Anyone local to Branford?

redjellybean128

Hello ladies, 

I'm new on here and offically just booked our wedding for April 2013 at the Woodwinds. For budget reasons, we decided to book a Sunday evening wedding, so the reception is over at 10pm. Since we have a number of people coming in from out of town and we are not all that familiar with Branford, I was looking for suggestions on the best hotels to possibly reserve a block of rooms at preferably with a bar or nearby a bar or restuarant for an after party. Any thoughts? 

MichelleBee773

I grew up a few towns over from Branford, so I will make a few recommendations. There is a bar not too far from Woodwinds called Humphreys. It is in a weird location (kind of an indisutrial park), but the inside is nice and has a good sized bar area if you want to after the reception. I also like quite a few of the restaurants downtown Branford, including Mangos. Their food is good and it has a fun bar area.

As for hotels, the Holiday Inn Express was built not too long ago and I have heard good things about it. I do not suggest the Days Inn. I stayed there a while back and it was horrible and dirty. There are some awesome B&Bs in the area as well. I would suggest looking into the Scranton Seahorse Inn in Madison. It is lovely! http://scrantonseahorseinn.com/

dancegurl1118

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Branford and it was awful. Uncomfortable beds, non smoking rooms reeked of smoke, and people partying all night til 6am (the time we had to get up to start getting ready for the wedding). My FI's one request was that we did not block rooms there for our wedding as he didn't want his family to experience what we did. I would look elsewhere.

Whtara10

Omni new haven hotel. It's about 20 minutes from branford but really the best hotel in the area. It does have a bar and a restaurant. They are both on the 19th floor so they have an awesome view

missmckenzie2

I grew up in Branford. I would recommend the Holiday Inn Express as well.  There is also a Days Inn, but its not quite as nice since it is older. The Omni is very nice, but if everything is going to be in Branford it is kind of out of the way. 

Nice bars near by are Margaritas (Mexican) but with a fun atmosphere. Humphreys (but when I went there the other day it said they were closed so I am not sure if that is permanent or just temporary). And Elis on the Hill and SBC, both are on Branford Hill. 

msmelissgg

I live in Branford.  The Holiday Inn is probably the best of the worse, honestly.  We're getting married here as well and are staying @ the Omni on wedding night, but the holiday inn I think is fine for guests.  On our website, I'm going to offer up info. on both, with letting people know that New Haven hotels are about 20 minutes away, so they can decide.  There's also By the Sea Inn if you want to suggest that too.

As far as restaurants, there are not too many "bars" in Branford, but the most popular on the weekends I'd say are SBC (Southport Brewing Co.), Margarita's Grill (a mexican place), Donovan's Reef.  Humphrey's is the closest to Woodwinds, as is the Chowder Pot Restaurant, which is not really too "hot" in the bar scene.

Let me know if you have any questions!  Good luck!

cdbishop

Humprehy's actually close unexpectedly a few weeks ago, so that choice is out. There are a few bars in guilford including Augers and KC's Pub.  I can't give any advice on hotels in the area though. 

Carebear62584

Thank you for this post!  We are trying to figure out the hotel situation as well.  Holiday Inn blocked 10 rooms for us, 6 are booked and the rest of the hotel is currently sold out.  I think I'm going to suggest Baymont as the 2nd choice.  According to Woodwinds, they are a preferred vendor and offer room blocks.

redjellybean128

Thank you all for the suggestions! Lots to think about!

jessielc83

Hi i am also a woodwinds bride!!! Baymont inn & suites and if you mention code WW2012 you get a discount!! Best of luck!!!

aiksnoras

Also a woodwinds bride!!  I've been looking into the Baymont for a block... i plan on going on a tour soon...

Katemca

Hi, Im booked at Woodwinds in November 2012, We ran into the same thing with the hotel thing...we ended up booking in New Haven at the Omni because they have an awesome bar on their top floor that is a little more private. We have family that live in Branford and gave us terrible reviews on most of the hotels, especially the days inn. We will be blocking rooms at the Holiday Inn Express as our secondary hotel for a cheaper price and only shuttling to the Omni.