Jennifer C.
Yelp
I was a part of a wedding at this venue in the heart of Orange. While the wedding was beautiful and the staff did a great job setting up, the overall experience was marred by unfriendly service. The bartender seemed annoyed when asked for water, a waiter treated us like criminals for requesting an extra bread roll (which we were denied), and the servers refused to give us an additional plate of food sent by the bride and groom and again, treated us like criminals for even asking. Even when I approached the outdoor bar for water, I was curtly told to find the water station inside. These encounters with unfriendly staff were disappointing, although a few team members were nice, the majority were not.
It's clear that management aims to provide exceptional service, as this venue is part of The 24 Carrots Collective, but it falls short due to what seemed like grumpy staff members.
The start of the service was good as management was really communicative on room reservations and also extremely accommodating. The venue staff was also really well-organized for hosting a larger beautiful wedding.
The bridal suite was a bit cramped for six bridesmaids and their makeup artists, so if you're considering this venue, keep that in mind. The space for dinner service felt tight with 160 guests in a good way as this created a cozy and lively atmosphere, especially for the dance floor once the lights dimmed. The food was also a highlight, especially since the couple opted to upgrade to Seabass, which was delicious.
Overall, the venue offers a charming setting for a fun wedding, but the service could use improvement or certain staff members could use more training. Additionally, parking is a challenge if you're not staying overnight in one of the boutique hotel's twelve rooms. For weddings, they do offer a trolley service from a nearby parking area, which is a helpful option.
I didn't end up staying overnight after learning that the hotel used to be a mortuary, which made me feel uneasy. However, the guests who did stay seemed to really enjoy their experience. The hotel is conveniently located, surrounded by plenty of eateries, which is a big plus.
In summary, while the venue offers a charming setting and the wedding itself was wonderful, the experience was ruined by inconsistent service. If you're considering this venue, be prepared for both the charm and quirks that come with it. With a few improvements, this place could truly shine to its 24 Carrots potential!