren't advertised, which they should advertise because that would've been nice to know they had them, I wouldn't have packed ours. I love the Sherry that they offer. That's so classy. Loved My private terrace it would've been nice to have pads on the seats because they were pretty uncomfortable metal and cold. Overall decent experience, but it's definitely gone downhill since we were last there. One last thing apparently when you have an anniversary they leave chocolates and champagne in your room when you arrive but we didn't have that later they brought it to us when I brought it to their attention. So that was a nice thing to do. Also, due to our bad experience in the dining area that night with our waitress, the manager gave us a bottle of wine as we left I thought that was really sweet. It's a very classy place. It just needs to be fine-tuned with some of the details that have not been being paid attention to if that doesn't bother you you'll have a great experience. read more

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I was traveling alone & have physical challenges. Not long after pulling into a handicapped parking spot next to the hotel entrance a nice young man, Juan, appeared and asked if he could assist me. That was amazing! He loaded up my luggage, guided me to check in, and escorted me to my room. Absolutely amazing service! I love the old historic charm & character of the building. My room was kinda small, as was the bathroom, but very efficiently designed. There was soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion & shower cap in the bathroom that definitely had a more manly scent. The two armchairs were comfortable and my room faced the courtyard. No screens on the windows, but I left it open for awhile as I could hear a variety of older music playing which was relaxing. Also, didn't like that there wasn't a TV or mini frig. However, the front desk staff was kind to put my small lunch bag in their frig. Since I was there on a Thursday nite, I wanted to watch the football game. Wandered down to the lounge where two of the TVs had it on. I ordered dessert & tea. Seasonal gingerbread cake with vanilla icecream was wonderful! Good spice & not too sweet and the icecream had a really good strong vanilla flavor. Also, took a piece of White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake for later, which wasn't anything special. I didn't try the cream sherry in my room but I really appreciated the 2 bottles of water. Next morning went down for breakfast, which was set up in the lounge. They had a fairly good prepackaged assortment of scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage links, fruit cup, cranberry muffin & homemade biscuit. Also, coffee, tea, water and juices. There wasn't any salt, pepper, ketchup, salsa (another guest asked for that), butter or jam. Muffin was really good, biscuit would have been great with at least some butter or strawberry jam, eggs needed salt, and didn't care for the seasonings in the potatoes. You could sit anywhere except in the dining room. Which opened right after I started eating the offering, not realizing that it would be available. Cuz I would have rather paid for a better breakfast. Honestly, I'd been on the road for over a week, and this was the best comp hotel breakfast coming down the coast from Astoria. Outside of the few missing items (mini frig, tv, window screens & condiments for complimentary breakfast), I really enjoyed my stay. Staff provided outstanding service from Juan, the front desk staff to Barb the bartender who served me dessert & tea. read more

Benbow Historic Inn - Beautiful scenery - Hotels Near Me - Garberville, California

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"Our Beloved Benbow" is how we refer to this place. Almost three decades ago, we came upon it with friends while camping at Richardson Grove...we all fell in love with the charm this historic Tudor style hotel. It was an era gone by. It soon became the perfect retreat place for my hubby to work on writing. For 26 years we've made our annual winter trek up to the Redwoods to stay at our beloved Benbow Inn! December is stunning with beautiful Christmas decorations! Throughout the years we've experienced the warm hospitality of proprietors John & Teresa Porter, as well as meeting wonderful guests, many became friends, seeing them each year upon our return. There aren't enough stars to match the rich memories we've made and enjoyed here. ACCOMMODATIONS -There are several choices of types of accommodations, main hotel, terrace and newly designed upper level suites overlooking the River. Prefer the Terrace Fireplace rooms, although all rooms have different benefits. TEA TIME - 3pm-4pm, this is one of the things we look forward to! Traditional English black tea with delicious heart shaped currant scones (same recipe used through the decades!). Mid day break for a cup of tea, scones and jam, sitting by the fireplace, chatting with guests or maybe working on one of the puzzles in the lobby. COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST- a newer amenity, which we loved. Hot breakfast: scramble eggs, bacon, or breakfast sandwich, diced potatoes, fresh fruit, home baked muffin or croissant. And of course coffee and tea! All packed to go. Can enjoy eating breakfast in lobby, outside patio or in your room. DINNER - the dining room is gorgeous and elegant! Service is excellent, food is good. It's a special feel when you walk into this dining room, the experience adds to the enjoyment of the meal. So many other amenities connected to the Benbow that we have not used, such as a golf course and KOA campgrounds . Best to look at their website to get more info. If wanting a peaceful getaway, surrounded by river, soaring eagles and beauty of the Redwoods, Benbow is the place to come! read more

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We've stayed at the Benbow 4 times in 20 years. The building and grounds are really amazing and have kept us coming back through the decades. We were recently there for our first trip post-covid. We took advantage of a midweek deal; with that the room rate was pretty reasonable, though their base rates are quite high. As far as the hotel and grounds go, they are as beautiful as ever and do not seem to be in any sort of abrupt post-covid decline. The food, on the other hand? Well, in the former days you paid a premium for it, but everything was very fancy and high class -- so it felt mostly worth it. We still paid a premium, but compared to past visits the food felt just "ok". Nothing was bad per se but not reflective of the price point. The service folks seemed like they were really busy -- probably understaffed. The worst was paying $22, before tax and tip, for a single cocktail -- a Sidecar, which was fine but nothing fancy. The whole experience gave an impression of an operation that was increasingly turning to nickel-and-diming to stay afloat. That said, I guess we are grateful that the Benbow is still "afloat" and in business as it approaches 100 years, especially with Garberville and the surrounding area definitely in decline with many shuttered storefronts. Will we return again in another few years as we have been? Probably. Despite our disappointment with the price/quality ratio of the food we did still have a really enjoyable time there. read more

Service and accomidation for us was exceptional Thankyou absolutely a experience I will always remember this Valentine's day. The ambiance,food and service was great. read more

The grounds and rustic charm are really a wondeful experience, however the general service and attitude of some of the staff leaves a little to be desired. As a hotel you should be able to feed your guests all day long, but they only have a limited breakfast and there is basically no dining or bar options until 3pm so you are on your own to find lunch. Additionally, they seem to be on a skeleton crew as wait times for food were always very long. I feel like the hotel rates reflect these shortcomings however and the food is excellent once it does come out. Additionally, the area in general is limited to options just due to being in a sparsely populated area. We stayed in the cottage which was perfect for our family to converge from the other rooms and spend quality time together. Try and get one of the rooms that faces the bridge and river as it's a beautiful view to experience while you are there. Even though it says there is a pool/golf course available, and there is, just don't expect too much from it as it's actually across the freeway at the local KOA campground. We will certainly go back in the future, especially now that we know how to navigate the limited ammenitites available. read more

We had our staff Christmas party and over night stay was a wonderful experience not to mention food was excellent premise beautiful staff eager to assist! Highly recommend a visit and or a stay!!! read more