The Balboa Inn, Newport Beach CA Reviews

Reviews

• Melody Sent on 09/21/2020
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  Amazing Wedding Planner And Venue!

  We worked with Amy for over 2 years to plan our dream wedding. She went above and beyond for every single thing and ensured that our experience was phenomenal. She is incredibly organized, detail-oriented, and fairly priced. The venue was breathtaking and Amy made our day perfect. I'd highly recommend anyone looking for planning to use Amy!

  We worked with Amy for over 2 years to plan our dream wedding. She went above and beyond for every single thing and ensured that our experience was phenomenal. She is incredibly organized, detail-oriented, and fairly priced. The venue was breathtaking and Amy made our day perfect. I'd highly recommend anyone looking for planning to use Amy!
• Ashlee Sent on 05/23/2013
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  Lisa is amazing. She was everything and more. We are so happy with how the whole evening went. Lisa was ver nice and attentive. She was the best cordinator a girl could ask for.

  Lisa is amazing. She was everything and more. We are so happy with how the whole evening went. Lisa was ver nice and attentive. She was the best cordinator a girl could ask for.
• Christina Sent on 08/06/2010
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  Michael was better than anything I could have ever expected! He helped me through all the pre-wedding gitters and kept everything so efficient. Everyone said it was the most organized wedding they've ever been to. Michael was the sweetest coordinator ever!

  Michael was better than anything I could have ever expected! He helped me through all the pre-wedding gitters and kept everything so efficient. Everyone said it was the most organized wedding they've ever been to. Michael was the sweetest coordinator ever!
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• Julie Sent on 07/22/2008
  5 out of 5 rating

  5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0

  I chose the Balboa Inn because I wanted a place where there would only be 1 wedding, mine. Santi, the event coordinator for the Balboa Inn, was absolutely amazing. She made sure that everything was perfect for my wedding day. The food was amazing and the bartender was great! Everyone enoyed themselves immensely.

  I chose the Balboa Inn because I wanted a place where there would only be 1 wedding, mine. Santi, the event coordinator for the Balboa Inn, was absolutely amazing. She made sure that everything was perfect for my wedding day. The food was amazing and the bartender was great! Everyone enoyed themselves immensely.
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  User2129090 Sent on 05/12/2015
  4.8 out of 5 rating

  4.8
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  Stephanie had been amazing through the entire process. We love the fact that they only have one wedding or event per day!

  Stephanie had been amazing through the entire process. We love the fact that they only have one wedding or event per day!
• Shannon Sent on 09/08/2009
  4.7 out of 5 rating

  4.7
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    4.5 out of 5 rating
    4.5

  I loved the Balboa Inn...It was the first placed that we looked at and loved it!!! Michael, the event coordinator, was amazing!! Anything that we needed or wanted he got! We used their centerpieces, simple sand, candle, shells, all in a small fish bowl! I would recommend the Inn to anybody that wants a wedding by the sea!!! The catering was amazing! They provided almost everything! We had to find our own cake, florist, photographers and music. They provided all the tables, linens, chairs, isle runner, etc. Everything we needed for the ceremony and the reception. Michael worked with us and got us anything we asked for, we got appetizers saved for the wedding party and he made sure everything was perfect...the one problem is parking...we got married in August and it was a beautiful day and some of my guests had to park several blocks away and it took about an hour to find parking!

  I loved the Balboa Inn...It was the first placed that we looked at and loved it!!! Michael, the event coordinator, was amazing!! Anything that we needed or wanted he got! We used their centerpieces, simple sand, candle, shells, all in a small fish bowl! I would recommend the Inn to anybody that wants a wedding by the sea!!! The catering was amazing! They provided almost everything! We had to find our own cake, florist, photographers and music. They provided all the tables, linens, chairs, isle runner, etc. Everything we needed for the ceremony and the reception. Michael worked with us and got us anything we asked for, we got appetizers saved for the wedding party and he made sure everything was perfect...the one problem is parking...we got married in August and it was a beautiful day and some of my guests had to park several blocks away and it took about an hour to find parking!
• Amy Sent on 06/19/2016
  4.2 out of 5 rating

  4.2
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    5.0 out of 5 rating
    5.0
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    4.5 out of 5 rating
    4.5
  • Value
    3.5 out of 5 rating
    3.5
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  I gave a 5 on responsiveness for Stephanie and Vanessa - these wedding coordinators were more than I ever could have ever asked for and I my wedding would have been nothing without them! The value for the wedding coordinating services is very good (only $500) and Stephanie met with me countless times and exchanged countless emails. The reason I rated overall value at 3.5 is because of the 1500 ceremony fee, 1500 reception fee and the 20% service fee (in addition to sales tax and server gratuity)... I guess these are standard fees but to me, they seemed excessive. They were very flexible with allowing me menu options without additional charge and waived the cake cutting fee in lieu of dessert options. Also, the owner is not very willing to negotiate the room block rate. Very few of my guests opted to stay at the Inn due to the room rates. Also, there is no parking (except $35 valet) and so guests need to arrive early or uber because parking is crazy during summer. I had to pay my make up artist extra so she could uber. Lastly, use the venues DJ (AAV Entertainment aka Lucas) and florist (Blooming Branch aka Maribel), both of these vendors were excellent, great rates and know the venue well. They made everything so easy! And Donna B's Bakery in Laguna Niguel is the best place for your cake!

  I gave a 5 on responsiveness for Stephanie and Vanessa - these wedding coordinators were more than I ever could have ever asked for and I my wedding would have been nothing without them! The value for the wedding coordinating services is very good (only $500) and Stephanie met with me countless times and exchanged countless emails. The reason I rated overall value at 3.5 is because of the 1500 ceremony fee, 1500 reception fee and the 20% service fee (in addition to sales tax and server gratuity)... I guess these are standard fees but to me, they seemed excessive. They were very flexible with allowing me menu options without additional charge and waived the cake cutting fee in lieu of dessert options. Also, the owner is not very willing to negotiate the room block rate. Very few of my guests opted to stay at the Inn due to the room rates. Also, there is no parking (except $35 valet) and so guests need to arrive early or uber because parking is crazy during summer. I had to pay my make up artist extra so she could uber. Lastly, use the venues DJ (AAV Entertainment aka Lucas) and florist (Blooming Branch aka Maribel), both of these vendors were excellent, great rates and know the venue well. They made everything so easy! And Donna B's Bakery in Laguna Niguel is the best place for your cake!
• Samantha Sent on 05/11/2014
  3.8 out of 5 rating

  3.8
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
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    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0
  • Professionalism
    3.5 out of 5 rating
    3.5
  • Value
    3.5 out of 5 rating
    3.5
  • Flexibility
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  The event coordinator , Stephanie, is amazing ! She took care of everything and was very helpful creative and professional yet fun . The hotel general manager however was less than friendly . The location is beautiful and fun

  The event coordinator , Stephanie, is amazing ! She took care of everything and was very helpful creative and professional yet fun . The hotel general manager however was less than friendly . The location is beautiful and fun
• Ana M. Sent on 07/12/2009
  2.5 out of 5 rating

  2.5
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    2.0 out of 5 rating
    2.0
  • Average response time
    2.5 out of 5 rating
    2.5
  • Professionalism
    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0
  • Value
    1.0 out of 5 rating
    1.0
  • Flexibility
    4.0 out of 5 rating
    4.0

  Here are the bad points:
  
  They only have one person working the front desk, so when my guests walked in, they were not directed to where my wedding was because the front desk person was checking someone into their room. They got frustrated and left.
  
  I didn't get a bridal dressing room, I got a hotel room, on the iffy side of the hotel, which didn't have much room to get ready in.
  
  It seems like Michael Gandy, (who I spoke with over e-mail) didn't seem to be present much at the wedding - he was in the bar, because he is the hotel bartender. It seems like if I would have chosen another reception site, the person i would have been corresponding with would have been there every step of the way.
  
  Here are the good points:
  It really was a beautiful wedding, and the location was cheaper than many of the other locations in the area. If you DO choose to have your wedding here, I would recommend that you purchase the services of a wedding planner to oversee everything and make sure that you don't have the annoying hiccups that I did.

  Here are the bad points:
  
  They only have one person working the front desk, so when my guests walked in, they were not directed to where my wedding was because the front desk person was checking someone into their room. They got frustrated and left.
  
  I didn't get a bridal dressing room, I got a hotel room, on the iffy side of the hotel, which didn't have much room to get ready in.
  
  It seems like Michael Gandy, (who I spoke with over e-mail) didn't seem to be present much at the wedding - he was in the bar, because he is the hotel bartender. It seems like if I would have chosen another reception site, the person i would have been corresponding with would have been there every step of the way.
  
  Here are the good points:
  It really was a beautiful wedding, and the location was cheaper than many of the other locations in the area. If you DO choose to have your wedding here, I would recommend that you purchase the services of a wedding planner to oversee everything and make sure that you don't have the annoying hiccups that I did.
• Sandy Sent on 08/22/2011
  1.4 out of 5 rating

  1.4
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    0.0 out of 5 rating
    0.0
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    0.5 out of 5 rating
    0.5
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    0.5 out of 5 rating
    0.5
  • Value
    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0
  • Flexibility
    3.0 out of 5 rating
    3.0

  The "general manager" who is now the wedding coordinator is unprofessional, rude, and makes promises that weren't kept. Michael the previous wedding coordinator was great, but now that he is no longer at Balboa Inn, there is no organization whatsoever. The venue for the wedding is beautiful but not worth the stress given because things are not taken care of i.e. tables and chairs set up when promised, adequate employees on duty for the event, non working DVD player for slideshow. The "general manager" was more concerned about his restaurant being open for business rather than a wedding event that cost thousands of dollars to put on. And to top it off, there was a huge water leak in the ceiling of the reception room minutes before guest entered. The "general manager" packed his bags and was on his way out because he was "off for the day." He was leaving in the middle of the event and leaving one server there the whole night. If you're looking for a beach venue, look elsewhere. Not to mention, parking is TERRIBLE, even after 5:00 PM when we were told there would be adequate parking.

  The "general manager" who is now the wedding coordinator is unprofessional, rude, and makes promises that weren't kept. Michael the previous wedding coordinator was great, but now that he is no longer at Balboa Inn, there is no organization whatsoever. The venue for the wedding is beautiful but not worth the stress given because things are not taken care of i.e. tables and chairs set up when promised, adequate employees on duty for the event, non working DVD player for slideshow. The "general manager" was more concerned about his restaurant being open for business rather than a wedding event that cost thousands of dollars to put on. And to top it off, there was a huge water leak in the ceiling of the reception room minutes before guest entered. The "general manager" packed his bags and was on his way out because he was "off for the day." He was leaving in the middle of the event and leaving one server there the whole night. If you're looking for a beach venue, look elsewhere. Not to mention, parking is TERRIBLE, even after 5:00 PM when we were told there would be adequate parking.