PORTLAND, Ore. (December 4, 2024) – The Benson Portland, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, invites the public back once again to see its Gingerbread Masterpiece, a beloved 53-year holiday tradition. This year, the historic hotel unveiled a castle inspired by Germany’s Eltz Castle, described as a “fairy tale in stone”, and the epitome of a knight’s castle. The event took place December 3 in the grand lobby, surrounded by festive trimmings. The masterpiece will be on display through January 5. Burg Eltz or Eltz Castle or can be found in the hills of the German town of Wierschem, between Koblenz and Trier. It remained unscathed by wars and has been owned and cared for by the same family from when it was built until today. Burg Eltz was the inspiration and blueprint for Disney’s Cinderella movie. This majestic creation is made entirely of confectionary delights, with over 150 pounds of house-made gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 30 pounds of chocolate, 12 pounds of Rice Krispies treats and buckets of royal icing.
By Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive 150 pounds of gingerbread. 50 pounds of marzipan. 20 pounds of chocolate. 10 pounds of Rice Krispies Treats. Those are the building blocks behind The Benson Portland’s 2023 Gingerbread Masterpiece – a 52-year holiday tradition. For 2023, master pastry chef David Diffendorfer recreated Neuschwanstein Castle for his 27th year as architect of the longstanding holiday tradition at the downtown Portland hotel. The German castle was built in the 19th century and is located in the Bavarian Alps. It was also the inspiration behind the inspiration behind the Cinderella Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Diffendorfer’s re-creation includes the large ornate castle sitting high up, looking down to smaller buildings, trees, a bridge and lake. The Gingerbread Masterpiece is located in the lobby of The Benson and is on display and open to the public through December 30. Visitors are encouraged to stop by, enjoy a drink or hot cocoa at the lobby bar and sit by the fire.
Social distancing is natural here with no elevators and no interior hallways. The one- to five-bedroom individual cottage homes are free-standing with tropical plantings surrounding each cottage for privacy. Each cottage comes with a fully equipped kitchen and private lanai.