Pretty building, but lacks many simple amenities better hotels have, such as coffee, breakfast, etc. There is a restaurant but its only open on Fridas and Saturdays. There isn't really a decent restaurant for 20+miles so this lack of dining leaves a lot to be desired. Simple coffee machines in the rooms would be huge. While attempting to eat at the restaurant, I was asked to move my table twice, and then was told they were out of what I ordered. Locals seem to get preference over guests at the hotel. The entire operation is poorly run, and lacks basics. Either do it right or shut it down. read more

Benham School House Inn - A room - Hotels Near Me - Benham, Kentucky

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Friendly staff, if you just need a place to land for the night that's cheap, this will work for you. I was disappointed the advertising wasn't as accurate as we had hoped. We never saw the first person in the "restaurant" and breakfast was cereal. Goodness..... My research showed a full bar, however they lost their liquor license. You couldn't even get a margarita at the Mexican restaurant 10 miles down the road. Updating their advertising would be nice. Hopefully this will help someone if you are looking for the full experience or hand soap LOL, this is not for you. read more

We stayed at the Benham School House Inn on 12 Oct 2025 while visiting family in the Benham and Cumberland area. We started our stay with a late lunch which was very good. The hotel has a unique charm, and the staff were very helpful throughout our stay. We will stay in the future when we visit the area. read more

There are two vastly different things to review in the stay here. First, the accommodations were nice. A dive into history. How they've managed to turn an old school into a nice little Inn is extraordinary. The staff and the stay was very nice and I will certainly revisit. Now.... the down side. The food in the restaurant inside. Maybe it's a regional thing, I'm not sure. But how any cook can manage to not only ruin a simple dish like Mac & Cheese is baffling to me. It was a flavorless watered down cold mess. It didn't taste like it had cheese. The Cole slaw.... The worst I've ever experienced. The food that everyone at our table had was bland flavorless to just bad tasting. But like I said, I'm not sure if it's a regional thing that this area doesn't use seasoning in the food because I didn't experience anywhere in this area where the food was very tasty. But, let's end on a positive note. The people I experienced in this area were absolutely friendly and a wonderful community of fine people. They truly make the area a beautiful experience. Nothing at all like I was expecting to fine. This area is truly a little piece of heaven and I can't wait to visit again read more

The Inn seemed ok until the person that runs the place just randomly walks in your room without knocking. This person checked me in, then came in the room and said they didn't know someone was in the room!? Be sure to bolt lock your hotel room. I've never experienced this unsettling feeling staying at any hotel in my 45 years of life. The owner should feel shame. read more

Private sole hotel brand. I arrived in for an early check in and I found that this hotel was located in a residential part of the city. There are not too many restaurants, if any, lots of houses, a church, etc. The entrance is only on one side. If one were to drive in according to the "Maps" app, it will take you to the one road (this is the only road to access Benham). Trust me, I tried the road next to it thinking that was a way to the back parking lot and I was already on someone's property (thinking I was going to get threatened or shot) Anyway, the entrance on the one road that the "MAPS" app leaves you on is on the left and there are four spots for registration only parking. The rest are behind the hotel, which one will have to take what looks like an impassable entrance to get there. This needs to be fixed because it is a liability on the hotel if a customer scratches their car against the wall, on the turn. Issues with room: Some other things I noticed were that the door to the hotel room reflexes to closed, which means you need to push it a bit more than a usual hotel door and while carrying luggage in, it could become an issue. There were a lack of outlets I found in the room. The outlets I did find were in inconvenient places like near the t.v., at ground level and near the sink. One will not be able to work on their laptop in this kind of setup. There is no elevator in this place. One will have to carry their luggage up the stairs. The walls are paper thin. I could hear a gal and guy next door to my room. I could not hear what they were actual saying, BUT could here them speaking something. From the atmosphere, I love the couches in the hallway. I had a chance to sit in one of the comfy chairs. Overall, the concept of a schoolhouse is great, but it needs to be more modernized in terms of hotel standards (elevator, widened entrance to the back parking lot.) Requested items: If you need an iron and iron board, you will have to request this at the registration desk (on your left when you enter this hotel). If you want to inquire about complimentary snacks, you will have to request this. They do have free snacks and so one can skip the vending machines. I ended up spending a $1 because I thought that was all they had. They also have a carbonated beverage vending machine as well (all I survived on while here was Great Value Glacier Ranch chips, Yoplait yogurt, water, and trail mix for dinner. In the morning, I ate Cinnamon Toast Crunch in an out of a to go container and a honeybun.) Edit: I checked on my cell phone and yes, there are literally no restaurants close to this place (everything is actually in the neighboring city of Cumberland, KY). Bathroom standards: Good ply toilet paper. Thick. Soft, fluffy towels. But bathroom fan is loud and makes grinding noises (room 1942). Suggestions: This hotel could use a business center for guests. And a fun comment...... This hotel is interesting, an old school house turn hotel. I am not sure why they do not have THOSE kind of conventions held here. You know those...non-vanilla relationship ones....SCHOOL HOUSE. ;) read more

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I really didn't know what to expect when booking this Inn. This was really the only hotel to stay in the immediate area. My Aunts and Uncles recommended it to us. My Dad was raised in the area and wanted to take my sister, neice and I to visit. We stayed for 2 nights. I really wanted to give BSI a 5 star rating since this was the actual school my Grandmother attended. I was born in the hospital next door so there's a lot of history here. My Great Grand father and Grand father both worked in the coal mines in Lynch. The outside entrance was nicely decorated with Halloween and Fall decorations. The building appeared to be in great shape from the outside. I would agree with the other reviewers it was a little annoying that nobody was in the little check in area when we arrived. We quickly found someone because we are impatient city people :-) They did have a telephone number posted to call if you needed immediate help. The WiFi was free and didn't require a password. That helped because I had little cell service. They let us check in an hour early which was nice. There's no elevator which was mentioned to us when we booked. Also they didn't have a luggage cart to load our luggage on but the gentlemen on staff helped us carry our bags upstairs. There was also a cute little gift shop downstairs. My sister bought a few things. We booked 3 rooms and each was a little different. My parents's room was a little bigger than mine and had a small table with chairs. My room had a couch. Each room had a small refrigerator. The walls weren't very insulated so you could hear people talking and walking in the halls. Sometimes I would wake up and wonder if I was hearing ghosts walking the halls :-) We were there the weekend before Halloween. They could use some brighter lighting in the hallways. It is quite dark and does feel a little depressing. We ate dinner in the little restaurant and it was fine. I got the pork stuffed baked potato and my Mom got the potato soup. My Dad got the fried bologna sandwich. We all thought our food was good. Seems they don't really make things fresh there and mostly have pre-made frozen foods. There's only one grocery store nearby so I'm guessing fresh foods are expensive. We ate at a few other places in town and the B.S.I. was the nicest restaurant in town. I was a little surprised that the employees didn't seem to take any interest or give us any of the hospitality that you would expect from a small town Inn. It was really strange and disappointing. Also the breakfast was ok. Would be nice if they had a few fresh items. Everything was mostly packets of oatmeal ,grits , muffins etc. Maybe some fresh eggs and biscuits with gravy would be a nice touch. I'm celiac but I know my family was kinda expecting that for an Inn. I really want this place succeed. I think they could make a few adjustments and it would be really great. I guess these homey places are growing on me. I would stay here again. Our rates were $100 a night. read more

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take a drive into the hills of Kentucky and you will find an old, forgotten mining town. But the community that lives there has not forgotten it. Nestled on a terraced land is a school that has been converted into an Inn. I came upon this inn and gasped in awe at the height of the ceiling. 'My, my,' I told my husband, 'the lord is in this place.' He smiled and nodded. He understood the powerful feeling of a place steeped in history. He went on to tell me how trees talk to one another and recognize their own seedlings. It really is incredible what God has made to sustain us in life, including the coal mines of a forgotten town laced with dust and smoke. God is all about movement, change and movement of His people. Just as a tree grows and provides a home for new life to take root, Benham offers so much to so many in such a seemingly small town. This inn is a relic of the past, but it is the promise of a future. read more

Benham School House Inn - Our room and the hall - Hotels Near Me - Benham, Kentucky

This gem nestled in the hills of Harlan county will give u a historical experience and a full stomach. You may think you're crashing a wedding but you aren't, it's always beautifully decorated and the food is amazing. It's buffet style with several dessert options that are homemade. There's an adorable gift shop too. read more

Staying here for the week during a mission trip. Rooms are always nice and clean and there is a good solid wifi connection. On another note my group and I just had the Sunday lunch buffet here at the Inn. Very tasty food and fantastic atmosphere. It reminded me of a classy wedding reception. Excellent experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is around on a Sunday at lunchtime. Bring your appetite! read more

Benham School House Inn - Inside of the buffet/fancy wedding reception room - Hotels Near Me - Benham, Kentucky

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I was over there this weekend and had an opportunity to stay at the inn. Though it was hard to find a website about it, I was able to find enough about it. It was a great place in a neat, old coal mining town with a rich history. I do recommend this place to others looking for a cool place to stay. Service and prices were right on! read more

Benham School House Inn - Benham house inn - Hotels Near Me - Benham, Kentucky

I really like the idea of converting a school into an inn. They did such a great job of it. The staff was so nice. So were the rooms. I was pleasantly surprised. read more

Great place to stay when you're looking for something with much more character than a chain hotel. Hotel definitely has a cozy feel, nestled on a hillside overlooking a few main street buildings with an amazing patio to relax on. Also a great way to get to know the area and learn the local history! read more

We should of realized when we first walked in the door that it was going to be a bad weekend. We walk in to register, the registration door was locked.We had to go to the kitchen to get them to unlock the door, and to check us in. We were assigned a room on the second floor,they have no elevator, for someone with bad knees that was a big deal.We get to the top of the stairs, and we have to walk down a dimly lit hallway. Reminded me of something on a horror movie. We get to the room, and unload, then go looking for a cup of coffee.Every hotel we have ever stayed at offer free coffee in the lobby. There is no lobby or coffee. One of the workers did get us a cup of coffee from a party that was being held in the gym. My husband was allergic to something in the room, his nose got all stopped up, and he kept a headache the whole time we were there.I don't know if the building was so old that he was allergic to something, but they could definitely use a Air purifier. The room was outdated red carpet with stains,water stains on the ceiling. The bathroom was updated, but there was no hot water the first day, the second day it was only lukewarm.The tv was a really old model so dim you could hardly see it. Their idea of a continental breakfast was cereal, instant oatmeal,and grits.We checked out on Sunday Morning, again we had to go to the kitchen and the cook unlocked the registration door, and checked us out. The bottom line is this place is way understaffed, unwelcoming, and out of date. They seemed more interested in the restaurant part of the business, and the parties in the gym, instead of the hotel part.We felt like a unwanted house guest at a someone's home. Our room number was 1953. read more

A school house that has been converted to a hotel. I was at the Benham School House Inn for three days and two night as part of a convention. The building itself reminds you of what it was, a school, but it is kind of neat the way that they have done it up. It must have taken a ton of work to get plumbing into all of the rooms. But, the plumbing is really where the problem is, I was there for two nights and didn't have hot water in the shower either one. I heard the same thing from another person I know who stayed there the same weekend. The great room was a former gymnasium that was converted into a huge sitting/dining area. It was a nice space and well done, but really dark. read more

Food was great on our most recent office outing! Everyone got something different and everything was delicious!

Really nice employees; location is set in a quiet, historic town with a simple, but beautiful view. The room was nice with beautiful hardwood floors. read more

I am the pastor of the church next door to the Inn. I have had family stay there on several occasions, as well as other friends. I have heard nothing but great things from those guests. I have been in the rooms and the dining room. It is a great conversion from a school to an inn. If you are looking for someplace different to spend the night, I highly recommend it. Also you can tour the cities of Brnham, Lynch, and Cumberlad. Go into a coal mine, visit the coal museum, and check out the beauty of Kingdom Come State Park. read more

Nice place and stayed two nights and would stay again. Pam the housekeeper was really nice and she made us feel right at home. The bad was there are no luggage carts, elevators but the guy behind the counter did volunteer to help us. Will stay in 1st floor next time. Our phone did not work and the over head fan was broke. Up stairs is kinda dark but this was a good place to stay if you are in this area. The price is fair and there is a continental breakfast that no one told us about. I found it while trying to locate a microwave for my oatmeal one morning. read more

If you go, plan on taking your own hot water. I stayed one night, got all soaped up in the shower and the hot water quit. Apparently, they have two or three rooms sharing small hot water heaters and if your neighbor takes a shower first, you are SOL. They did let me use a shower in another room, but the situation was poorly managed. The next day I requested some small adjustment to my bill for the problem and was flatly and repeatedly refused. Even the worst hotel chain would have made some kind of adjustment. I am a frequent guest of three major hotel chains and any of them would have given me a free night stay for the slightest failure on their part. Also note that even though their sign says that fine dining is available, you cannot get any food except a bad breakfast selection. The local hoagie shops is your best bet for eating within fifty miles, but catch them before they pull the sidewalks in for the night, or it's another SOL for you. read more