Eugene C.
Yelp
The Grace E. Simons Lodge was the perfect place to celebrate my retirement! I had attended several functions over the years at the Lodge. I remember my first time I had a bit of difficulty finding it, but after the first time, I never forgot. Surprisingly, after that first experience, I noticed how well marked the signage was to get there, I had just not really looked up and seen all the signs. The Grace E. Simons Lodge is a slice of nature in the middle of an urban jungle. When I'm on the grounds, I feel like I have been magically transported to wilderness mountains. The brook, waterfall, pond, Japanese garden, and fountain all make for gorgeous photo ops. Also, we love that you can have your event either indoors or outdoors. This makes event planning free from weather worries ("weather independent").
While the Lodge can handle up to 200 people, our final count was a group of 110. Capacity was important to us because we did not have an accurate count until four days before my party. My retirement sendoff went off without a hitch, actually, it was perfect! When we arrived, the tables were set up exactly as promised. There was plenty of room for the caterer to set up his Hawaiian buffet with a separate serving station for the roasted pig. The Lodge provided a huge screen for us to project a photo slideshow. The podium and microphone/sound system were included at no extra charge. Everything was in perfect order. The restrooms were spotless and the kitchen was immaculate.
The staff was helpful and accommodating from the first day I came in with my inquiries (about eight weeks before the event). This helpful attitude was maintained all the way through the process including our final minutes after the party ended. Shortly after I decided this was definitely the place for me, they held an open house which my wife and I attended.
At the open house, there were many vendors demonstrating their offerings. We actually hired the Shave Ice truck we were introduced to at the open house. Most importantly, we got to meet the staff and the people behind the scenes and got a great feeling about how much they care. They were totally dedicated to serving us. As an example, on the day of the event, we asked if we could have a smaller rectangular table than we had originally requested weeks earlier. Their response was so relieving, "yes, we have several sizes, which size would you like?" They proceeded to fetch the table, set it up, and, all the while, with a smile.
Most of the reviews I read used the Lodge for weddings. It is a great venue for weddings and so much more! As a fresh retiree, I can clearly say, the The Grace E. Simons Lodge was the PERFECT venue for me, my family, and my coworkers. I am thrilled to have had my party at the The Grace E. Simons Lodge. Special thanks to all the staff members that were so kind, effective, and diligent!