Douglaston Manor

Has anyone ever been a guest there? Anything positive (or negative ) to say about it? They have a really good package and I am considering them!

Hi. Well Mineola school district is OK. The elementary schools are good but the High School is tough. I havent heard great things about it. Most of my fiances family have gone to private school because of that. Herricks is a great school district along with East Williston SD. You can call the school district and they will send you a report card. You can see the grades and % that go to college. I will keep my ears and eyes open in the Mineola area for you and email you if I see anything. My FMIL still lives there so I am in Mineola alot.

Look, my history onthis board is one of being most helpful. I am not going to respond to any more of your messages.

Douglaston Manor

Ask the catering manager to see the basment or downstairs kitchen. My boyfriend was a contractor there for something once and said it is very "dirty". Also keep in mind that the property is city owned and is immune to fines!

I have benefitted from your postings time and again. I first started coming here around the time you got married. Thanks for coming and continuing to help those of us who are still single :-)...your participation is very much appreciated.

Douglaston Manor

I booked DM for my reception and ceremony. I thought the place was rather clean and the staff was great. I went there on 3 different occasions when they had bridal shows going on. I checked the kitchens and bathrooms as well as the rooms that were not being used those days. I went around the grounds and did not see any garbage on the lawn or ground even though they had an event going on. Each occasion I tasted the food and was VERY satisfied. The bar area was clean w/ all the drinks being passed around. Beware of the package. I didn't take the package because I didn't care for the Photographer, he was too busy worrying about the competions booklet I had in my hand rather that telling me what he has to offer me. That wasn't the only thing. If you need more info e-mail me I'll be happy to give you more info.

:)

I'd still like to know if anyone out there has any feedback on Spir Around? People who have already used them or been to a function? Anyone? I don't care if its not good feedback, I'd just like to know. I had a lot of feedback when I asked a few months ago, but now I realize that all the feedback came from people who hadn't used them yet. And although we feel good about our choice, I thought that maybe someone had first hand info. Thanks.

Douglaston Manor

Well, I went to a wedding there last year and I really disliked that place. The thing that I hated most was that there was another wedding reception party in the next room (which I know is very common), but you could here that music so loudly throught the "thin" partition that it actually was overpowering the music from our reception room. It really was distracting and I swore that I would never have my reception there. Just my opinion... no offense to anyone who has used or is booked with them.

email me directly and i will keep you posted.. i have my travel agent looking into this exact vacation for me. i am getting married in feb 2001 and my fi wants to go on the honey moon there. i have spoken to people who say costa rica is beautiful. so i will have some input for you.

Douglaston Manor

We looked there and considered, but the rooms didn't fit the size of our guest list too well. We thought it could have used a good coat of paint, but didn't see it as being dirty. I was concerned that the restrooms were rather small for the number of people there too. I've heard the food is very good.

We opted for Leonard's of Great Neck; you might want to look there too. It's a bit glitzier then Douglaston Manor but the per plate cost was better and the rooms fit our guest list best and having all our family and friends around was our most important consideration.

Hmmm...now I wonder if there's any chocolate in the house - LOL!

Douglaston Manor

I had the same experience with the room next door being way to close & loud. I also thought the foyer was too busy - entrance to building for all guests plus stairs up to bathrooms and bridal suites all in a very small area (Created a lot of commotion) HOWEVER...the food was delicious and the cocktail area outside was very pretty (right on the golf course) and it didnt stop us from having a good time. Please weigh your decision based on what you think is important. It varies for each of us :o) Good luck.

I highly recommend them, ask for Dawn if you go. Tell her you spoke to Debby (the girl with the "big guy").. She also mentioned that they have a bayshore store that also sells used tuxedos around 200 dollars.. depending on whats available. Either I got really lucky..or this is one of the better tuxedo places..the guys got a good price, and my Timothy looked sooo good! I'm getting excited now!!! 3 months to go!

Douglaston Manor

I have to agree with you there Elizabeth. The food was very delicious. And I did like the cocktail area as well, actually had a wonderful time during that:):):). But I tell you... that 4 hour reception was nearly ruined by what was going on..on the other side of that partition. It was "really" bad and I stress "really". You might have been lucky enough to have experienced a professional DJ in the next room that had the correct equipment, but not at the wedding I was at! Sorry but I didn't want to take the chance at my reception. But let me stress, I had one bad experience there. And I don't want to turn anyone away from looking there, that really likes it. Just sharing my experience with everyone. :) Nicolle

Just a tip: Before you go look at places, make a guest list. We planned to have a small wedding, no more than 50ppl but ended up with closer to 100 after we made a guest list.

Douglaston Manor

Hi Nicolle,

It's funny writing to someone w/ the same name especially when it's spelled exactly the same way w/ 2 "LL's".

As stated in an earlier posting i have booke DM for my wedding. I was just courious to know what room were you in. Please tell me it was one of the downstairs rooms. We have one of the smaller rooms upstairs over looking Manhattan. How was the staff w/ the guests. Were they attentative towards your needs, did they clean up promply? Did you have to wait long for the food? Were there any other negatives about the place? This would be very much helpful to me, because if there were any other problems I can talk to the BQ manager and solve these problems right now.

Douglaston Manor

Nicky- I like your attitude! Instead of getting upset or defensive about the less that positive comments posted about your hall of choice, you are looking for the solution. What a great way to be :o) I too had posted a few "dislikes" about DM but the room we were in was the one on the ground floor with the tree in it. Very pretty but there was that music from the affair next door that was mainly a nuisance when we were sitting at the table (we were close). I didnt even know they had a room upstairs. The food was delicious.I had the chicken francaise which was wonderful! The waitress service was less than stellar (waitress missed 1/2 our table for the pasta course) but I think it was partly because they tried to fit too many tables in the room. That was my experience at one wedding. I hope yours is an amazing one. Best wishes

Just wanted to ask, are you guys tipping the DJ, Photo, Video guys? I was thinking about it, and $50 isn't that much, since we pay like 1500 - 1800 for them. More than that we can't afford, to give them. We going to buy them food, which I think it's important and I wouldn't change that. Any feedback, how you going to do it is appriciated. Thanks

Douglaston Manor

Elizabeth, Thank You.

That info was very helpful. I feel much better knowing the wedding was downstairs on the other side of DM. We have the "Garden Room" upstairs which of on one end of DM and I was afraid you were in the room beneath it. As far as the staff is concerned not one person will be left out on any course of the meals. I will make sure of that!! If the BQ manager wants a hefty tip he will see that all my guest are well taken care of. I think that's what we all need to do is talk to the BQ manager and express that they need to take special care of our guest (especially older and pregnant guests)and if this warrants a problem see how it can be fixed.

Thanks again for the info!! Happy Planning

Douglaston Manor

I can't believe there is another Nicolle with two L's!!! I thought I was the only one in the whole world that had that spelling.....COOL!!

Nicolle, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the service or food! The food was very delicious so no need to worry there. The place was very clean and service was prompt and very friendly! As far as what room I was in... I can't honestly remember, but I do know that it was the room located directly across the bar area, where they had held the coctail hour. Hope I helped :):)