Anita B.
1/5
Although working with Danielle over 10 months was easy, the communication and execution was terrible. Diagrams and requests were not communicated to the host of the day; But most importantly, Landmark Venues cuts its own costs by using almost-all only-Spanish-speaking staff. On the morning of my event day, October 13, I attempted to connect with maître d’, Vicky, only to be told that there was no Vicky that worked there. The people answering the phones are not well informed. After requesting to speak to any Maitre D’, I did speak to Vicky however her command of the English language was terrible. She just did not have the capability of understanding simple English.
I arrived early and walked around to inspect everything.
They had the wrong furniture, the wrong layout for cocktail hour, and the wrong layout for the DJ in the ballroom. The problem was complicated by Vicky’s inability to understand me. In her frustration she raised her voice, stating that I should take my issues with management because "she was just filling in". After much consternation, I was rescued by Jackie, the bridal attendant, who did speak English. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was only 1 of 3 English-speaking-staff members that I came across that evening. The rest of the staff did not understand me, but I didn’t know that at the time.
As I walked around, I found the DJ was upset about having to redo the set up when no Liberty House staff was around to communicate the layout 4 hours prior, when he had arrived.
I found that the backdrop for the sweetheart table in the ballroom had broken in the travel, so I asked the staff to simply remove it. I left the hall to walk around some more, expecting them to understand and heed my request. It was still there when our guests came up to the reception hall. It had to be taken out, when the room was half full with guests….most embarrassing for me; reflecting ignorance or incompetence for Liberty House. They had not understood the request.
When the event started, there was no attendant to guide guests upon their arrival. Normally, they have a sign (with arrows pointing to restrooms, cocktails, reception) but even that was not set up and was hiding behind a door. As a result, many of my guests walked into the front door, walked upstairs to the reception, walked back downstairs, walked through Maddy Rose, wandering about looking for the event. My brother eventually found the sign, picked it up and placed it so that he did not have to repeatedly retrieve our guests.
I had asked to have glasses of red and white wine to be offered, on a tray, as people came in. I found myself repeatedly making this request. They were all non-English speaking and simply did not understand the ask.
For my event, the unpreparedness of the venue, and the unexpected, unprofessional, and non-English speaking waitstaff sent my anxiety and stress levels through the roof. It was very difficult to enjoy my own reception … for which I had been so ready. So after picking a premier venue and spending a lot money I can tell you that Landmark Venue, cut so many corners by hiring non-English-speaking, client-facing staff, (even some simply filling in for the day) that they entirely ruined my event for me! I will never recommend them.
No one should have to deal with the audacity of a venue providing D-rate service when they are paying A-rate prices. I am not one to write negative reviews. I actually brought my concerns to Danielle who said that she would address them. I was then referred to John Williams, from the corporate office. It seemed like he did care when I spoke to him and he assured me that he would get back to me. Almost 2 months later, he has ignored my emails and phone calls. You would think the Head of the Landmark Club and VP would care! No one cares. They had our money and they have no compunction about delivering poor service. The lack of management's response to my concerns confirms it. Think Twice before you book here.
