Renaissance Waterfront Boston

CrazyMary77

So FI and I are about to sign a contract with the Renaissance Waterfront. One Knottie is now advising me against it. We've been so happy with our choice so far, and now I'm scared. Does anyone else have any reviews for this hotel?

In the meantime I started contacting other hotels just in case. But if I can get comments from other people, then I can go to our girl at the hotel and confront her with these issues. Thanks!

soxgal12

You've got PM!

megandjay

I know that the soxgal has had a better experience than me.

They had poor communication through out the wedding process. So bad in fact, that I had to hire a DOC. They treated me poorly and constantly reminded me that their primary business is with corporate clients. They do not have a 'wedding coordinator', only 'event planners' because they mostly do conventions. We had a hassle trying to block room, and the reservations line gave my guests a hard time if they wanted to book an additional night (they would not allow them to book with the block or be listed under the block).
My Dad had to physically go there and threaten to withold payment in order to get communication in the weeks leading up to the wedding. They waited until the day before to inform us that a medical resident convention was happening at the same time as our event (with more notice we would have hired our own security), and I personally witnessed medical students walk through our cocktail hour, despite many assurances this was not possible. So my guests had to share the bathroom with the convention, and therefore my bathroom baskets (which were put out about 2 hours late). We called the morning of the rehearsal to check in early and they said no problem come after 1pm, we arrived at 2:30pm and waited an hour for the room, hence making me late for my rehearsal. The photo sharing cards were never placed on the tables, and per my DOC she had to go table to table to fix things because they were sloppily put together.

Honestly, these are just a small sample of the issues that I had with them. Booking the Renaissance is the single biggest regret I had about my wedding. Seeing that you are an OOT bride like me, I strongly suggest you think twice.
Also- their open bar plans are quite expensive on top of the per person price.

Other places you might consider- the Omni Parker has a great room with view, as does the Cambridge Mariott, and the Hyatt Harborside, and the Seaport. And all of which I have heard great things about as per their customer service.

If you do go with the Renaissance, I wish you the best of luck and hope that your have a better experience than me.

megandjay

I would say the biggest issue is hard to quanitfy, it was poor communication and poor customer service. See above for some of the issues.

But it was not the issues themselves necessarily, it was how they dealt with the issues- basically that I was lucky to have my event there and I should take what I can get. Like with the room not being ready, their response was 'well we do have other guests', not 'sorry, we are working hard, our bad for the miscommunication', etc.

CrazyMary77

Did you place an official complaint to the hotel?

megandjay

No, I plan to write a long letter when I return from the honeymoon. Maybe my letter will help them to realize their issues, and make it better.

It is just that so many brides on here have had great experiences with other venues, that I just wouldn't chance it, especially as an out of town bride like us.

soon2bMrsFWed25699

First off I've never attended a wedding their as a guest. I used to work there when it first opened (I was involved in the opening). As was many of my friends. I knew all the original executive chefs including those in banquet. Marriott at this location treats their staff very very poorly and as a result has an extremely high turn over no matter if it's in the restaurant, banquets, front of the house, or maintenance. A friend of mine worked in security and knew of multiple complaints from brides who had things taken from rooms or functions. Almost all of the original staff hired when they first opened are gone. The banquet food isn't always kept to temperature and the food is also shared amongst the staff lunch room whatever is left over. So what you're paying might be feeding the entire hotel.

I have no experience as a bride, only as a former employee. I left on good terms with a good reference but I wanted you to know from the back of the house what was happening!

Which is a shame because the hotel itself is beautiful especially if they still have those cranes across from 606.

meghanlocke

Like soxgal, I also had a better experience than what you're describing in your post.  The communication between the event planners and my mom and I was just fine.  Emails were always promptly sent back in reply to our many questions leading up to the big event.  And as far as the room blocks, we had guests who were simply late in reserving rooms, and our event planner allowed them the room rate even several days/a week after the cut-off date had passed.  My husband and I had the best time throughout the wedding day/evening, and were honestly never without a drink in hand because the Renaissance employees were so attentive throughout the night.  The room looked absolutely beautiful and was everything I had expected it to be, from the linens to the way the favor statement frames (we made donations in lieu of actual favors) were placed on each table, to how the envelope mailbox was placed outside the reception.  My husband and I, my parents, and his parents, are still receiving compliments on the overall set-up of the room, and the food....I thought the food was great!  Very tasty, and the chef even came over to our table and congratulated us on our wedding.  It was unexpected and very thoughtful.  I could go on and on.

My apologies to you for the experience you've described in your post.  But I do have to say to other brides who are looking into the Renaissance and reading these posts as well, don't let other people's negative experiences discourage you from at least going to the hotel to look around and meet an event planner.  The hotel is gorgeous and different from other hotels, and the staff is just very warm from the beginning.  This was what initially drew my husband and I to the Renaissance in the first place.