North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Hey all!

I figured that I’d share my impressions of Chateau La Mer and North Ritz Club with you since it might come in handy to the ‘09ers who are searching.

**Warning** Though I started writing this with the intention of keeping it simple, I got a bit carried away so it’s kinda long! I couldn’t help it … but I hope it’ll be helpful to someone!

I was SO excited to get a break from school to take a look at some halls with Mom and Dad (while FH is away). We had a great time!

So the plan, originally, was to visit NRC, CLM, WM and JT, but by the time we got to WM and drove into their lot (loved the peacocks), it was super crowded. So we decided to head home… assuming that we wouldn’t have been able to see the rooms since their evening weddings were starting and it’d be awkward touring amidst the affairs anyway.

North Ritz Club

I LOVED this place! Amazing!

We met with Ida and she was the sweetest! She took her time giving us the tour and though there was a wedding going on, she handled everything incredibly well and we got to see all of the rooms (except the indoor ceremony area-which I don’t think I’ll need).

I must say, I was impressed. Here are some things that stood out:
-1 wedding at a time and the place has such a warm and welcoming feel!
-Elegance
-Renovations- everything looked new! The chairs definitely don’t need covers.
-Great outdoor area with pond, waterfall, and gazebo.

My Godson making silly faces!

The pond next to the ceremony area.

-Lots of photo ops.
-Incredible options! Variety of choices for everything from the food to the linens. They have everything!
-Great cocktail hour options. Outdoor with outside bar and nice room indoors. Also, they have electricity outside so frozen drinks, etc. can be prepared there as well

Part of the indoor cocktail hour room

-Super clean and large bathrooms (according to my parents).
-Bridal suite- It was a suite indeed! It was spacey, clean, and I think I even saw trays of food in there from the CH.
-Food- We passed through the indoor cocktail hour room after the guests all headed to the reception and there was food EVERYWHERE! They had a Mediterranean station set up as well and my mouth was watering! Ida even offered my Godson (he came along too) a seafood crepe! Too bad he didn’t know what it was so he ate a breadstick instead!
-No cake cutting fee if outside baker is used.
-4 bartenders and 1 waiter per table.
-Perfect dance floor (800 sq ft granite)

-Loved the vaulted ceiling above the dance floor!
-Lastly, great prices for what they offer:
Friday evening (summer of ‘09): $105pp;
Sat evening (summer of ‘09): $140pp
Summer afternoon: $85pp
Off season: Sat evening ’09 $95pp
Kids and vendors are ½ price.
House vendors eat free.
Full Viennese: $10pp; Touch of Viennese: $5pp
Chocolate Fountain ($600 for 2)
-Again, Ida. She really took her time, went through ALL of the details and made us feel so at home! When we went outside, she even offered to take pics of us! Such a nice lady and that made such an impression. We were there for about an hour ?

More NRC pictures:
Place card Table

Stairway

Dais



What didn’t I love?
-Tasting is after booking- but I have no doubt that the food is superb. It looked and smelled SO good and I’ve read great reviews.
-Maitre’D fee: $3-5pp! That’d be $675-1125 for us… but I guess it’s no huge deal.

Chateau La Mer

I’d been dreaming about this place since I was first engaged and fell in love with it even more when FH and I drove up there to the dock this summer and sat outside by the water! SO of course I was super excited to FINALLY get a tour!

When we got there it was so cool to see the bride and groom getting on the yacht for their arrival! The guests were all outside (braving the chilly October winds) cheering and waving when they arrived and it looked like so much fun!

We met with Lou. I was hoping we’d get Nick since I’d heard so many raves about him but anyway… Lou was cool. Cool but definitely not as warm and hospitable as Ida. We got turned around and were a few minutes late so I guess we might have messed up his schedule. We spoke for about 25-30 minutes and most of my questions were answered.

Here are some things that I loved:
-Amazing view of the water! Lovely!


-Yacht arrival (weather permitting)- no extra charge.
-Food smelled and looked great!
-Large room on the main level with a wall of windows!

-Outdoor cocktail area with spacey indoor room to accommodate up to 200 seated.
-Great photo ops.
-Brand sparkling new indoor chapel (below lobby but has windows)

-In house vendors are free. Outside vendors 1/2 price.
-Kids 6-10 half price and free under 6 (Limited to 10 kids free)
-Good prices:
Friday evening (summer of ’09): $95pp
Saturday evening (summer of ’09): $120pp
Friday evening off peak: $85pp
Saturday evening off peak: $100pp
Saturday afternoon, off peak: $77.50pp
Maitre’D fee: only $300
Lastly, chocolate fountain ($750 for 3)
…and they offer tastings before booking.

Dais


Some things that I didn’t love:
-The dance floor in the larger room was small (26x27) and a bit worn (wooden).
-The chairs might need covers... but hopefully they’d have new ones by ’09! I didn’t get a chance to ask about renovations.
-The bridal suite is rather small. Nice bathroom in there though.
-They only offer one color for the linens. The white looked good though.
-Only 2 bartenders! I guess we’d have to pay extra for more.
-Full Viennese hour is $15pp! But I’ve heard that it’s worth it!
-Mom, Dad and I agreed that we didn’t feel as welcomed and comfortable at CLM. I just didn’t get that “feeling”
I’m hoping that I’ll get a better impression when I return with FH.

Okay again, I hope the quotes and info will be helpful to those of you who are still searching. I went with a list of about 50 questions so feel free to FM me if you want MORE info?. Good luck ladies!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

PLease go back and see Nick!!!!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

wow, really great reviews, thanks. Good luck!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Nice pics, I am shocked about the warm fuzzy feeling not being there. You know maybe its not the spot for you. I have to say EVERYONE i met there was great to my FH and I and its hard for us to get a nice feeling from everyone. I have only two piercings on my face when I got to these things (take out the rest) tom has full tatts and he tries to wear long sleeves but even then we get treated a little bad at time but at CLM they WERE GREAT!! We are completely booking there when we have all the cash together for the 5k

BUT great review and FAIR, its how you felt which is great to be honest. Good luck!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Wow JP first of all great review. I can only imagine what your BRIDE'S Review will look like in 09'


I am surpised about not feeling warm and fuzzy at CLM. I loved LOU and he was the reason that I almost booked CLM. However you have to go with your gut and do what makes you feel most comfortable. Keep me posted.


PJ

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

I agree with Jess5790 to go back to meet with Nick. The food is fantastic at the CLM. My fi and I fell in love with them but they are so far away.

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

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Posted by PoeticJustice

Wow JP first of all great review. I can only imagine what your BRIDE'S Review will look like in 09'

PJ

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And yes girls, I am definitely going back to CLM with FH next month to meet with Nick. I hope I don't hurt Lou's feelings though! He was cool and even gave my Godson lots of candy before we left ... but yea... I just didn't get that 'feeling'

CLM is still up there on my list though! I can't wait to go back and to do a tasting!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

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Posted by nifheim

...but at CLM they WERE GREAT!! We are completely booking there when we have all the cash together for the 5k

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That's great that you found the perfect place for you and your FH! It must be exciting to have selected your hall! I can't wait!

I know you'll have a beautiful wedding there!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Great review Jeanine! Thanks for the info. I love the pics of the North Ritz Club, it beautiful. I guess I'm pretty much done after looking at about 15 places so I hand the task of reviewing to you....

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

That's great Maureen! Did you decide on LM?

Well whatever you chose, congratulations! I guess I'm the only '09er who hasn't chosen a hall yet lol.

Yes, you'll be seeing plenty more 'reviews' from me! I can't wait to be back in NY again!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Well, we haven't decided on it officially. We both love it but as you know we're really debating over the distance our guests will have to travel. I just want to go and talk to Harry again. If he can come back with a bit of a lower price then we'll probably book for sure. Otherwise, our other options at this point are Westbury Manor or Leonard's. The Metropolitan was really nice as well. Some other low cost options are also Coral House and Milleridge Inn. It's just so many options and I feel like if we sign a contract something better will come along and then I'll be really upset. What halls have you looked at already Jeanine? I've been to about 15 already. I'm kinda tired of looking. Also the more I look the longer my list of possible places gets. It would be so easy if only one hall I looked at was great and all the rest were crap. Then it would be an easy choice.

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

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Posted by MaureenM618
What halls have you looked at already Jeanine? I've been to about 15 already. I'm kinda tired of looking. Also the more I look the longer my list of possible places gets. It would be so easy if only one hall I looked at was great and all the rest were crap. Then it would be an easy choice.

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15 already! That's great though! You're determined to find your hall, and you WILL! I'm sure LM would be willing to negotiate a little with you! I really feel that your guests will be more than willing to travel the 40-60 mins. You should do it if you love it! If it were 90 mins.. then that'd be another story lol.

Good luck again

I've only visited the North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer . It's tough since, as you know, I'm away in PA for college. FH is in Finland right now training for a job he got in Maryland bittesweet I tell ya! I'm so happy but I miss him so much!... Anywhoo hopefully, we'll check out a few more in November when we're both in NY for Thanksgiving!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Since you met with Lou, did he give you a date for the food taste. they make the appt right after the tour

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Not a specific date. I believe he said that the tastings are offered on Wed nights around 7-730pm so we could come anytime.

I'll surely be going with Cedric sometime late in November.

So do you girls really think that I should schedule an appointment with Nick? I'd really feel bad lol I'm such a punk. I liked Lou but just didn't connect with him that way... I don't know what to do!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

I feel that if you really like CLM you re-schedule with Nick. Are you planning on telling Nick that it didn't work out with Lou? It really shouldn't matter. You have to remember that this is 'your money' that you are spending and you want to receive a certain level of quality service. Don't worry about what they think. This is business.

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Thanks a lot Angela! That really helps! You're so right... it IS business.

What I'll do is visit all of the other halls from our list of favorites and THEN if we still haven't found 'the one' we can make an appt to see Nick. I think FH will love CLM... he already does

Thanks again!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

When the FH and I went to CLM, we didn't get that welcomed feeling either. We kind of felt weird there. It's gorgeous. And the room upstairs is getting brand new carpeting. That's the smaller room. I don't know. It looked like what I wanted, but I just didn't get a good happy feeling.

Great reviews though!! :) :)

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

So it wasn't just me

But yea, the place is def gorgeous!

Chand, has anyone ever told you that you resemble Fefe Dobson??!!

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

Wow - Great review...thank you. I'm probably going to start looking at halls after the holidays. Do most places want around a $1500 deposit?

Re: North Ritz Club and Chateau La Mer- Long Review

When you go back to CLM with FH, ask to see Nick. He was amazing. They ask for a $1000 deposit. 3 months later you need to pay another $1000 and every other month there after until you reach a $5000 deposit.