Castleknock Hotel wedding?

prodigy1

Hi, I am looking for information regarding our wedding in Castleknock hotel!! I have recently seen some bad reviews on trip advisor stating problems with the staff, in particular security staff, also, food and drink. If anyone has any information please reply or private message me!! We were about to put a deposit down but now we are very dubious!!:eek:

No1J

Why not treat yourselves to a night there and evening meal so you can make your own opinion. I presume you been there already and liked what you saw. I have only been there a couple of times for a drink or a snack, I have meant to do an evening meal and over night stay but have not gotten around to it yet. I feel it is a very polished, impressive, looking hotel if not a bit cold, Business feeling about it. Could be nice for a wedding reception but I think the food would let them down. The reviews are bad.

prodigy1

Hi, thanks for the reply and the advice.. We will defo do that, money is tight at the moment, but before we book, it is essential we do this. I heard that the residence bar closed at 3am even though it was been promised to stay open if the custom is there if you know what I mean. Also, what was really concerning was , I heard the security staff were over aggressive and rude. Furthermore, many suggested that the staff in the restaurant were rude. My family are from an old generation of morals and principles that unfortunately seem to be dying out now, That is manners and friendliness are paramount. I have to ask if you know whether there are many foreign nationals working there? Although you do get some rude Irish, I find that the hospitality and friendliness factor lacks somewhat in many of the foreign nationals, particularly in hotels.
If you or anyone elase has any other experience in this hotel we would be extremely greatful for your help
Kindest regards

No1J

Do you need to have the reception in this area, without being nosy is it a big or small wedding. I think a big one could work as it is very open plan and your guests would be able to spill out before the meal and then after as the smokers head for the terrace. But if it is a small reception I think it could be swallowed up by the none talking Business Types that frequent the Hotel. Have you been to the Finnstown house in lucan, more old world, nice restaurant.

meercat

prodigy1 wrote: »

Hi, I am looking for information regarding our wedding in Castleknock hotel!! I have recently seen some bad reviews on trip advisor stating problems with the staff, in particular security staff, also, food and drink. If anyone has any information please reply or private message me!! We were about to put a deposit down but now we are very dubious!!:eek:

went to a wedding there last year and it was one of the best i ever attended
stayed overnight and food was excellent and staff were friendly and efficient
just my experience though and only there the once but love to go again

smelltheglove

My sister was married there and there were no complaints. I actually only mentioned the hotel tosomeone the other day over something. My brother and his wife received a gift of an overnight stay, dinner and spa treatments so off they went, turned out after treatments and while dinner was being served they received a call re a family emergency and had to leave, the hotel told them not to worry about it, wished them the best and arranged the whole lot again for them the following week, no extra charge. They were amazed since they had wasted a dinner and used the spa treatments already!

Borderfox

I photographed a wedding there last year and thought the food wasnt great (eat in the restaurant) the drink price was quite high and the function room was L shaped (whats that all about) didnt strike me as anything special

bp

Looked at there last year, but didn't book it because of where the civil cermony was - very seperate to the ball room but otherwise it was fine - they can open up sections of room as needed, so the more you have the bigger they can make the reception area.

Chose somewhere else instead but only because of the layout - nothing against Castleknock Court hotel

amdublin

bp wrote: »

Chose somewhere else instead but only because of the layout - nothing against Castleknock Court hotel

Is this a different hotel to the one the op is talking about?

Op ive been to a wedding there and eaten there numerous times. O think it is lovely and staff are great.

No1J

Castleknock Hotel and country Club, from town, left at Myos, right at Castleknock Collage heading towards the Strawberry beds, left at next junction simples:)

prodigy1

Thanks for the replies everyone!! We will hopefully have about 120-130 guests, Castleknock hotel is not exactly the cheapest out there but we were impressed with the venue itself, but having considered now from your comments about the L shaped room and many people talking about the food not being great has put us right off! Has anybody heard anything about the security staff and also the residents bar not being open even after it was promised it would be? Once again all info welcome.. and we are greatful. If anyone has any other destinations in mind please recommend them! Thanks again

itsallaboutme!!

what about Dunboyne castle hotel? i have eaten and been for drinks here before and no complaints. some friends of mine are getting married here in august and another couple have just booked their wedding here for 2013!We also went along with some friends to see a wedding band there and had a quick look inside and the room itself looked lovely all set up!

niallam

prodigy1 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone!! We will hopefully have about 120-130 guests, Castleknock hotel is not exactly the cheapest out there but we were impressed with the venue itself

Have a look at Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, one of the best venues if you really want to be impressed

Eldel

I've been to 2 weddings in Castleknock Court Hotel. Food was top notch. Seared tuna was a treat. The bedrooms are fine. 2 important things though: the L-shaped room is odd and excludes people and the resident's bar closes early. Someone mentioned Dunboyne Castle - fabulous location.

prodigy1

Hi everybody..thanks for the feedback!! think we are put off with castlknock now to be honest. we have done lots more research.. has anyone come accross the Middleton park house for weddings..? whats it like

No1J

Hi P1
I kinda thought you were trying to stay in the area and that it might be a small affair, but wow 130 ish and any where in the country, differant story.
Do you want it in Dublin 20 mile rad?
Anywhere depending on the money?
If the second, prepare yourself for plenty of ideas, I hope.
Best one I was at for all the reasons, staff, food, bar, rooms, location, and to be fair guests making the effort to travel a bit was the Renvyle House Hotel Galway.

prodigy1

Hi No1j, thanks for replies. yeah there would be about 130 guests, but budget is tight!! I had a look at the renvyle..looks class but way out of our budget...thanks though!! yeah if you have any good ideas for places around 20mile radius would be great!

aoione

Midleton Park is beautiful.. Jameson suite is well run, open spaced, stage is perfectly situated for band to set up prior to meal (this is a BIG BIG advantage, believe me, I play with wedding bands!! ), food is more than reliable, something for everyone and serving staff are more than helpful with coeliacs, vegetarians.. etc. Rooms are beautiful and not too expensive... right in the middle of town but ample parking and security are great. Cannot rate it highly enough.. even for little things like a waitress brought me a glass of water when I was playing the piano for a drinks reception in the garden suite before the main reception.

You will NOT be disappointed. Don't know how much they charge, but I've been a musician and guest at weddings there and cannot rate it highly enough!

prodigy1

Hi AOIONE

Thanks for the feedback...are you sure you dont work for them!!!:D Seriously we have heard nothing but great reviews, but hopefully you can help me with a couple of concerns!! Firstly, I heard they dont have guinness in the bar but hopefully that will be rectified, also, the bar seems very small to serve 130 guests? Furthermore, we are worried about where the dance floor is..does it really work? Lastly, do you know if they throw you out of the room where you have the meal after all is finished, because we know people would be wanting just to sit and chat in that room instead of being shuffled out if you know what i mean!!
If you can help us with any of these concerns we would be extremely greatful
Kindest regards.

aoione

I'm sure if you requested guinness on tap they'd be more than willing to oblige.. I know they have it in the main bar which is literally around the corner from the main function room if they don't have it on the night-but I'm sure they'd have no problem in getting it.

I've seen the bar have 4 staff on and serving almost 200 guests-they can hack it, don't worry No problem with the residents bar either.. the duty managers always take care of that.

The dance floor does work. They move around 5 round tables back or to the side and, leave the top table where it is and the whole view point kind of rotates to the right, if you get me? All the tables face the top tables for the meal, which is to the left side of the main entrance... that is cleared after the meal, and the stage which you face upon enterring is then the main view point.. some of the tables are cleared and the wooden part is the dance floor, obviously. It does work, honestly. And as I said, the band AND DJ can set up long before the wedding guests arrive for the meal, so everybody is relaxed-not just the wedding party!

No, I've never worked for the Park..haha!

prodigy1

Thanks very much for the reply!! Yeah that all sounds great and has put our minds at ease..Actually Im just thinking of the lovely pints of guinness as the keg would be right beside the tap so it should be lovely!! By the way did you stay the next day there..we really want a good day the day after!! its the day everyone would be relaxed so we can have a good session as well..hopefully!! If you have any advice for us please let us know...once again thanks for the info!!:pac:

No1J

Don't want to confuse you with too many idea's but did you take a look at the Carrickdale just before the border at Newry, brill for food and an "understanding" bar. I know it's the other end of the country but only 1 hour from D15.
It's always busy, has that homely style, it also has a garden built for wedding photos (they have the land) Wishing well etc, mini Stephens green.
We always stopped on our way to the cheep booze over the border, sorry Mr tax man.