Wilshire Grand

lcrowley99

Thoughts on the Wilshire Grand hotel in West Orange for a reception site for about 230-250 guests?   pros?  cons?   THANKS

RainLaurel

It is over-priced for what they offer you in my opinion.  Also, unlike in other places, there is a mandatory 6% tip for the maitre'd.  I wasn't very impressed.  I didn't really like their outdoor area, but they did have a beautiful ballroom.  Where else have you looked? 

lcrowley99

yesterday i saw grand summit hotel, wilshire grand, il tulipiano, mayfair farms.... i have also been to olde mill inn and brooklake country club.  wanted a venue with the hotel on-site for guests, but can't find anything great.  any opinions on the others?

RainLaurel

I have heard good things about il tupilano and olde mill inn, but never visited.  I thought that Mayfair Farms smelled bad.  They had stuff burning when I was there to try to cover up some odor, but it didn't work.  Brooklake Country Club was over-priced, but really nice in my opinion.  My FI didn't like Brooklake Country Club though because he didn't get a good feeling from the management there.  We are getting married at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ and have around the same number of guests as you.  We are having a wonderful experience so far! 

gibribuz

Have you considered The Manor in West Orange?  They do not have a hotel on site but there is one right next door and the parking lots are connected.  The only downside is that you must book 80% of the rooms that you block. 

Our reception is at The Manor.

lcrowley99

That's funny----I also thought Mayfair Farms smelled funny!  It's the first thing I noticed when I walked in.   I will check out the Crystal Plaza, thanks:)

How many people does The Manor hold?

Olde Mill Inn is nice---We are worried about the size of the room.  Not sure they can really hold when they say.  Has anyone had over 200-220 in the ballroom there?

gibribuz

Nevermind about The Manor... their max is 200. 

Just thought I would throw it in there.... I also noticed a funny smell at Mayfair Farms.  Same thing about the ballroom in The Grain House at Olde Mill Inn.

Lolyalyssa

Olde Mill Inn has really BAD food in my opinion.  Go to at tasting the first Tues of the month before you book with them. 

I like the idea about the Manor.  They can EASILY work with you and the hotel is owned by them (they also own Pleastandale and Highlawn).  The hotel is attached to the same parking lot as the Manor. 

Wilshire Grand seems really "standard" and "boring" to me.  Your food would be much better at the Manor and they could handle your numbers.

I was stuck on the idea of my hotel being on site too but a lot of places will do a free shuttle with your hotel so don't exclude a place with better food because you are afraid of people riding a shuttle.  A lot of people will rent cars anyway if your ceremony is off site.  If you are doing an on site ceremony I love the Manor outside.

melissa82

Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany? It's the castle one.

I visited Mayfair Farms two years ago and my mom and I both thought it smelled so musty and gross! I came on here and said that and pretty much everyone disagreed.

carlaspeed

Check out the Atrium http://www.atriumcaterers.com , there are several hotels in the area that shuttle your guests for free, there is the Courtyard Hotel - West Orange close by and the manor's hotel is also really close by. I live in West Orange so I know the area pretty well. We are getting married at the Atrium, ask for Bill, good luck!

SCGee

I was looking also for a reception site with hotel also, and ended up booking at the Olde Mill Inn. I tasted all the food prior to booking, and it was all delicious, they have a new chef, he has been there for 2 years now, so some people may be commenting on the food when the old chef was there.  They do so many weddings there a year, they have to be doing something right, so we are very excited.  We also considered The Grand Summit Hotel, but it had no outside area, so we moved on.  I know the Olde Mill Inn books events when the bride guarantees 200 people, so they can fit that many in their ballroom, not sure what it is maxed out at.  We also looked at The Madison, Dolce in Basking Ridge, went in Wilshire Grand but was nothing special to us, Bridgewater Marriot-same thing as Wil Grand, The Somerset Hills hotel, same thing again..

hope that helps!

LaurenandTony24

I went to a wedding a few months ago at The Wilshire Grand.  It is very beautiful and looks very new.  Unfortunately, the food was not good.  They even ran out of my favorite alcohol a few hours in. 

[Deleted User]

Check out the crystal plaza!