July 2009 Wedding
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 7/28/09
We have been to Stowehof Inn several times in the past and found it a lovely setting, albeit 'a dowager going gently downhill.' In years past the service was gracious and the food was imaginatively prepared and beautifully presented. The hotel is no longer under the same management as in those times. Imagine our dismay when we held our wedding there only to find an untrained and disinterested staff, poor service [coffee makers but no coffee in the rooms, torn drapes, no overnight staffing, a ‘full country breakfast’ that was cold and greasy - no fresh fruits or ingredients offered nor available at breakfast - and so on], and a catered wedding brunch where the food we contracted for was replaced with inferior quality, shoddily presented, less than adequate amounts, and the [open] bar was opened BEFORE our 11:30 ceremony, not after. As well, the hotel did not inform us when we reached our contracted-for bar total, causing a higher bar tab without our permission]. Although our day was not to be dimmed by these shortcomings: still a lovely wedding, beautiful setting, dear friends and family, joyous occasion, we cannot recommend this Inn for special events. The disinterest, lack of customer service skills and courtesies, and professionalism among the staff is shocking. A bright note: one or two of the 'old' staff are still present and their graciousness and cheerful helpfulness deserves a resounding thank you! As well, special thanks to the wedding planner who did her best to make this a lovely day despite the aforementioned problems.