Help! Westin, The W, Liberty House, Hyatt, or Chart House

akcrrr · September 2010

I can really use the collective advice of this board.
My fiance and I are looking into locations with a NYC view and have checked out the Chart House, Westin Jersey City, and the W and have appointments to see Liberty House and the Hyatt.

We both LOVE the Westin (but no NYC view)
Liberty House and Chart House are a bit less expensive, but don't come with any free hotel nights or rewards points.

Has anyone had a wedding or been to a wedding at any of these locations?
Any suggestions?

Do you think the food/name will be more important than the view?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

K&J64 · September 2010

The Chart house has phenominal food. I've heard really good things about the Hyatt in JC, it's probably going to be in the high end of these places though. I think the food/music is more important than the name, but the view can make up for the food if it's not as good too. I

mbcdefg · September 2010

I've heard good things about the Hyatt and Chart House, and not-so-good things about Liberty House. But I've never been to a wedding at any of these places.

We wanted to book Liberty Science Center for our reception (I know at least one room has a skyline view) but it was way out of our price range ... something like $10K just to rent the space, and then about $200 per plate on top of that.

Iv'e heard good things about The Point Restaurant in Jersey City (it's behind the Caven Point sports complex) but that's for weddings of under a hundred people. Not sure how many guests you'd need to accommodate.

I remember a place in Brooklyn (Bubby's, maybe?) being recommended, if you're not dead-set on New Jersey.

As a guest, I'd much rather have good food than attend a wedding at a well-known place. Plus, I imagine that a lot of your guests (unless they've lived here all their lives or have planned their own weddings recently) won't really know what constitutes a "hot wedding venue," know what I mean?

smw42 · September 2010

If you aren't set on NJ and just want a skyline view, we went here for an (over the top) engagement party and really loved it.

http://watersedgenyc.com/

kasabby · September 2010

I have been to a wedding at the Chart House and it was beautiful! My cousin got married there! The view was great and the food was great.

I would be more concerned about the food though. The view is nice as well but I would bet that guests coming would see the view, love it, and then assume the food would be good based on the view and decor. To get a place with the view and then have the food suck would be a let down for me.

mrs.spunky1508 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westin-w-liberty-house-hyatt-chart-house?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:4495f9f1-8a0c-4d64-bdea-b1ffc183ad04Post:842fef17-ff62-4c78-8530-878229dd0e7f">Re: Help! Westin, The W, Liberty House, Hyatt, or Chart House</a>:
[QUOTE]I have been to a wedding at the Chart House and it was beautiful! My cousin got married there! The view was great and the food was great. I would be more concerned about the food though. The view is nice as well but I would bet that guests coming would see the view, love it, and then assume the food would be good based on the view and decor. <strong>To get a place with the view and then have the food suck would be a let down for me.</strong>
Posted by kasabby[/QUOTE]
How anyone would not pick the food and drink as #1 priority is beyond my comprehension.

leah2b · September 2010

There is also a place right on the water in downtown Jersey City (Pavonia Newport) with a view of New York called Michael Anthony's. Its fairly new - opened 2 summers ago. They have a large banquet room, though I do not know anyone that has had a wedding there. I've been there to eat and always had a nice time. Might be worth checking out though.

vjt730 · September 2010

i totally agree i heard bad things about the liberty house (food and service), and the chart house has amazing food and views

akcrrr · September 2010

Thank you guys so much for the advice.

I am going to see the Hyatt next week and will be making my decision from there. It is just tough for me to understand how the W in Hoboken, The Westin in Jersey City, Waterside, and the Chart House are about the same price. If only one were a bit cheaper it would make the decision much less difficult!

AlmostLoCo · September 2010

I got married at Liberty House and had a terrific experience, they were great to work with and the food was fantastic - I'm still hearing from people about it. Granted, I'm probably biased, but I ate everything at our wedding and it was some of the best wedding food I've had.

I have a friend who got married at the Westin and although I wasn't there I have heard good things, but I know from a recently engaged friend that it's really expensive.

I recently went to a wedding at the W and the food was really really good (especially the cocktail hour food). However, the banquet room didn't have any windows and you could have been anywhere. The cocktail hour was sort of in the hallway, and even from there you didn't really get a view. The decor was very stark/modern - which I personally like, and the service was very good. But, if you're looking for a place with a view from the reception room, that's probably not it.

My top choice would have been the Hyatt, but they were way out of my price range. LH was very willing to work with me on price. In my research I found out that Chart House charges per item or something, and there is a minimum charge. Since my wedding was on the small side that wouldn't have worked for me.

TuffysMommie · September 2010

I attended a wedding at the Liberty House and enjoyed it, but I'm not sure what the price per person is and in the end if it is *really* worth it.

The cocktail hour was in an outdoor tented stone patio and the food was good, but there wasn't an abundance of crazy-cocktail hour food. This is actually "more my style" cause I hate when food is wasted or ostentatious - so no complaints on that, but again - not sure if the price equals the amount of food given. (I remember veggies, antipasto, cold cuts, crackers, cheese, a few hot stations.)

The dinner was good - don't remember it totally, but I do remember it was good. The overall look of the upstairs room for the dinner was very pretty. I liked the look and feel (more "wood" floor and molding, rather than marble and mirrors) We walked to the upper room on a weird open staircase that was kinda odd. Again - no problems, no worries, but it wasn't really an "elegant" staircase and we were all wearing high heels. (Also, are all of your guests able to walk a flight of open stairs?)

The wedding was in October, and although the view was gorgeous, I don't really remember it. There might have been a patio off of the ballroom, but not many people went out on it (or maybe there isn't one?) because it was somewhat cold.

My overall impression was that my friend had a really nice, attractive wedding there. If this venue is say, 2xs pricier than others, I'm not sure if it would be worth that. If it is the same price as all others, by all means, it's a great location.

akcrrr · September 2010

AlmostLoCo Thank you for your post. It seems as if I can not find anyone who has been at a wedding at the Westin or the W and it is good to get some first hand feedback. I just spoke with the Hyatt (after going back and forth with them via email for 2 weeks) and they are telling me that their next available date to show me the facility is in 2 weeks which kind of stinks because I am trying to make a decision as soon as possible.

I have heard great things about the Liberty House, mixed things about the Chart House ranging from AMAZING to HORRIBLE, and from just a looks point of view both the W in Hoboken and the Westin in Jersey City are beautiful.

I just don't know if I can overcome the lack of a NYC view.

akcrrr · September 2010

That seems to be the main thing I am struggling with.
Is the view worth so much extra $$.

While the Liberty House, Chart House, and Waterside have beautiful views you do not get any of the perks the Westin or the W has (free hotel rooms, comp airport shuttles, rewards points, etc).

The Hyatt seems like it may marry the two but at what cost.

Maybe I just need to take out a loan

oxox14 · September 2010

fyi there is a brand new place across from liberty house called maritime parc. might be worth checking out.

akcrrr · September 2010

I actually looked into maritime park and the view and facility were great but it was a bit out of my budget.

kalypso97 · September 2010

I would stay far far away from The Liberty House and Chart House. My sister used to work in JC and she went to functions all the time at Liberty House and always complained about the food (actually got food poisoning once). I won't go back because the service and service was awful both time we were there. The Chart House food is mediocre at best. Have you gone to dinner there? You should try it out before you book- order the filet to really get a sense of how poor the food quality is. Plus, the whole place is sinking and who knows when the EPA is going to let them reopen the full pier. You'll likely have a lovely view of the crane on your arrival.

Have you checked out Waterside (in North Bergen)? We just went there for the first time in a LONG time and it's been taken over by new owners. I have to say, the place is pretty nice now and I've heard great things about their food since the new ownership took over.

andreapnyc · September 2010

im shocked people have said bad things about the chart house - it has amazing food, i've been there and im very fussy about food.

and i heard very good things about liberty house as well but i've personally never been there.

akcrrr · September 2010

I have heard very mixed things about the Chart House people seem to love it or hate it. The view from there is pretty wonderful though.

I have decided not to see the Liberty House (I think it will just confuse my search) and am going to go with either the W in Hoboken, the Westin, or the Hyatt.

The Hyatt is a little (more than a little) that what I really wanted to spend but it does have the view I want.

The W is more "posh" than the Westin but I am having a hard time justifying the extra cost and what I will be getting for it.

DashingBride · October 2010

Hi Ladies-
I am looking at venues in NYC, although now we are thinking a skyline view might be cool. Can someone tell me the average price per head for the hyatt or chart house? if you want to pm me thats fine too. thanks so much for your help!!!!!

akcrrr · October 2010

Sorry

I just noticed this posting. Chart House will be 115-125pp Hyatt 150-200pp

Help! Westin, The W, Liberty House, Hyatt, or Chart House

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