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.
“They are just very strong women that we appreciate. They are in leadership positions for the hotel for a reason and they are just fantastic. They are hard working women and they look after the employees.”
Waimea Plantation Cottages, a 43-acre oceanfront property on west Kauai offers 60 authentic Hawaii-style plantation cottages, announced today a new "Fall for Kauai" special, in addition to new health and safety protocols that have been implemented throughout the breezy and expansive resort.
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.
The islands’ sugar plantation heyday from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s is credited with sparking Hawaii’s modern cultural mix. At Waimea Plantation Cottages, on the former season grounds of a sugar mill, restored workers’ homes– some more than a century old–serve as bungalow-style accommodations, with lounge-worthy lanais and period details such as claw-foot tubs and rattan furniture.
More than 50 simply but graciously restored cottages and larger homes from the Garden Island’s early 20th century plantation era stand within this 30-acre oceanfront compound on the quiet West Side, shaded by numerous palms, Norfolk pines, and other tropical trees. The Waimea Plantation Cottages' driftwood-lined, dark-sand beach isn’t swimmable, but guests have a head start on the winding drives to nearby attractions such as Waimea Canyon, Kokee State Park, and miles-long Polihale Beach.
After a day of museums, shopping, and great food, you need a comfortable place to recharge and relax. Hotel 116, formerly the Coast Bellevue Hotel, is just that place. Hotel 116 is newly remodeled with mid century modern flair and is located off the freeway near the Meydenbauer Center. Since there aren't good walkways available from Old Bellevue to the hotel, I was happy to find that they offer a shuttle service to any location within 5 miles of the property, which can get you to just about all of the Bellevue attractions.
While visiting the Seattle Southside, we stayed at the Coast Gateway Hotel. The hotel is so close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport that you could almost reach out and touch it. If seeing planes take off and land while you are relaxing in your hotel room doesn't spark your Wanderlust, not much else will!
Hotel 116 is located on the east side of Interstate 405 which means that not only do you have convenient commuting access, but you are also close to everything Bellevue has to offer – from business centers to shopping, from parks to museums. And perhaps most importantly for me, you’re away from the traffic grid surrounding Bellevue Square.
Originally known as the New Oregon Hotel, The Benson Hotel was soon re-named in honor of Simon Benson, one of early Portland’s noted lumber barons, philanthropists and visionaries. Benson commissioned the city’s most prominent architect of the day, Albert E. Doyle of the firm Doyle and Patterson, to design the facility. Benson wanted to build a grand hotel for Portland that features the distinctive style of restraint and proportion reflected during the early 20th century.
It’s no surprise that we’ve been on the road a lot lately. It’s generally what we enjoy doing, but most recently we’ve been touring our state of California for our oldest daughter. As a senior in high school, she has applied to universities with a plan to major in Dance. With this major also comes the added application requirement of having to audition for placement in the programs. A weekend to UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara had us down in southern California and we were thrilled to partner with West Beach Inn right across the street from Santa Barbara’s harbor.
"You can feel your blood pressure drop as soon as you drive in town" Gregg Enright, General Manager, Waimea Plantation Cottages, a Coast Hotel
Since Coast Hotels USA took over management of Waimea Plantation Cottages in July 2014, occupancy and revenue have increased significantly.
