need your opinions...I'm trying to decided between the two. Both are beautiful and elegant, both have good food (I'm assuming and going on reviews)
for the GCH I got the BM down to 174 pp (including the tax and tip) for a Jan 10 wedding in the Societe room. With the full menu, nothing taken off. Also he is giving us the pent house suite for the night of the wedding. (a friend of a friend has a hook up at the GCH)
as for for the Royalton, i got a quote for a December 09 wedding for 172 pp (including tax & tip) I haven't been to see the Royalton yet but my best friend is getting married there in March and she absolutely loves it...we have the same taste. I have an appt to see it on Sunday. Plus, i've seen the pics and read only good reviews.
My FH LOVES the Garden City Hotel and just wants to book it now and he doesn't want to go see the Royalton on sunday but I'm torn b/c I feel like I would be getting more 'stuff' at the Royalton (but I don't know yet b/c I haven't seen the menu yet) than the GCH but its the GCH (!!!) and I feel like the BM is really giving us a good price and we shouldn't pass it up.
edit-What we would be getting at GCH is 8 passed hor dourves (hot or cold mix), 1 or 2 pastas station- I can't remember, 2 meat carving stations, 2 hot chafing dishes....thats it for cocktail hour dinner would be salad/app combo, choice of two entrees for dinner, dessert and the cake. *I feel like thats not enough food, what do you think?
Thoughts? Opinions? Advice?
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by KerriJohnS
Hi! You really should just go to the Royalton to see it. The menu is COMPLETELY customized. When i went they gave me sample menus... you can literally have anything you wanted. My contract is for 12 to 18 different passed or derves (Im not even going to try to spell that). and multiple stations.... along with customized drinks, an ice luge, and you have a choice of 3 or 4 entrees. Also, the viennese hour was included. That's all I can think of at the moment. I don't have the sample menus or my contract on me right now... but i will totally take a look at it and get back to you. The wedding cake is included in the price also.... and ive seen pics of their cakes... they are really nice and i hear the baker really works with you on it too. Another good thing... the tips were included ... so that's one less thing to worry about on the big day! I found the Royalton to be very classy yet cozy even for a big wedding. I REALLY shopped around at different RH's and NOTHING compared to the royalton. You guys should go see it then decide. I've never been to the GCH... so I don't know too much about it. It's on my hotel list though! The only thing that you should be aware of is the royalton has you sign a contract that also states you use one of 2 florists... stefans or spitz and peck. Both are a little on the pricy side. I hear you can buy out of that option though and book your own florist. In a way though... it made my florist hunting very simple... and it was nice that they knew the royalton inside and out. They knew where every single table or surface area was... and what needed to go where.
thank you so much for this information, I'm actually going to print it out and show it to my FH. my question is so its the pp price PLUS the 20% and 8 sales% or just the pp plus 20%
I'm really confused about how tax and tip work in general. When you say tip is included does that mean the maitre d and bridal attendant??
the price I got over the phone was 135 pp on a fri dec and 120 pp jan 2010 so I'm trying to figure what that would be total with the percentages added.
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by elysemichelle
Yes the pricing is actually exactly just about the same! i was surprised myself when i went in there. They told me they cut their prices cuz they know people are struggling, but are still offering the same things which i was thrilled about!!!! Def call and make an apt!! I highly recommend Cynthia, shes my sales rep there :)
how is the bridal suite? (I need them to be really nice b/c i am getting ready there and taking my pics there)
also do they have elevators?
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by KerriJohnS
For me... the royalton didn't charge extra for the things most other RH's charge extra for.
There's magazines on RH's and it really lists all details, including pics, prices, sample menu, etc. That's what I used to figure out where to look.
I wish I had that magazine 3 months ago it would have saved me A LOT of time and aggravation!!
Kristina2009
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
thank you so much for this information, I'm actually going to print it out and show it to my FH. my question is so its the pp price PLUS the 20% and 8 sales% or just the pp plus 20%
I'm really confused about how tax and tip work in general. When you say tip is included does that mean the maitre d and bridal attendant??
the price I got over the phone was 135 pp on a fri dec and 120 pp jan 2010 so I'm trying to figure what that would be total with the percentages added.
135 pp = $176 after everything 120 pp = $156 after everything
geegee827
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by KerriJohnS
For me... the royalton didn't charge extra for the things most other RH's charge extra for.
There's magazines on RH's and it really lists all details, including pics, prices, sample menu, etc. That's what I used to figure out where to look.
I wish I had that magazine 3 months ago it would have saved me A LOT of time and aggravation!!
Here's one of the magazine's links - it doesn't list every catering hall, but it has quite a few of them: wedding sites and services
Hope this helps
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by geegee827
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by KerriJohnS
For me... the royalton didn't charge extra for the things most other RH's charge extra for.
There's magazines on RH's and it really lists all details, including pics, prices, sample menu, etc. That's what I used to figure out where to look.
I wish I had that magazine 3 months ago it would have saved me A LOT of time and aggravation!!
Here's one of the magazine's links - it doesn't list every catering hall, but it has quite a few of them: wedding sites and services
Hope this helps
this is great, thank you!!
dutchessev
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
I think you shoud go view the Royalton hotel and see which one you like better. Also see if you can go to a food tasting. That might help you make a choice.
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by dutchessev
I think you shoud go view the Royalton hotel and see which one you like better. Also see if you can go to a food tasting. That might help you make a choice.
they will let me do a tasting before I book??
Almostawife
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Check out the Royalton. I checked out so many places. When I pulled up at the Royalton we were like, it's a little old looking but we have an appointment so lets go in. I was in love with the ballroom, no carpet beautiful hardwood floors ivory walls, etc. No murals on wall, no carpet. It was not a catering hall or banquet room.
There is no set menu like most other places you pick everything you want. Our contract is for 10-15 passed hd's, 5 Captain stations (3-5 dishes per station), top shelf liquor, we added a sushi bar and shrimp bar, choice of 4 entrees, vienesse table set up in separate room, not to interfere with party and dancing. Cake (they said they can copy any pic you see), personalized napkins, champagne and light hd's before ceremony, drink line going into cocktail hour and your invitation time is 1/2 before ceremony so people don't have to be rushed into ceremony. I also have the Royalton for the entire day and night so I can start getting ready at 9 am if I choose for a 5:00 wedding and we will be spending the night instead of getting a hotel room.
The bridal suite has a fireplace, king size bed, flat screen TV, you can spend the night there if you choose as part of wedding and a butler will stay on staff and serve you breakfast in the morning. Parents have their own suite (no bed) with private bathroom and grooms suite has card table and flat screen TV as well. Picture being in a huge house and having it all to yourself.
Plus it has a real bar that can fit 40 deep.
IrishBrideASmiling
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Aww its my busy little planner!!
Sorry I have not been to either place, but drag Kevin over to the Royalton. That should make your decision easier. Alot of times things looked good online, but once you get there, it looks completely different. My parents went to a wedding last year at the Royalton and they loved it! They wanted me to go look there, but their friends kid got married there and I am a brat and didnt want the same as someone else.
I do not want to make your decision harder, but did you consider the Carltun in East Meadow (Eisenhower Park)??
Almostawife
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
definitely go to the Royalton..the website doesn't do it justice
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by IrishBrideASmiling
Aww its my busy little planner!!
Sorry I have not been to either place, but drag Kevin over to the Royalton. That should make your decision easier. Alot of times things looked good online, but once you get there, it looks completely different. My parents went to a wedding last year at the Royalton and they loved it! They wanted me to go look there, but their friends kid got married there and I am a brat and didnt want the same as someone else.
I do not want to make your decision harder, but did you consider the Carltun in East Meadow (Eisenhower Park)??
yeah, if these two dont work out I might go see the Carltun...but I want a place I can stay at that night as well and I can do that at the GCH and Royalton.
IrishBrideASmiling
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by IrishBrideASmiling
Aww its my busy little planner!!
Sorry I have not been to either place, but drag Kevin over to the Royalton. That should make your decision easier. Alot of times things looked good online, but once you get there, it looks completely different. My parents went to a wedding last year at the Royalton and they loved it! They wanted me to go look there, but their friends kid got married there and I am a brat and didnt want the same as someone else.
I do not want to make your decision harder, but did you consider the Carltun in East Meadow (Eisenhower Park)??
yeah, if these two dont work out I might go see the Carltun...but I want a place I can stay at that night as well and I can do that at the GCH and Royalton.
Oh I gotcha! Well good luck and if Kevin wont go with you to see the Royalton, I will go with you!
KerriJohnS
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Yes.. you can do a tasting before you book. I didn't know you could do that.. but I saw some people saying they did their tasting before they booked the royalton. So now I know.
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by KerriJohnS
Yes.. you can do a tasting before you book. I didn't know you could do that.. but I saw some people saying they did their tasting before they booked the royalton. So now I know.
have you done your tasting yet?
Soon_to_be_Stanek
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by KerriJohnS
Yes.. you can do a tasting before you book. I didn't know you could do that.. but I saw some people saying they did their tasting before they booked the royalton. So now I know.
also if you want to respond to someone on here just hit QUOTE instead of REPLY. I know you were wondering about that
KerriJohnS
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by KerriJohnS
Yes.. you can do a tasting before you book. I didn't know you could do that.. but I saw some people saying they did their tasting before they booked the royalton. So now I know.
have you done your tasting yet?
Yay! I think i did it right! We will see!
No I haven't done the tasting yet. I think I will wait a while.. i am a really picky eater and I know the food is super important but I was looking more for the atmosphere than anything else. I think.. my florist - Spitz and Peck - is doing the sample CP on the same day as my tasting... so i will do that all at once.. then i will really get a feel for what it's all like together. I'm pretty sure that's what he said. Bobby from Spitz and Peck knows Gerard from the royalton and it seems they work together like that very well.
mmm117
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Hi! I'm another future Royalton bride so obviously I love it. I was in a similar situation as you are. I was choosing b/w the Royalton and a discounted rate at Caryle on the Green through a family friend. It was a tough call. The Caryle, like GCH, has more name recognition and is probably more 'impressive' to guests. But the Royalton provided so much more for our money. Ultimately what we loved about the Royalton was how customized your wedding is and how intimate the space is. Gerard and Mike at the Royalton are really warm and just give you the feeling that they'll do whatever they can to make you happy.
The Caryle, Royalton, the Carlton and GCH are all beautiful - the classiest and nicest venues in Nassau. You can't go wrong. But definitely check out the Royalton for yourself before deciding. I think you'll really like it. Good luck!!!
Abby2678
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by KerriJohnS
Yes.. you can do a tasting before you book. I didn't know you could do that.. but I saw some people saying they did their tasting before they booked the royalton. So now I know.
have you done your tasting yet?
I am getting married at the royalton in 10 days and I will tell you that the food is AMAZING!!!!! Our tasting was one of the best meals I have ever eaten!!! FM me for details!! I chose the royalton bc noone else has ever been there and it is extremely simple and clean.
galgirl
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Re: Royalton vs. Garden City Hotel
Posted by Soon_to_be_Stanek
Posted by elysemichelle
Yes the pricing is actually exactly just about the same! i was surprised myself when i went in there. They told me they cut their prices cuz they know people are struggling, but are still offering the same things which i was thrilled about!!!! Def call and make an apt!! I highly recommend Cynthia, shes my sales rep there :)
how is the bridal suite? (I need them to be really nice b/c i am getting ready there and taking my pics there)
also do they have elevators?
not sure if you have seen the royalton's bridal suite but it is amazing and they offer to let you stay there the night of the wedding, with butler service...all included. It's such a great place!
