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Georgia-Atlanta

Venue Question-Georgian Terrace Hotel

Hey girls! I'm a newbie to the boards and I'm looking for some advice from other local knotties:) I sent a request to the Georgian Terrace last week for more info. about having our reception at the hotel. Their website doesn't give many specifics about the facility (specifically pricing and the number of people they're able to accommodate). Anxiously awaiting a response, I started searching online for more info. about the hotel, and to my surprise I came across a few red flags. I found a number of reviews from previous guests of the hotel that seemed extremely dissatisfied with their experience. Although some people had complaints about their accommodations, most of the criticism was directed toward the staff at the hotel and a lack of customer service and professionalism that is to be expected at a place like the Georgian Terrace. In their defense, I don't believe you can please everyone, and some people are naturally more critical than others. Having said that, I was a little surprised at the number of complaints I saw (definitely more criticism than praise). So, I was hoping some of you may have personal experiences from this venue that you wouldn't mind sharing. I just want to make sure that I know exactly what I'm getting myself into before we sign on the dotted line:) Thanks in advance for helping out this newbie knottie, and for any input you're able to provide!

Re: Venue Question-Georgian Terrace Hotel

  • edited December 2011
    I don't have any experience with the Georgian Terrace, but hopefully some of the other girls on here do...
    I do think you are heading in the right direction checking out online reviews. I always google companies before I do business with them to see what info is out there and what other people think of their products/service.

    Good luck!
    ~Megan & Steve 10-10-10~ Image and video hosting by TinyPic Visit The Knot! Visit The Knot! Visit The Knot!
  • edited December 2011
    We were between the Georgian Terrace, the Palomar and the Biltmore... all three are in the same price range... we ended up with the Biltmore for the reception and the Palomar for our hotel (out of town guests, getting ready, etc)

    Here's why-- first, when we showed up at the Georgian Terrace it was our #1 choce.

    We went to eat at the resturant there (can't remember the name!) and service was HORRIBLE. We waited forever and then got the wrong food. So we thought, that's okay, maybe it was just a busy lunch.

    Then it was time for our appointment. The woman showing us around looked kind of a mess. Which is fine if you're my mechanic, nail lady, or Starbucks barrista, but we were getting ready to give this person thousands of dollars and she just looked really disorganized and flustered. First, I realize that there is a wedding reception getting ready to start right then... which meant that we couldn't actually go in the room! Why would she book our appointment for the same time as a wedding was happening?

    The whole experience kind of followed that path, and I slowly (and sadly) figured out "this place isn't going to work for us" -- I just didn't get the feeling that she cared if we had it there or not. She was just "whatever" about everything. For example, there are GIANT windows that look out onto a walkway where you can see right into the room. Me, my FI and everyone else walking by were looking directly into this reception. So I asked if those could be covered, "no" was all she said. I felt like everything I asked was just a "no".

    However, the building is AMAZING there is a rooftop pool and I would have LOVED to do it there because all of my guests could have stayed in the same place as the reception... but I just didn't trust that woman to put on the wedding of my dreams!

    My advice would be to book an appointment to see it, and decide for yourself. I've heard they have been under several different management companies. Like 4 in the last 2 years... but maybe they have their act together now.... this was last summer. When you go there you will get a either a good or bad feeling about how the place runs.

    My further advice is to look at the Biltmore... its a little more $$ but sooooo worth it. I walk into that room and just feel like it is the PERFECT place for our wedding. And the people from Novare Events (they own the ballrooms) are AWESOME, friendly, helpful and responsive.

    Hope that helps!
  • edited December 2011
    Hello --

    Even before my fiance and I got engaged, I had my heart set on the Georgian Terrace for our wedding.  This hotel is a beautiful historic Atlanta staple.  Of course, after getting engaged, this is the first place I contacted for wedding info.  I too went to their website and submitted a request for wedding package information.  After waiting a week and never receiving a response, I called the hotel and attempted to reach the wedding coordinator.  I left two messages over the course of 3 days, and no one ever called me back.  I then called and asked to speak to the wedding coordinator's assistant, who wasn't able to offer me any specific information, but said she would ask her boss to call me back that day.  I did receive a message from him later that day,  and the message said that they were booked on the date I had inquired about.  He also said in his message that  he would email me the package/pricing information.  (I had given my contact information to the assistant.)  I never received an email.  Recently, my fiance and I started thinking about changing our wedding date to a Sunday, so I once again tried to reach the wedding coordinator to see about alternative availability.  I left yet another message, and he never returned my call. 
    Can you say FRUSTRATING?? Yell  If they are so unresponsive when you are trying to give them your business, imagine how they would be after you've already signed a contract with them!

    I will say that most of the reviews you'll find online are from people who have stayed in the hotel.  It's my understanding that their event space is completely separate.  I've stayed in the hotel many times (when I was living out of state), and I've never had a problem, but the rooms were a little outdated.  I think the hotel was recently updated though.  Plus, you cannot beat the location.  Good luck trying to get some information; I hope it works out better for you then it has for me! Smile

  • CJPJ2011CJPJ2011 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hey girls! Thanks so much for the advice!! I was trying to give the Georgian Terrace the benefit of the doubt, but it sounds like booking this venue for the reception may be more of a risk than we're willing to take on our big day. Nevertheless, I'd like to go take a tour of the facility before completely ruling it out. Thanks again for taking the time to share your personal experiences! Guess it's time to give FI the bad news Undecided
  • edited December 2011
    Its really a shame because it is a BEAUTIFUL space and they could clearly do a lot of business. Report back to us about your visit... I hope you have a TOTALLY different experience!
  • jodyblairjodyblair member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My fiance proposed on the roof top of the Georgian Terrace, so it was one of the first places I contacted about having our wedding there. I sent emails and left numerous voice mails and never got a response. Extremely frustrating! If they couldn't even return a phone call, I didn't want to risk trying to plan a wedding there. We are now in the process of scheduling our engagement pictures and we wanted to get some shots done where we got engaged. It took WEEKS for our phone calls and emails to be returned. Horrible customer service!

    As someone else mentioned, check out the Biltmore. My sister got married there last March and it was absolutely gorgeous. The people at Novare events are fantastic. Our venue is actually owned by them as well, and they have been great to work with. Good luck!
  • MrsKelley2012MrsKelley2012 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi girls!  I am also going back and forth on both the Georgian Terrace and the Biltmore.  I am in love with both locations but cannot decide which one to use.  I want my wedding to be breathtaking but at the same time, I cannot ask my family to spend every penny on this.  What were some things that helped you make your decisions on your final venue???  Thanks!  
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