News

Benbow Historic Inn Reopens After COVID-19 Closure

Benbow Historic Inn located on the Redwood Highway at exit 636, US Hwy 101 will reopen on Friday June 19, 2020 at 3pm to receive guests.  The Inn closed on Sunday March 22, 2020 due to the COVID-19 spread.  “We chose to close earlier than most lodging properties before the virus contaminated the Inn & staff”, stated, John E Porter, Managing Partner.  “It was the right decision at the right time and we feel now is the time to open since both Governor Newsom and our county have opened up non-essential travel”, Porter stated.   In essence, the Inn has been quarantined and will be implementing elevated sanitation, cleaning and other procedures in order to protect guests, employees and vendors. Starting on Monday June 15, 2020 the Inn will be taking reservations and answering the phone from 9am to 5pm and on Friday the 19^th the Inn will open.  The restaurant hours will be, Brunch 8am to 2pm Saturday & Sunday only and Dinner 5pm to 9pm nightly.

Porter also announced the re-hiring of George Tannehill as Executive Chef.  “George was our Chef from 2008 to 2013 and is back to perform his food talents along with our culinary team”, Porter mentioned.  Porter and Tannehill have decided to start slow with limiting hours of service and streamlined menus.  All procedures will be closely monitored to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness for the safety of guests, employees and vendors.    All employees and guests will be required to wear masks and some employees will be gloved.  The Inn will have a team of public area employees who will constantly be sanitizing sensitive areas, elevator buttons, door handles, hand rails and the like.  “With our outside dining we are able to give guests more than the standard 6’ social distancing separation”, mentioned Chef Tannehill.  For the safety of everyone, dining guests will be asked to keep their masks on except when they are seated at their table.  Culinary Gardner, Steve Soderquist is also back and will be working closely with Tannehill on fresh garden vegetables, herbs, flowers and the like.  “Chef Tannehill and I are planning a garden which will produce fresh products for the kitchen, in addition we are using local farmers, fisherman and ranchers to source proteins and other fresh products”, mentioned Soderquist.

Benbow Historic Inn first opened in July 1926 by the Benbow Family and has been serving the traveling public in Southern Humboldt County for over 9 decades, and is a part of Historic Hotels of America.

For more information, please contact John E Porter at 707 223-3150, e-mail [email protected] or visit Benbow Historic Inn website at www.benbowinn.com.