Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.0
#1 of 5 hotels in Garberville
Location
4.5
Rooms
4.2
Value
3.9
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.3
Sleep Quality
4.3
Opened in 1926, Benbow is a magnificent country inn that will transport you into an era from long ago. Fine dining options are offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in on-site restaurant and lounge which features a robust wine list. As a member of Historic Hotels of America and on the National Register of Historic Places the Benbow has kept it's grandeur while adding modern amenities such as climate control hotel wide, ADA accessible rooms, five stop elevator. Amenities include daily tea & scones, in room sherry & coffee, complimentary bicycles, seasonal pool & Jacuzzi, splash park, playground, meeting spaces, wedding venues, hiking & biking trails abound. Located on the Eel River near the entrance to the Avenue of the Giants. A must see at the Benbow Exit 636 off US Highway 101. When available two pets are allowed in designated rooms with a $30 pet fee per visit.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
This is an interesting hotel. There is a lot of historic character but there are also some hits and misses.
The Garberville area can be very hot in the summer, but thankfully the air conditioning system in the room that I had in the historic part of the building was up to the task of keeping the room cool and pleasant.
The grounds are nice to walk around, but you definitely hear traffic noise from nearby Highway 101. Noise was also noticeable in the room.
A decanter of sherry, with a very small amount of sherry, was provided in the room. A difficult to remove plastic seal was on the decanter. All of the mugs and glasses were sealed in plastic. It seemed a bit of overkill even during Covid times.
The restaurant had a decent menu and my server tried hard, perhaps a little too hard. With wildly long eyelashes and a strange mixture of colors in her hair she presented an interesting sight. She had a set patter that she gave at each table, including exclaiming how the Chef had prepared a “wonderful” menu and how the time that the diners had arrived was her favorite time of day. She also came back to check on us about three too many times. I was told that the dessert was “delicious” as it was being served. I suspect the person eating the dessert should be the judge of that. All of this points to a need to improve training.
A diner at a neighboring table noted that the menu had not changed from the previous night.
The room itself (Historical Queen) is small, as they state on the website, but was comfortable. The floor length blackout curtains do keep the light out. If possible, try to get a room facing away from the Highway due to the road noise and also noise from the terrace/dining area below.
There is no TV in the room, but this is also stated on the website. This is a bit of relief since you don’t have to listen to a neighboring room’s TV choices.
The included internet wifi was pretty poor at around 500 Kbps. Luckily the location was not too bad for cellular service and I was able to get 3.8 Mbps through my Verizon Jetpack/Mifi. They do offer a “premium” wifi at $9.95.
If you are travelling along Highway 101 this is not a bad place to stop and break your journey for a night.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Ask for a room facing away from Highway 101
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Owner at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Aug 9, 2021
Thank you for this well-written review. We appreciate your comments and will be sure to pass them along to the team.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The grounds of this historic inn are lovely. And the location is convenient, right off the highway. I got checked in and was given instructions about my room and food, and as I was in the elevator an employee asked what room I was in and showed me the way it unlocked my door for me. There’s a lovely grassy area in back that leads down to the river that is so lovely and peaceful. Definitely venture out to explore the grounds if you visit. The food is pricey and I’m sure once the dining room is fully open, the experience is worth it. My room was charming and in line with the feel of the property. However the property in general needs a good deep clean. There was dust and spiderwebs on several light fixtures and surfaces around the hotel. And my headboard was dusty as were the blinds. The bed was clean and the comfortable. But the window on one side of the room was broken and open. Not only did cold air seep in all night but the voices from below carried crystal clear at night and early in the morning. The shutters were missing slats and did nothing to block the light. Very disappointing. The grab and go breakfast was average but the tea and coffee to go was nice. Overall my stay was pleasant and I would return.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Owner at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Jun 1, 2021
Hi Allison - thank you for taking the time to provide us with some feedback and for choosing the Benbow Inn. We hope to see you again soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a surprisingly charming, well run hotel in a delightful part of California. We liked the Benbow Inn enough to change our plans and book a third night. I highly recommend reserving one of the fourth floor founder's rooms which have been newly renovated with tasteful, characterful furnishings and beautiful bathrooms. We had one with a gorgeous copper bath, separate shower and windows in two directions overlooking the trees.
The staff were excellent, responsive and proactive. Overall we were impressed with the effort they were making to ensure social distancing and safety during Covid. It's hard to run a business like this right now but they're doing a great job and luckily the hotel has plenty of outdoor public spaces. We enjoyed dinner outside nightly on the pretty patio and can recommend the food, though it's fair to say it's not inexpensive.
Overall a strong recommendation from us and wonderfully situated for hikes in the Redwood region. It's hard to find comfortable, authentic, historic properties in California and in some ways the Benbow remained me of a mini Awahnee. We will certainly be back, thanks for the lovely stay.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Recommend the Founder's rooms on the top floor.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Agency / Consultant at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Oct 6, 2020
Thank you! Please come back to see us again soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed here in early July. When we arrived early, the front desk person said to come back after 3 and the room might be ready. There was no offer to call or text me when our room was ready. It wasn't until later we found out that she could have directed us to use the pool at the KOA across the street. The lady wan't really rude, just helpless in taking care of guests. Rooms were nice and cleanl. We had dinner at the restaurant that night. The patio is really nice, the food...not so much. The Foie Gras was excellent. My son had pasta with marinara which should be easy, but the sauce was so dry like someone wiped tomato paste on the pasta. The waiter took it back and we traded for just some buttered pasta, but it came back as pasta drowning in melted butter, no flavor, no cheese and at the end there was a pool of melted butter in the dish. The ribs were ok, pretty dry, though. Wine and drinks were good and the waiter nice. Front desk staff should be the best since they are the first person a guest sees. The cook should have a bottle of Prego pasta sauce on hand or read a basic marinara recipe. Pretty average food for the $$.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Agency / Consultant at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Jul 20, 2020
Hi michaelz126, Thank you for choosing the Benbow and for taking the time to write us a review. We are sorry to hear that your stay with us wasn't everything it should have been. We will definitely take this opportunity to pass along your comments to our staff so that if you choose to return, it will be a better experience.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Benbow is not for everyone. If you want consistent, predictable rooms and shared communal flashy spaces then go to the Marriott. However, if you like quirky, historical places with a touch of the unpredictable, then the Benbow is for you. This was our third stay here and we love it. Yes some of the rooms are small. Yes the freeway noise is a shame. Yes some of the fittings and fixtures are old. But that’s all part of the charm. The food is excellent although a bit pricey, and they are working so hard to function despite Covid and struggling to get their usual staff bc of travel restrictions. I think everyone needs to take a chill pill - or better yet, order a martini and enjoy the terrace. My only quibble: at these rates, premium wifi should be included for all guests. It’s so tacky to only have poor complementary access and then charge people an extra $10 for wifi especially when many of the rooms don’t have TVs. Otherwise - it’s a gem.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Agency / Consultant at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Oct 6, 2020
Thank you!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We held a family reunion here last weekend and had a wonderful time. We'd read the reviews so knew to request the newer 'renovated' rooms, which cost $20 extra per room per night (totally worth it), and enjoyed most of the hotel's offerings while there: tea & scones (between 3-4pm...scrumptious!), dinner at the restaurant, post-dinner drinks at the bar which we brought to the lounge area where there's a fireplace (which only seats a party of 4 FYI), breakfast at the restaurant the next day, and access to the Eel River which runs alongside the property. The staff were incredibly courteous and the overall vibe there (guests and staff alike) friendly. Enjoy!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:I'd ask the reservation agent what they suggest...and FYI the renovated rooms are much better!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ManagerDM, Guest Relations Manager at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Feb 6, 2020
Thank you for the great review! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed our new Founders Rooms and the fireplace! Please come back to visit us again soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've stayed at the Benbow several times in the past 40 years. I visited a couple of years ago when the Inn was under construction. I understand changes needed to be made but it's not been the same. The warm welcoming charm of the Inn has drifted...pretentiousness has taken over. The staff, while not rude, can barely be bothered to give you more than cliff notes on your stay. Our "historic" queen room was not only a stuffy relic, they still haven't fixed the lack of hot water. Signs plead with us to conserve water yet if you want anything above tepid you must let it run for several minutes. The bedding looked as if purchased at a thrift store, circa 1970. The sheets were thin and stiff and comforter lacking in warmth with no extra blanket provided for the drafty room. The bed was hastily made. I had to pull the corners of the sheets over the lumpy cheap mattress so they would stop popping off. The pillows no better than the lumpy mattress. No refrigerator, microwave but the cheapest pod-type coffee maker was provided. $30 for 2 pieces of uncooked lukewarm french toast, bacon cooked into curls of grease and tiny glass of orange juice. I'm so sad to see this happen to a place that once held so much history and grace. We drove up 101 and out to the coast and for $120 less we stayed in a room twice the size of the room at Benbow. We had a beautiful view of the ocean, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, King size comfortable bed with crisp soft linens and extra blanket and pillows. The person on staff was welcoming and helpful encouraging us to let her know if we needed anything. We had instant hot water and a sink separate from the bathroom with a hair dryer, soaps, shampoo and conditioner and a ‘shaving mirror’. There was a big screen TV and free wi-fi. The room clean and flooded with natural light. We’re already planning our next stay. We will not be returning to the Benbow Inn.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was a “splurge” along 101, where your main choices are motels. However, our experience was really uneven. For $350 a night, they need to fix the place up. The air conditioning leaked all over the carpet at the room entrance so we had soaking wet carpet to walk over. They left a plate up for a fire alarm on the ceiling, which was next to what appeared to be a working fire alarm. Really? Take 2 minutes to remove the extra plate! They left unpatched ceiling where they put in the sprinklers. The bathroom counter is 1980s blue tile with white grout. Lastly and most annoyingly.....they give you free internet that is way too slow to be useable and they make you pay $10 for “fast” internet which was a measly 1MBPS and had a maximum of 2 devices allowed. Super tight and lame policy and felt like a way to squeeze folks for extra pocket change. Also- there were only two towels. Most women I know need one for their hair, one for their body. Again, it felt like they were skimpy with amenities. Many of the staff we met said they were brand new and unable to answer our questions- two days in on the job. I wonder why so many people are brand new in the middle of high season? It seemed odd. Overall, if this place were $100 less I would have given it 5 stars. The grounds are really gorgeous. But for this price ($375 with tax) they need to pay better attention to maintenance and not charge for “faster” internet.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Guest Services Manager, Agency / Consultant at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Aug 18, 2020
Dear MaloneV: Thank you for your review. We appreciate all comments from our guests. Benbow Historic Inn just completed a $8.5m dollar expansion and renovations in order to make the Inn comply with the Federal ADA laws. This included 10 new Founders Rooms (three being ADA compliant), 5 stop elevator, new cocktail lounge, two meeting rooms, two new kitchens, new HVAC and more. We are in the process of repairing the condensation caused by the air conditioning and I believe offered to move your room. Thank you for bringing to our attention the fire sprinkler which should have been completed by our general contractor who recently completed our expansion. This will be taken care of. As a result of our rural location we only have a limited WIFI however you make a good point of charging for the MBPS and we are considering changing that policy. Extra terry items, coffee and other in room amenities are always available for the asking. As everyone knows in February/March of this year the world became aware of and affected by COVID-19. Non-essential travel was band from our county and we actually closed the Inn from March 22, 2020 to June 19, 2020. Again, because of our rural location we use both J-1 and H2B visa programs and COVID-19 cancelled the J-1 program altogether and we were only able to obtain half (9) of our H2B workers. We did not find this out until the last minute and six of the workers were unable to come because of the Presidents order to stop all visas. The nine workers we did get had to be quarantined for 14 days before they could start working. So, yes staffing has been a challenge however we continue to add staff since reopening. Thank you and we hope to see you again.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
First, we were checked in by someone who was having a bad day or just radiated negativity, but oh well. Then when looking at the website to learn more about the pool and hot tub the bookings calendar is there and shows my room is $222 vs the $304 I paid when I booked a month ago. When I asked about this, and could I get an upgraded room… “rates change all the time, every day… and No, nothing can be done”. From the same bad attitude person. So caution- check the pricing before their cancellation date (5 days prior) and get yourself a better rate, though I would not recommend staying here. So for the money we were expecting a really great stay…. This was a splurge for my moms 75th birthday. We went down for our 7 pm dinner resie. The dining room was very cold as both doors were open, everyone was complaining about the cold. We ordered butternut squash soup and a beet salad. The soup was red and spicy, very odd flavors. Neither of us could finish it. Then the salad came and it wasn’t the beet salad. The manager was very nice and took the food off our bill. The two ladies at the table next to us didn’t have hot water the two days they have been here. This is not worth the $222 - $300 for sure.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For years my Aunt and Uncle have been talking about the Benbow Historic Inn and we were finally able to experience this amazing place for their 53rd wedding Anniversary! We were able to share this special time with them at the Inn and were able to experience first hand what they have always enjoyed about this magical place! When we first pulled up we were taken aback by the beauty of its location! Nestled amongst the beautiful trees and amazing grounds with beautiful gardens we already felt a sense of peace away from all the hustle and bustle! We were greeted by amazing staff at check in and our rooms were spacious and quiet! Upon walking through the hotel we made our way to the main lobby which had an outstanding fireplace where we were able to enjoy tea and the best scones we've ever tasted! We also were able to challenge each other to puzzle building and backgammon! Great way to relax! Out on the back patio was a fantastic fire conversational pit where we sat and enjoyed our time while listening to the peacefulness of the Eel River. The next day we visited the Avenue of the Giants redwood trees and upon returning we had some of the best cocktails at the historic 1920’s Bar. Dinner was just as amazing and the waiter was so attentive to our needs since one of us has a food allergy and they made sure to accommodate us! It was really hard leaving since we had such a wonderful time and we are so grateful to our Aunt and Uncle for sharing The Benbow Inn with us! We would definitely recommend the Inn to anyone who is looking for a great getaway which also has so many different things to do and is perfect for weddings or any other social events in an amazing setting!!!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from OptiRev Development, Agency / Consultant at Benbow Historic Inn
Responded Feb 19, 2020
Sofies Travels, It sounds like you had an amazing trip! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed all that the Inn has to offer. Thank you for taking the time to write us a review and for visiting with us. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
You know I don't recall being charged extra, but our dog friendly room was ground floor located away from the main center of the hotel. I consider them very dog friendly however, but don't remember how many rooms are available for them.
Thank you for contacting us. Here are our answers to your questions:
1. We are currently under construction and closed. Our Terrace Rooms will open on February 1, 2017 for rentals, however the restaurant & cocktail lounge are under renovations until April 1, 2017. Currently yes there are steps to get into the hotel, however on or about July 17, 2017 our expansion will be completed and we will have an elevator.
2. Not yet, see #1 above
3. Yes, you can get a "pet free" room
4. As stated we will have our new elevator and three ADA guest rooms when the expansion addition is completed on or about July 17. 2017.
hi. if you have questions about the hotel, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful - most of them live in the area. i would email them directly. if you have questions about the area, there is the garberville chamber of commerce
there are some very nice places around there - up in the redwoods and over on the coast at shelter cove - the benbow itself is wonderful -there's a golf course as part of the place. and if you combine this with a trip to san francisco, you can take either the inland route via the wine country or the coastal road down to Point Reyes. All pretty incredible. good luck
There are more places to choose from in the Garberville area.
PRICE RANGE
$183 - $296 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
benbow inn
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaHumboldt CountyGarberville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
65
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
