Stayed in Maxwell Mansion several months ago, so this review is delayed- but am still talking about &recommending this B&B to everyone looking to travel to Lake Geneva. We stayed in the Grant Suite &loved it- felt like we had our own condo. The bath included a clawfoot tub &all ingredients required for a perfect bath. There were also several fun events the night we visited including a free cocktail, holiday party, &don't forget the passage to the speakeasy! read more

We stopped in this Mansion to get a look at the inside and ask about the Speakeasy (it's every Friday night, 9pm to midnight, password required. The password is on their Facebook page or give them a call). The place is really a period piece and decorated almost like it would have been almost a century ago. The rooms look cool, the property is great and we plan to come back to the Speakeasy some Friday. The other cool bar on the first floor is open all the time, but we didn't have time to sit and enjoy a cold one. Next time. read more

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We loved our stay at the Maxwell Mansion. An incredibly charming property just down the road from everything, the Mansion is pricey but worth it. We had an awesome time at the Apothecary Bar and Speakeasy. I'm not much for cocktails, but I loved what the bartenders mixed up at the Apothecary Bar. The Speakeasy was such an incredible use of raw cellar/basement space. I'd love to go to a goth/ new wave type night there. The huge bathtub in the middle of the room got plenty of use! I'd recommend this place to couples looking to get away like we were. read more

Incredible place!! Visited the apothecary bar where the bartenders were super friendly and made great drinks. The best part is being able to walk around the house and see the different rooms. Would've loved to check out the speakeasy but we left before that opened at 9:00pm. read more

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Went on a walking ghost tour of Lake Geneva this past weekend. One of the tour stops is Maxwell mansion, which told of it's history (some of it dark) and the famous goings on and famous visitors, such as Ulysses Grant. Very beautiful architecture, and you can stay overnight, as it's been converted into a hotel. It was the final stop on our tour..... after which, the guide gave us the password to the speakeasy (located in the basement). The speakeasy, reflects the 1920s prohibition era drinking establishment. Complete with sliding bookcase and secret passages. Candle lit rooms to enjoy your beverages. I had the Viking martini which was a delicious and satisfying libation. A must see if you're in the area. read more

We enjoyed our stay immensely. The room was clean and very nicely decorated. Also, enjoyed a few drinks at the bar. Will return in the future! read more

Great place to hear live music good ambiance and service. Would return again to listen to music and enjoy some food again

Went to Lake Geneva for a Labor Day weekend getaway. I have a dog and was looking for pet friendly places to stay. I'm so glad I found this place! Maxwell Mansion is absolutely gorgeous and they even had food & water dishes, poop bags and a bone to help my pooch feel at home. The outdoor patio area was nice and they had live music on the weekends. The only negative about this place is you can hear your neighbors and the old buildings creek and squeak. We also really liked that the location is in walking distance of the lake and all the restaurants and shopping in Lake Geneva; not having to mess around with parking was so nice! I would definitely recommend Maxwell Mansion and consider staying here again if visiting Lake Geneva. read more

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We recently stayed in the Charlotte Brontë suite in the main mansion. The room was a great size, very clean and well appointed. It was very convenient to have the Apothecary right downstairs and the Speakeasy was a fun experience. Both offered great cocktails and delicious goat cheese and fig flat bread and amazing spinach artichoke dip. The staff was friendly and helpful, making our weekend getaway an amazing experience. We'll definitely return! read more

Nice place, lots of different rooms to sit in and enjoy a drink. One of the bartenders was not so great, too busy talking with some girls, I guess I was invisible. read more

This place has the potential to be so grand. What's holding it back? The customer service for sure. Before arriving I attempted to email on several occasions and never got any responses. I also called and left voicemails with no return messages. So when I arrived I was pleased a human was actually present for check-in. Although the experience level of the staff from bartenders to check-in staff all seem very primary (albeit all very nice). Knowledge of local restaurants and how to make drinks was defiantly minimal. I will say the facility itself is a 5star and I loved that it wasn't crawling with kids as it touts itself as adult only. Although that turned out to be false as I heard a screaming child next door to us at all hours. When I went to inquire about this they said there shouldn't be any children in the rooms and they were indeed adults only. When the screaming continued I went back to the lobby again and was told by another person they changed their policy on children that week and that they simply have an added fee for children (umm??? WHATTT?). There seemed to be a lot of answers like that. Or let me check with my manager and get back to you (which they never did). Anyway I had a wonderful time and as long as you don't expect a high level of service and just want a nice room in a wonderful setting this place is for you. The location was perfect 2 blocks from the lake and restaurants but that's just far enough to be off the main tourist fare. The room and amenities were great. Nice pillows, mattress, tv and shower. Be aware I did learn that this facility as well as the baker house which have the same owners are up for sale. So my belief is they are willing to adjust their policies to show a profit until a sale happens. read more

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We stayed in the Louisa May Alcott room in the main building. While quaint, I would not recommend staying in this building in the winter unless you can handle uncomfortable cold. We had the heat set to 74 and the room was still so cold that we had to sleep with hooded sweatshirts, thick pants, and socks on all night. It was too cold to shower or bathe. The bars are cool with friendly staff and the property is beautiful, but the service is absolutely lacking. I read about people learning so much about the history of the building and we did not even get a "Hi, how are you?" when we checked in. When we came back to the "adult only" hotel at night, there was a child sitting at the front desk. I would say that if you go here, you are staying for the ambiance. read more

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Motel with glitter is a SCAM! This place is a dump! The bathtub leaked, the door to our bathroom would not open or close, in order to get into the front door of the room I had to lean into it with my shoulder like a linebacker (I'm 6'3 and 200ibs), the pool was dirty and there were wasp nests around the grounds. In addition, I was charged fake fees after I left the facility and when I requested to speak to a manager with all my complaints, I was blown off and have never heard from them. Do yourself a favor and book yourself an equivalent stay at a motel 6 or holiday Inn if you want a motel like experience, otherwise pay up for a real hotel experience with so many other adequate options in the area. read more

This review is for the Apothecary Bar. We loved our experience. It is a really neat, unique atmosphere. The bartenders were very nice. We couldn't decide what to order, so one of them asked me what spirit I like best, and she knew just what I should get. I had a delicious gin drink, Strawberry Sipsmith I think. We sat outside by the fire and listened to the live music for a while. We would love to come back, maybe even stay at the mansion. It looks amazing from what I could see walking in. read more

I completely agree with Carrie W about the temps, we stayed in the Grant Suite the weekend of Feb 6, but in all fairness it was frigid at that time!! And the cold temps were only really uncomfortable in the morning on the tile floors. For a house built 150 years ago, I can't say its unexpected, but radiant flooring would be AMAZING. Anyhow, SO many good things about Maxwell. If you don't have a good time, you must not be into the quirky, outgoing, fun-loving atmosphere. The accommodations were clean and comfortable (heated toilet seat anyone?), and the service was relaxed (maybe a bit on the slow side), but completely acceptable and immensely polite. One knock, and this is just me most likely being unrealistic, but we bought into 'the Speakeasy is only for hotel guests' line. Absolutely not the case, as it was packed. BUT, we made new friends with a couple from Oak Park who were staying elsewhere and decided to check it out, so I can't even complain. Fair warning, don't expect the Speakeasy to be private. But it IS fun! We will definitely go back, hopefully when it's warm this time!! read more

Maxwell Mansion - Grant Suite - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

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Absolutely loved everything about our stay here this weekend. They have a couple pet friendly rooms - we stayed in carriage house 13. There were dog bowls, dental treats, poo bags and a stuffed piggie waiting for my pug when we arrived. Those little touches go a long way with me! The room was cozy, check in was quick and simple, friendly staff and bartender at the Apothecary bar. Walking distance to the lake and tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping in the little downtown area. Can't wait to go back! read more

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A great experience all around! The rooms are beautiful and very well kept and luxurious! The speakeasy is a great time with amazing drinks and fun! The Apothecary bar had exceptional service with very good drinks to go with it! Overall outstanding experience and would recommend to all for a weekend getaway! read more

Service wasn't great. Bartender in the house bar was a bit stand-offish; and the bartender in the speakeasy didn't know how to make cocktails on the fly (i.e. I tell you what liquor I like and savory or sweet and you make something off menu.) Room and atmosphere was cool. Bed was super comfy. read more

I didn't stay here, but did pop in for a couple drinks. There's a speakeasy downstairs which is actually really cool. Has some decks of cards, backgammon, other games. Drinks were great! read more

Had a really nice stay here. Loved the room, stable 5. Good location, slightly off the beaten track so it was quiet. We enjoyed playing gin rummy with a couple at the speakeasy. Had decent selection at the Apothecary bar. Liked sitting in the cabana at the pool. read more

Maxwell Mansion - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

LOVED this resort, super unique in that every room is kept to its original look. The bar and speakeasy is great. The steam shower in the stable rooms are AMAZING, so relaxing after a long day out. We'll definitely be staying here from now on for our future visits. Only recommendation would be to serve breakfast in the Chandelier room! read more

We had an amazing time here at the Maxwell!!!! They cater to every need, with wonderfully chosen hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, robes and coffee! We loved staying here and will most definitely be back. We chose the package that greets you with rose petals and chocolate strawberries, the most delicious I've ever had. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maxwell! My favorite part was the jetted tub in next to the bed! And a beautiful decorated room & the bathroom was exquisite. We had a beautiful honeymoon! read more

Maxwell Mansion - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Super awesome being here. We stayed at the carriage house behind the property. Got to tour the mansion and check out the speakeasy in the basement even though it wasn't open when we visited during the week. Staff is so friendly and knowledgeable about the history and property. It's obvious they enjoy working there. The apothecary bar was great! Chaz whipped us up some personal cocktails that were incredible and lit us a fire! Thank you for making our vacation so special! read more

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Rooms were booked so we just got to experience the first level, two awesome bars, and absolutely beautiful grounds... Would recommend everyone stopped here to see what 1858 had to offer and I hope to stay there next time I'm in town! Staff were amazing and perfectly located to see all that Lake Geneva has to offer. read more

Hidden away steps from downtown Lake Geneva this quant hotel is the place to stay. The stable rooms exceeded our expectations and the staff is incredible! Thank you to Kim and Claudia for an amazing stay ! read more

This place is so unique and everyone there is beyond friendly, in a good way! When looking to stay in Lake Geneva we decided to do something different instead of staying at any normal hotel. This place is BEAUTIFUL! we fell in love immediately and will for sure being staying here again. read more

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To start the staff are great and helpful. Husband and I stayed in the quaint bridal suite for one night. The one star is because we attempted to take a shower prior to leaving the next day and nothing but cold water. We let it run for 30 minutes and still no warm water. What is frustrating is the new owner doesn't allow the on site staff to make a judgment call to financially compensate by returning some money back to us. Spending $500.00 a night and no warm water for a shower is unacceptable as is being told no one at the hotel can make it right. That is not right! read more

I know this is only the 3rd review of the Maxwell Mansion but I will continue off the last review and give it a big thumbs up. My wife and I came up here for our 16th anniversary / wife's 40th birthday weekend. The Mansion truly transports you back in time. Unlike the first review we found the staff extremely helpful; especially Alisa (potential misspelling here.) She gave us a full tour of the house and explained everything in great detail. The house was built back in like 1856 so quite a bit of the house is extremely old. I think they have done a great job with restoration/renovation. Our room was very nice. My wife loved the soft bed and pillows. Our bathroom/shower was nicely decorated and full functioning. The shower was extremely nice with great water pressure. Overall we had a remarkable weekend!! We will definitely stay here again sometime in the future. read more

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My husband and I came up from Chicago to stay at the Maxwell Mansion this weekend and it was an absolute joy. We have found our permanent destination for weekend getaways! The property is situated just about a block back from the lake, which lends to the intimate and peaceful nature of the hotel. It is only a 5-minute walk to the lakefront, though, so the location really is the best of both worlds. The grounds of the mansion are impeccably cared for, and the pool/garden/patio areas are stunningly beautiful. We thoroughly enjoyed our time lounging in the covered poolside cabanas, and chatting with Abraham, the wonderful bartender, in The Apothecary Bar (which you absolutely must visit). We stayed in the carriage house, in a room with a lovely vaulted/beamed ceiling. The room opened onto a large and luxurious shared patio, where we spent hours sitting on big, comfy couches just reading and drinking wine. The mansion layout is great for relaxing quietly but it also has many areas for mingling with other guests, should you so desire. We enjoyed a wonderful late night talking and laughing in the bar, and later by the fire pit, with some other guests we met during our stay. The experience turned out to be a highlight of our trip. Everyone on staff is friendly and helpful, and we felt totally taken care of the whole time. We will surely recommend the Maxwell Mansion to all of our friends making travel plans this summer! read more

Loved pretty much everything about this place. It's nice and quiet, and really close to downtown! The grounds are so beautiful - so much to see - especially the apothecary bar and speakeasy! Everyone on staff was very friendly and accommodating. They offered us a discount for having AAA, and gave us a complimentary upgrade, due to the fact that they were hosting a wedding when we got there. The room was beautiful, we really enjoyed both the jetted and the shower. The bed was very comfortable, and the Keurig was a really big plus. The only thing I would change would be that the bathroom didn't have an actual door, just a sliding barn door (which was gorgeous). Not much privacy for "doing your business." Overall, we really enjoyed our day and would definitely return. read more

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You will not find anywhere like this! The atmosphere is incredible. from the unique decor, to the one of a kind bar and speakeasy it is SO FUN! They have a wonderful patio out back with wonderful ambiance from Edison lights and a fireplace with cozy chairs and couches spread about. They have a pool with an inviting cabana and comfortable cushions out. The rooms are one of a kind and the staff is friendly. I think the bar is my favorite spot to hangout. The drinks are wonderfully created and the bartenders know what they are doing. And if you have the chance to chat with them they will happily offer up history of the artwork and pieces in the bar area that are used for decoration including an incredible piece of angel wings hanging from the bars ceiling. If you ever have the chance to visit this gem while in Lake Geneva I highly recommend it! read more

We really enjoyed our stay at this unique and cozy antique home. The home is beautiful and very inviting! We stayed in the Grant room (which was at one time occupied by General Ulysses Grant) and the room was fantastic. The fireplace and all the woodwork is original and the room is decorated in period pieces. The young woman at the desk (Claudia) could not have been more cordial or welcoming and her presence was a big part of our enjoyable stay. Sitting by the cozy fireplace reading a book at night while the snow fell gently outside the window was truly a remarkable experience. There was considerable snow on the ground the following morning and when I came downstairs to clean off my car, what do you think I found? Claudia had shoveled a path to our car and cleaned off the windshield....you can't beat that for hospitality! Truly a wonderful experience, so much so that we have decided to make it a yearly occurrence each year. We very highly recommend this place. I rarely write reviews but I couldn't omit this place. P.S. for a great breakfast, Joni's Diner is about two blocks down the road and is a great place as well! read more

Hands down my favorite place! My boyfriend brought me here for a surprise birthday weekend last year. We stayed in the stable rooms one night and in the mansion the second night. Everything was gorgeous! There's an apothecary bar in the mansion and underneath the mansion is a speak easy. It was awesome, you have to have a password to get in and it's decorated just like an old speak easy would be. The manager was amazing! So nice, funny, and just overall a great person. We loved this place so much we've decided to make it a yearly tradition! read more

Maxwell Mansion - The stable rooms - Hotels Near Me - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

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Our first interaction with the Maxwell Mansion staff was extremely professional when we were trying to find a new wedding venue during the pandemic. Ashley was extremely flexible and worked with us making us feel that they would be able to ensure our safety for the wedding which is why we ended up choosing them, as well as the beauty and history of the mansion. Our wedding experience was amazing, to say the least. Ashley ensured that we had the tables and assistance in setting up everything for the wedding. After the wedding, she was willing to work with us to keep the bars open since our guests were having such an amazing time at the Apothecary bar and then downstairs in the SpeakEasy. We would definitely recommend if you want an intimate wedding with beautiful history to have your wedding at the Maxwell Mansion and we can't say enough about Ashley and the staff for making our wedding as amazing as we imagined. read more

My husband and I booked this trip in February in order to reserve our stay for May. We are very excited to plan this trip for our anniversary and we planned to drive 5 hours to receive the amenities listed online. We were looking forward to the Murder Mystery - we were told after booking that there would not be one the weekend we stayed. The Speakeasy- we found out that it is only open on Friday nights. So we could not participate. The Brunch- we paid for the Sunday brunch deal in advance when we booked our room. When we called to reserve a time, we were told that someone would call us. When we didn't hear anything, we called again and were told that the spots were filled. We said that we had already prepurchased our tickets with our room. They would NOT honor the tickets that THEY sold us- as the excuse was that it was Mother's Day (not our fault) but they were able to accomodate a spot for the two of us. And of course they charged FAR more than what we had anticipated. The brunch at the Baker House was basic. Not worth the outrageous pricetag. The Check-in process was atrocious. No one knew who was supposed to be manning the check-in desk so after waiting half an hour the bartender checked us in. There were three bartenders in the Apothocary Room. My husband ordered a drink off the menu and the trainee had to re-shake it 3 times as he kept adding forgotten ingredients while reading the recipe. It was watered down when my husband finally got it. I found out that I was pregnant just before our trip, so I asked the bartender what he could craft me that was NA. Get this.... in an Apothocary Bar, where handcrafted concoctions are made, his suggestion after looking at me like I was an alien, was, "Lemonade?". Like, you have got to be kidding me. That is the skillset you have in a creative space like an apothocary bar? Three bartenders and the best they could come up with was Lemonade? If it isn't on the menu, don't ask, their brains will explode. And if it is on the menu, make sure it isn't the trainee making your drink or you will pay full price for a watered down drink. (Shouldnt the menu training be done before hand?) There are so many fun NA drinks that could be created! I was very letdown as normally bartenders in intimate spaces like these love crafting special drinks and testing them out on patrons. There was only one other couple in the bar as it was 4pm on a Saturday. So it wasnt like my request was inappropriately timed. So, off to our room. There is no phone, no alarm clock, none of the typical amenities. It was 80+ degrees and the heated pool wasn't opened for the season yet. The grounds were nice, lots of spots to sit and chat. The karaoke at night is loud and carries throughout the grounds. Overall, there wasn't anything to get me to choose this place over any other. All of the parts that were supposed to set this Maxwell Mansion apart from other spots were a disappointment. We still had fun as Lake Geneva is a wonderful place, but we would not recommend Maxwell Mansion to anyone. read more

Nice room decor but awkward setup. No dresser, no space on bathroom sink, no real place to hang clothes except coat rack, terrible internet connection (something free that doesn't work is worthless), didn't replace bottled water, used decaf coffee and replaced with regular, etc. Apothecary bar and Speakeasy were great. Overpriced for what you get (or don't get) especially off season. read more

Beautiful property, complete with a speakeasy & cool apothecary bar. Definitely has a slightly haunted vibe, which they play up a bit. I would recommend grabbing a cocktail and wandering the first floor rooms & grounds (complete with a fire pit). Didn't stay in the hotel, but came for the speakeasy which is a coin toss on whether or not it will be rented out or even open for the night. There's no way to really know for sure because their social media won't tell you the truth, but hey, who needs information these days anyway? read more

Planned a wedding here for my son and his fiance for May 2020. Gave $1000 deposit but did not sign any contract. Covid 19 happened and they could not do the wedding we planned there, so the new coordinator (the first one we dealt with quit and no one bothered to let us know until we sought out someone for answers during the pandemic) suggested we move it to September. Well that is not going to happen now with Covid either and over 100 people attending either, so we called (no one ever reached out to us again.. for options during covid19) and Kim the manager informed me no speakeasy, no alcohol, etc but also no deposit back for cancelling because that's their policy...even though i never signed it. They cannot provide what we were promised for this wedding, but too bad was what i was told. She was very Rude and very demeaning. I now have lost $1000 to a selfish uncaring property and my son and fiance are heartbroken and cannot have their dream wedding. Please do yourself a favor and look elsewhere and make your wedding memorable and happy and deal with someone that really cares about your event and not just the $$$. This was the worst experience i have ever dealt with in my life and I would hate to see someone else's special day be drowned by people like this. There are so many great venues and planners out there so please find one that cares, not this place. The place is also for sale, which i just found out....so just beware. Read less read more

Beware when making reservations We were traveling across country and planned to stay at this great looking place on Lake Geneva because it was close to our destination. I called the hotel directly to make the reservation and a very nice girl answered. I explained that we were traveling and I would need flexibility to cancel the reservation if we were going to alter our plans. I booked 2 rooms for 2 nights and she agreed to give to give me a 24 hour cancellation notice on the second night, which is standard hotel policy, but that she needed 72 hours for the first night. We agreed and they charged the first night as a deposit on my credit card. Unfortunately, we had to radically alter our trip plans and i called a week in advance and told them we wouldn't be coming. After a long difficult discussion she said i need to pay an administrative fee of $50! Nothing like this was ever discussed. I think the property looks great but beware and get a recording of the terms when making reservations. read more

Wedding venue feedback- must beware! The lack of effort, responsibility and professionalism in carrying out a wedding event is astounding considering their reputable accommodations and dining experience. I absolutely love the historical charm, intimate atmosphere, accommodating staff, delicious food, luscious beds and sophisticated atmosphere offered at Baker House and Maxwell Mansion. This was a dream location- exchanging vows and celebrating our love and union at a Victorian Mansion. Although our original coordinator took days, weeks even, to respond to my inquiries, I understood that things take time and patiently awaited a reply. After a month of no reply and now nearly two weeks before the wedding, I tried frantically to get a hold of someone, anyone, who could answer me. After numerous attempts, I was finally informed that our original coordinator had taken a medical leave at least three weeks prior and that someone else was going to pick up where she left off. I was reassured of her professionalism and experience. However, I repeated myself via email and phone communication numerous times, and had made all details clearly outlined in our itinerary. It was also disconcerting that our last visit to Lake Geneva (since we live out of town) resulted in no notes from the coordinator and no communication between the two. So we were back at square one. The new coordinator had no awareness of basic facts: that the coordinator told us she sets up tables and decor the day of, that we already placed our alcohol order in-person, that we have a daughter who would need a highchair and that we would even be having music. The day before, I realized that speakers weren't set up for music nor did she even know if they worked. The coordinator also had no idea of our ceremony plan despite all information being indicated. On rehearsal night, the coordinator was not even present! I, along with my officiant, had to run the show with the butler, who kindly made himself available. Right before wedding day, I was informed that I would have to set up the decor and tables myself and with my bridesmaids help on the day of the wedding since another party would be there the night before. With our tight schedule wedding day, this was not possible and became another issue. My bridesmaids rushed and bent over backwards to set up for me and the coordinator had even gotten upset with them since she did not realize the amount of decor we had. I provided directions in advance for setup to help her oversee this. Not only were things not set up, she missed putting out signs for the favors and seating table (so our guests didn't even know that the keys were bottle opener favors), didn't put out the guest book, never put out the champagne flutes we purchased and put the wrong item as a topper on our cake! It was my friends who put out the chairs for the ceremony! I wanted my friends and family to have fun and celebrate and the whole time they had to work. They should have been paid the outrageous service fee! On wedding day, I only saw the coordinator standing in the doorway with a drink a few times. Upon passing her, she wouldn't even look at me or say anything. When I returned from nursing my daughter, all the guests were seated outside already-- before the cake cutting and first dance indoors. The coordinator had us awkwardly tell our guests to come back in and the coordinator claimed she had no idea, at which point it was then pointed out to her in the itinerary she carried, and she protested that she had no control, despite that only one door leads to the back gardens. When no speaker was available for speeches and toasts, she dismissed my request and told my sister and groom to tell me to just relax and wing it without a microphone, indicating that people across the yard would be able to hear well and they never needed a microphone in the past. Friends and family had to scramble to get a microphone, which the musicians luckily provided. Even with the mic, people in the back still didn't hear well because it was on the musicians amplifier rather than the surround sound speakers they had set up and couldn't use. After dinner I didn't even see the coordinator- she had gone. I feel deeply hurt by the lack of understanding and care put into this day. Although this may just be another day for the coordinator, this was my only wedding day. It was one of the most important days and I invested a lot of time, energy and finances into this while caring for a newborn, returning to work and dealing with family medical issues. The effort and care I put in was pushed under the table-- rather, stomped on. Even the other staff hired, including the photographers who had worked this venue multiple times, said that the venue "really lowered the bar this time" and they were astonished at the lack of professionalism experienced. Fortunately, the butler and the bartenders were amazing! Save yourself the pain! read more