Welcome to the benji
BENJAMIN YOUNG INN
victorian B&B | weddings & events
Welcome to The Benji! We are a family owned Victorian Bed & Breakfast and wedding & event venue since 1994. Built in 1888 this Queen Anne Victorian home is on the National Register of Historic Places. The 3/4 acre estate overlooks the Columbia River in the quaint and historic town of Astoria, Oregon. We have five elegantly comfortable guest rooms each with their own private bathroom. Gourmet breakfast is served daily with your stay.
All are welcome! LGBTQ+ Friendly
About Us
Victorian B&B in Astoria
Experience gracious hospitality and gourmet breakfast in our elegant, but comfortable Victorian Bed & Breakfast in Astoria, Oregon. Our historic B&B is ideal for staycations, elopements, small weddings, groups, romantic getaways, singles, families, or as a destination while cruising the coast. We have five uniquely decorated guest rooms all with their own private bathroom and view. Rent the whole B&B to accommodate up to 14 for your family, friends, wedding party or for a retreat. We do weddings for up to 40 guests and special events including private tea parties, meetings, holiday gatherings and more. Never been to a B&B? Staying here at The Benji is an unique experience and very different from your standard hotel. Here you feel welcomed into a relative or friend’s house that happens to be a big old victorian with a lot more hospitality (and grandma chic). Come see what Astoria has to offer and stay in a home full of rich history with young energy.
Your hosts,
Emma & Lorin Anderson
Gallery
history
The Benjamin Young House
The house was built in 1888 and designed in the Queen Anne stick style. Built by an Englishman named Palmer for Mr. Benjamin Young and his growing family. It is situated on a 3/4 acre estate overlooking the Columbia River, 1.5 miles East of Downtown in the Uppertown neighborhood. The original property line included the riverbank until Highway 30 was rerouted. Ben Young was a sea captain who emigrated from Sweden and made most of his early wealth as salmon cannery owner at the beginning of the Astoria salmon packing boom. Two canneries that we know of were the Fisherman’s Packing Company and The Scandinavian Packing Company. Later Ben owned exporting goods companies in both Alaska and British Columbia. He invested in real estate and started the Astoria Savings Bank. His home passed down to his eldest, Dr. Clara Waffle (born in 1877). She went to University of Oregon and became one of the first graduating female doctors. The house remained in the family for nearly 100 years, 1888-1987. Both the house and the carriage house were put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
In 1987 the Benjamin Young House was sold and made into a Bed and Breakfast, called “KC’s Mansion by the Sea.” The new owners converted the bedroom closets into bathrooms giving each bedroom their own ensuite. Other than repairs and superficial updates little has been changed in 135+ years.
Carolyn Hammer and her late husband Ken bought the B&B in 1994 and renamed it the “Benjamin Young Inn.” They ran it together as a five room B&B and hosted many weddings and events until Ken’s unexpected passing in 2002. They were a very popular venue and a one stop shop for weddings. Carolyn did the catering and Ken preformed the wedding ceremonies. Their largest wedding event was for 150 people. Carolyn was successful as a woman owned business and gained reputation in the Oregon B&B community. She ran the B&B until she retired in 2018. Now her grandson Lorin Anderson and his wife Emma are continuing her dream. The younger couple moved from Michigan in the fall of 2020 and have been your hosts ever since.
amenities
Columbia River views
Guest refrigerator, microwave & electric kettle
1.5 miles from downtown
15 minute drive from the coast
Unique & spacious guest rooms
680+ thread count linens
History collection on Astoria, the house & the Young family
National Register of Historic Places since 1979
All rooms have private bathrooms with showers
Radiator heating
Fans plus blackout curtains or shutters in all rooms
Free WiFi
Free off street & on street parking
making lifelong memories
Elopements & Weddings
Fall in love with our 1888 Queen Anne Victorian house, decor and grounds. Perfect ambiance for elopements, showers, rehearsal dinners and small wedding ceremonies & receptions. We have a list of experienced event planners, florists, caterers, event supply rentals and more. We want to make your day unforgettable.
For weddings we prefer that you reserve 6-12+ months in advance. We would love to schedule a tour with you and hear more about your vision and goals. Please contact Emma to get started. Call or text 503-440-6151 or email [email protected]
FAQs
More Info
Indoors for up to 30* The dining room sits up to 10, but we can add a table on the end to seat more. Our parlor (large living room) has standing room for 40 with mixed seating enough for 20.
Outdoors for up to 75* The side garden can be used for ceremony and/or reception. The paved parking lot can be used for parking or reception.
Please note that we have one bathroom available for events. It is located indoors on the first floor of the house. Unfortunately, our original 1888 house is not designed for wheelchairs. There are 4 steps up to the front door and multiple narrow doorways.
private tea party
Tea Parties for up to 10
Grab your besties and have a private tea party at The Benji! We have tea hats for you to wear, beautiful china, and three courses to go with your tea. Make it more fun and bring your own bubbles, we’ll provide the flutes and the OJ.
FAQs
Whole House Rental
Rent the whole house for a minimum of 2 nights for your group and event. Sleep up to 13 in our 5 beautiful guest rooms each with their own private bathroom. Sleep up to 14 by adding The Study, an additional room with a sofa bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers and 1/2 bath. Squeeze up to 16 and a small child with our new pack & play, and two vintage rollaway beds.
lets talk food
Breakfast with a View
be our guest
Breakfast at The Benji begins at 9am in our beautiful dining room overlooking the Columbia River and the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Wake up to fresh brewed coffee or enjoy a cuppa. We begin breakfast usually with a first course, either fresh fruit, parfait or one of our homemade baked goods. Main course favorites are our Marionberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast or Carolyn’s all time classic Eggs Bennedict.
food restriction friendly
We take pride in serving a delicious breakfast that fits your specific needs. Please, let us know of any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Frequent accommodations include breakfasts that are gluten free, dairy free, pescatarian, egg free, vegan, diabetic friendly and more.
Explore Astoria & The Coast
tourist guide information
Visit the website Travel Astoria for helpful visitor guides or go in-person to the Astoria Chamber Commerce. Do you have an instagram, if so we have a guide of some of our favorite spots on where to eat, get a drink or go site seeing. The Benji’s Instagram Guide.
activities in Astoria
Enjoy walks to the pier on the Astoria Riverwalk, antique shopping, site-seeing historical homes, places & museums, charter fishing, theaters, craft cocktails, art galleries, breweries, running, walking, hiking, kayaking or swimming at the indoor aquatic center. From the B&B it’s only 2 blocks to the Astoria Riverwalk where you can head downtown or go East for more natural scenery. Every second Saturday there’s an Astoria Downtown Art Walk. During the later spring and through summer you can pick up the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and ride up and down through town. Also during the summer is the very popular Astoria Sunday Market.
uppertown neighborhood
Our home is in Uppertown. Originally this neighborhood was made up of mostly Swedish emigrants, Mr. Benjamin Young included. We are 1.5 miles away from Downtown. From the B&B it’s only a 7 minute walk to Pier 39 where you can pass the time on the water at Coffee Girl, enjoy a brew at Rogue Ales Public House, tour the Hanthorn Cannery Museum or grab a glass at The Vineside Wine Bar. For those who love to walk and hike we are 1.5 miles from Cathedral Tree Trail head. The trail will take you to the Astoria Column. If you want stroll around the neighborhood walk by and admire the beautiful Gustavas Holme House on the top of the hill at 34th St. and Grand St. 80s & 90s movie lovers, we are only 1 block away from the Goonies house and we’re right next door to the Kindergarten Cop school. Last but not least, it’s only a 3 minute walk to both Astoria Coffee Company and Geno’s Pizza & Burgers.
attractions
We are near many points of interest such as the Flavel House, Fort Stevens State Park, Cape Disappointment, Fort Columbia Historical State Park, Columbia Maritime Museum, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, the Astoria-Megler Bridge and many more. It’s just a 15 minute drive to ocean beaches. We are also near the beach towns of Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Long Beach.
the sea lions song
Our most notable local wildlife, because they are the most vocal are the sea lions. You can see and hear them from the house throughout most of the year. Some guests may be surprised to find that you can hear the sea lions barking just about 24 hours a day. However, you can’t hear them at all around July, because they swim to California for mating season. By mid August they’re back at it barking, barking, barking.
reviews
Very clean and charming; the breakfast was culinary coupled with pleasant conversation from the other guests. The Benjamin Young House was worth the early booking. We would stay there again if an opportunity occurred.
The Benjamin Young Inn was the perfect place to stay during our trip to Astoria. Emma and Lorin were great hosts and gave us recommendations on sites to see and breweries to visit while in town. The house itself is close to town and near a pretty paved path along the water. It was fun to see the Victorian decor all throughout the house, from fancy plates on the walls to ornate tea cups for morning tea or coffee. The house even has a real wood-burning fireplace! One modern touch we appreciated was the incredibly plush bath towels and soft sheets.
This is a fun place to stay! Emma went out of her way to accommodate my food allergies and served me a wonderful breakfast. The history of the house and the views are amazing. You won’t regret a stay here.
Emma and Mary made us feel so welcome. The house was filled with history and charming details. Delicious breakfast and a variety of beverages to choose from. The room was clean and the beds were very comfortable. Will stay here again.
Wow! What can I say! This place is amazing! We were looking for a place to have a welcome party for a wedding reception in Astoria. This beautiful home was absolutely the right choice. Emma and her husband and her wonderful staff were so accommodating and kind. Everyone had a great time. My daughter and I also stayed here when we were looking for venues, and each room is so quaint, clean, and feels like home. We stayed in The Dorothy room, and the beds were comfortable, the bathroom quaint, but updated, and such a lovely strawberry french toast breakfast! If you are looking for a place that is truly Astoria, this is the place for you!
let's get in touch
Your hosts, Emma & Lorin Anderson (innkeepers) and Carolyn Hammer (owner)
Benjamin Young Inn
3652 Duane Street, Astoria, Oregon 97103
House: +1 (503) 325-6172
Mobile: +1 (503) 440-6151
Email: [email protected]