The Mansion on O Street Reviews
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4.3 out of 5 rating
4.3 Good
4.3 out of 5 rating
16 reviews
85% recommend it
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Quality of service 4.6 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 4.1 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 4.1 out of 5 rating
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Value 4.3 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 4.3 out of 5 rating
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Anonymous1 Sent on 03/02/20225 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
Wonderful place for our Wonderland experience
Madison and the team at The Mansion on O were phenomenal from start to finish. Throughout the process questions were answered and changes were accommodated. During the walkthrough, H had some wonderful suggestions. Our wedding was an amazing experience for everyone.Madison and the team at The Mansion on O were phenomenal from start to finish. Throughout the process questions were answered and changes were accommodated. During the walkthrough, H had some wonderful suggestions. Our wedding was an amazing experience for everyone.-
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+2 photos
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Quality of service
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Alli Sent on 01/30/20185 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
The Mansion on O Street was the PERFECT venue for our Rehearsal/Welcome Dinner this past September! The Mansion was truly the best way to capture my (now) husband and I's quirky personalities while welcoming our guests to DC, before a more traditional wedding day. The tour of the mansion allowed guests to meet and mingle as they discovered themed rooms and searched for secret passageways. We had just over 100 people attend, and the ballroom provided a wonderful area for speeches, while the many rooms on the first floor gave the unexpected bonus of semi-private areas to encourage conversation (and keep divorced family members from bumping into each other). The food was absolutely incredible (especially the desserts), and H and her team were a dream to work with!The Mansion on O Street was the PERFECT venue for our Rehearsal/Welcome Dinner this past September! The Mansion was truly the best way to capture my (now) husband and I's quirky personalities while welcoming our guests to DC, before a more traditional wedding day. The tour of the mansion allowed guests to meet and mingle as they discovered themed rooms and searched for secret passageways. We had just over 100 people attend, and the ballroom provided a wonderful area for speeches, while the many rooms on the first floor gave the unexpected bonus of semi-private areas to encourage conversation (and keep divorced family members from bumping into each other). The food was absolutely incredible (especially the desserts), and H and her team were a dream to work with! -
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User2428012 Sent on 11/16/20155 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
This email is for H, Tom, Sally, and everyone else who helped to make our wedding last weekend so amazing - Thank you!!
My wife and I had an amazing night and our guests cannot stop raving about what fun they had and about how beautiful and incredible a place the Mansion is. You all did an amazing job setting up the space just as we wanted it, the food was plentiful and delicious, the bar was well stocked and your bartender a super nice guy, the staff was gracious and patient with our (by the end of the evening!) inebriated guests...In sum, we could not have asked for a more special evening.
Also, you were all so accommodating with allowing us to spill into the entire first floor, I know the kids loved the extra space to run around in, and also with allowing us to drop our flowers off at the Mansion and assemble our centerpieces there. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for making our wedding so memorable and stress free! We hope to be back soon!
(I wrote this email to the Mansion after my wedding and stand by every word. The only thing I want to add is that my wife and I did end up paying more than we first thought. We don't regret a single penny spent, but be sure to look at their website closely and ask lots of questions about what is included and what will cost extra so you can properly budget.)This email is for H, Tom, Sally, and everyone else who helped to make our wedding last weekend so amazing - Thank you!!
My wife and I had an amazing night and our guests cannot stop raving about what fun they had and about how beautiful and incredible a place the Mansion is. You all did an amazing job setting up the space just as we wanted it, the food was plentiful and delicious, the bar was well stocked and your bartender a super nice guy, the staff was gracious and patient with our (by the end of the evening!) inebriated guests...In sum, we could not have asked for a more special evening.
Also, you were all so accommodating with allowing us to spill into the entire first floor, I know the kids loved the extra space to run around in, and also with allowing us to drop our flowers off at the Mansion and assemble our centerpieces there. Thank you again.
Thank you so much for making our wedding so memorable and stress free! We hope to be back soon!
(I wrote this email to the Mansion after my wedding and stand by every word. The only thing I want to add is that my wife and I did end up paying more than we first thought. We don't regret a single penny spent, but be sure to look at their website closely and ask lots of questions about what is included and what will cost extra so you can properly budget.) -
Quality of service
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Iain Sent on 08/12/20155 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
The perfect venue. H and her team coordinated the ideal reception and ceremony to match our personalities, including accommodating unusual and last minute requests. The food was delicious, the staff were fantastic and H & Ted were amazing hosts. This venue exceeded our wildest expectations.
If you know you need a wedding which people will remember, The Mansion must be considered.The perfect venue. H and her team coordinated the ideal reception and ceremony to match our personalities, including accommodating unusual and last minute requests. The food was delicious, the staff were fantastic and H & Ted were amazing hosts. This venue exceeded our wildest expectations.
If you know you need a wedding which people will remember, The Mansion must be considered. -
Quality of service
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Holly Sent on 10/24/20135 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
Our wedding experience at the Mansion on O street was beyond anything we could even have dreamt. More than the outrageously wonderful accommodations, the food that everyone raved to us about, even the magnificent experience of the Mansion as a physical place, we remain stunned by the kindness, the gentleness, the expertise, and the professionalism of the people who truly ARE the Mansion.
I wish I could put my words into an eloquent stream, but how often does anyone truly get to experience a perfect event? A PERFECT event! From start to finish, from check-in to wedded bliss, to dazzling reception, to haven that was our amazing personal retreat after the festivities, it was perfection. Every expectation was not only exceeded, but blown out of the water.
I could not have imagined a day like the one that H and T gave us. Our family and friends (including the kids, who had a blast!) will never forget this day, and we are similarly fixed by the magic we experienced there. It is not just a venue. It is not just an organization. The Mansion is an adventure - a fantasy made real. We are so thankful, so overwhelmed. Thank you H. Thank you T. You gave us the gift of starting a life together marked by wonderment. You made us feel so special, so chosen, so very lucky to know you and be able to live in your world for those beautiful moments. Trusting you and your wonderful team (we so appreciated Amanda and Sally and truly every person who participated in our event) was the best decision we ever could have made. Our gorgeous and delicious surprise pagoda wedding cake was but one proof of many that leaving it in your hands is a guarantor of success and happiness. I don't know how we will ever be able to show our appreciation, but we shall find a way!Our wedding experience at the Mansion on O street was beyond anything we could even have dreamt. More than the outrageously wonderful accommodations, the food that everyone raved to us about, even the magnificent experience of the Mansion as a physical place, we remain stunned by the kindness, the gentleness, the expertise, and the professionalism of the people who truly ARE the Mansion.
I wish I could put my words into an eloquent stream, but how often does anyone truly get to experience a perfect event? A PERFECT event! From start to finish, from check-in to wedded bliss, to dazzling reception, to haven that was our amazing personal retreat after the festivities, it was perfection. Every expectation was not only exceeded, but blown out of the water.
I could not have imagined a day like the one that H and T gave us. Our family and friends (including the kids, who had a blast!) will never forget this day, and we are similarly fixed by the magic we experienced there. It is not just a venue. It is not just an organization. The Mansion is an adventure - a fantasy made real. We are so thankful, so overwhelmed. Thank you H. Thank you T. You gave us the gift of starting a life together marked by wonderment. You made us feel so special, so chosen, so very lucky to know you and be able to live in your world for those beautiful moments. Trusting you and your wonderful team (we so appreciated Amanda and Sally and truly every person who participated in our event) was the best decision we ever could have made. Our gorgeous and delicious surprise pagoda wedding cake was but one proof of many that leaving it in your hands is a guarantor of success and happiness. I don't know how we will ever be able to show our appreciation, but we shall find a way! -
Quality of service
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User1044116 Sent on 12/13/20125 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
Incredible food, a beautiful and unique setting, and secret doors!!!...
The Mansion on O Street is a veritable labyrinth, every inch of which is infused with creativity--fine art, chintzy art, antiques and collectibles, & an astounding assortment of memorabilia, including guitars signed by some of Rock’n’Roll’s greats!
After attending a couple of Sunday brunches held at the Mansion, my fiancé and I decided it would be a great place for our wedding. We were right!!!
We arranged for a room during the Mansion’s regular Sunday champagne brunch buffet. This way, we were able to have a private room where guests could sit together but could also enjoy the elaborate public brunch which extends across several rooms. The food selection varies daily, but the variety is such that it’s impossible for even the most particular palate to come away unsatisfied, or even unimpressed.
Combining our event with the regular brunch enabled us to provide our guests with an enormous variety of 5-star foods that we could never have afforded via private catering. The Mansion DOES permit completely private events, but we were on a tighter budget. In hindsight, I’m grateful for that, because our wedding day could NOT have been better!
Several of our international guests stayed overnight at the Mansion, splitting the cost on 2- & 3-bedroom suites. My fiancé & I stayed in a nearby private & delightfully quirky room, featuring an en suite guitar (signed by Eric Clapton!) which I played while my British fiancé prepared tea in fine china from our kitchenette. There was also a Jacuzzi & a wet-room in the bathing lounge – I say “lounge” because the room was enormous, lined with makeup mirrors and plenty of “comfy” chairs - Perfect for having all the bridesmaids in to do hair and makeup together!
We even had a mini-gym in our room, with treadmill, heavy punching bag, and 2 sets of boxing gloves! As you can imagine, our first “fight” was hilarious!
We LOVE the Mansion!!!Incredible food, a beautiful and unique setting, and secret doors!!!...
The Mansion on O Street is a veritable labyrinth, every inch of which is infused with creativity--fine art, chintzy art, antiques and collectibles, & an astounding assortment of memorabilia, including guitars signed by some of Rock’n’Roll’s greats!
After attending a couple of Sunday brunches held at the Mansion, my fiancé and I decided it would be a great place for our wedding. We were right!!!
We arranged for a room during the Mansion’s regular Sunday champagne brunch buffet. This way, we were able to have a private room where guests could sit together but could also enjoy the elaborate public brunch which extends across several rooms. The food selection varies daily, but the variety is such that it’s impossible for even the most particular palate to come away unsatisfied, or even unimpressed.
Combining our event with the regular brunch enabled us to provide our guests with an enormous variety of 5-star foods that we could never have afforded via private catering. The Mansion DOES permit completely private events, but we were on a tighter budget. In hindsight, I’m grateful for that, because our wedding day could NOT have been better!
Several of our international guests stayed overnight at the Mansion, splitting the cost on 2- & 3-bedroom suites. My fiancé & I stayed in a nearby private & delightfully quirky room, featuring an en suite guitar (signed by Eric Clapton!) which I played while my British fiancé prepared tea in fine china from our kitchenette. There was also a Jacuzzi & a wet-room in the bathing lounge – I say “lounge” because the room was enormous, lined with makeup mirrors and plenty of “comfy” chairs - Perfect for having all the bridesmaids in to do hair and makeup together!
We even had a mini-gym in our room, with treadmill, heavy punching bag, and 2 sets of boxing gloves! As you can imagine, our first “fight” was hilarious!
We LOVE the Mansion!!! -
Quality of service
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User1101611 Sent on 03/03/20134.9 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 4.5 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
My friend hosted my bridal shower at the Mansion on O Street. It was such a creative way to spend the day with my closest girlfriends and I think the girls really enjoyed the tour of the mansion afterwards. The staff was great, but a little slow to get things started. I also think they did not realize I was the bride until I opened my presents because they were very attentive to my mom and always served her first; I was often the last to be served and it was a bit awkward. Otherwise, our tea party was a blast.My friend hosted my bridal shower at the Mansion on O Street. It was such a creative way to spend the day with my closest girlfriends and I think the girls really enjoyed the tour of the mansion afterwards. The staff was great, but a little slow to get things started. I also think they did not realize I was the bride until I opened my presents because they were very attentive to my mom and always served her first; I was often the last to be served and it was a bit awkward. Otherwise, our tea party was a blast. -
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Barbara Sent on 08/14/20094.9 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 4.5 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
I love The Mansion, its staff and owners. If you want a reception that you and your guests will talk about for years to come, then The Mansion is the place for you. My wedding had a Victorian theme and The Mansion was the perfect place for my reception. As others have said, The Mansion has its own way of doing things. What I truly appreciate is that their way of helping you plan your wedding or reception is clearly laid out on their website. You do communicate by email and this allows you to have a chronology of decisions or changes made. You will get the event that you want and dreamed of. I have no doubt about that.
The Mansion also offers one stop shopping for most of your needs. I gave them my budget for the catering, flowers, and the wedding cake and they worked with that budget. The food was magnificent and its presentation was breathe taking. I wanted flowers on my wedding cake and I left the design and flavor up to the baker. I did not make a mistake. The cake was beautiful and tasted wonderfully. My husband and I could not save the top for our anniversary. We ate it during the next few days. We plan to have them bake another one for our anniversary.
My guests wanted for nothing. Both my husband and I are from the south and The Mansion made sure that my southern guests had a taste of home. The decor was extraordinary and because of The Mansion's beauty, you do not need to spend a lot on flowers or any other decorations. The service was excellent and as the Bride, The Mansion provided a young lady who worked exclusively to ensure that I had everything that I wanted and needed. When it comes to flexibility, the owners are the best. My guest list increased by 25 percent, and H and Ted made sure that I had the space needed to accommodate everyone. They worked a miracle and ensured that everyone was very comfortable. We also spent our wedding night at The Mansion. Our room was beautiful and as requested, they served us food from our reception for dinner. That gave my husband and I the opportunity to truly savor the food and enjoy each other's company. The next morning we had a beautiful breakfast.
If you want a venue where you and your guests feel at home, yet have the staff of royalty serving you, then you too, will love The Mansion. I highly recommend The Mansion for your wedding and reception. Make a reservation and visit The Mansion on Sundays and Mondays where you can tour the facilties and have a wonderful brunch, tea, or lunch. You will see how magnificent a place this is.
I love The Mansion, its staff and owners. If you want a reception that you and your guests will talk about for years to come, then The Mansion is the place for you. My wedding had a Victorian theme and The Mansion was the perfect place for my reception. As others have said, The Mansion has its own way of doing things. What I truly appreciate is that their way of helping you plan your wedding or reception is clearly laid out on their website. You do communicate by email and this allows you to have a chronology of decisions or changes made. You will get the event that you want and dreamed of. I have no doubt about that.
The Mansion also offers one stop shopping for most of your needs. I gave them my budget for the catering, flowers, and the wedding cake and they worked with that budget. The food was magnificent and its presentation was breathe taking. I wanted flowers on my wedding cake and I left the design and flavor up to the baker. I did not make a mistake. The cake was beautiful and tasted wonderfully. My husband and I could not save the top for our anniversary. We ate it during the next few days. We plan to have them bake another one for our anniversary.
My guests wanted for nothing. Both my husband and I are from the south and The Mansion made sure that my southern guests had a taste of home. The decor was extraordinary and because of The Mansion's beauty, you do not need to spend a lot on flowers or any other decorations. The service was excellent and as the Bride, The Mansion provided a young lady who worked exclusively to ensure that I had everything that I wanted and needed. When it comes to flexibility, the owners are the best. My guest list increased by 25 percent, and H and Ted made sure that I had the space needed to accommodate everyone. They worked a miracle and ensured that everyone was very comfortable. We also spent our wedding night at The Mansion. Our room was beautiful and as requested, they served us food from our reception for dinner. That gave my husband and I the opportunity to truly savor the food and enjoy each other's company. The next morning we had a beautiful breakfast.
If you want a venue where you and your guests feel at home, yet have the staff of royalty serving you, then you too, will love The Mansion. I highly recommend The Mansion for your wedding and reception. Make a reservation and visit The Mansion on Sundays and Mondays where you can tour the facilties and have a wonderful brunch, tea, or lunch. You will see how magnificent a place this is.
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Quality of service
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Linda Sent on 04/21/20094.7 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 3.5 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
One of the most amazing and unique venues... but this is about catering: The food was fantastic. We had everything for a very reasonable cost. It is best to do buffet style at this location. Everything was delicious and plenty of options for vegetarians, I (nor anyone else) wanted for anything the entire evening. The service was amazing, my husband's father commented on it a few times throughout the night. They were very attentive without being at all bothersome. They offered to get my drinks and make me plates of food. very kind and fun group of employees there. also, a bonus is that they will work with you on food costs for sure.One of the most amazing and unique venues... but this is about catering: The food was fantastic. We had everything for a very reasonable cost. It is best to do buffet style at this location. Everything was delicious and plenty of options for vegetarians, I (nor anyone else) wanted for anything the entire evening. The service was amazing, my husband's father commented on it a few times throughout the night. They were very attentive without being at all bothersome. They offered to get my drinks and make me plates of food. very kind and fun group of employees there. also, a bonus is that they will work with you on food costs for sure. -
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Greg Sent on 04/27/20104.3 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 3.5 out of 5 rating
We had our rehearsal dinner at The Mansion and had a wonderful time. The food and service was excellent and plentiful and all of our guest raved about it. I would so far as to say that The Mansion is one DC's BEST kept secret and a must see.
In response to the other reviews posted, we too were disappointed with the costs being higher than we anticipated even though at all times we were clear that cost was an issue. By no means are we implying the The Mansion is dishonest - they are wonderful people and I look forward to attending more events there- it is just not an inexpensive venue. BUT if you want a one-of-kind experience and not the same boring "chicken dinner" you have had at most large events- this is the only venue that you can seriously consider.We had our rehearsal dinner at The Mansion and had a wonderful time. The food and service was excellent and plentiful and all of our guest raved about it. I would so far as to say that The Mansion is one DC's BEST kept secret and a must see.
In response to the other reviews posted, we too were disappointed with the costs being higher than we anticipated even though at all times we were clear that cost was an issue. By no means are we implying the The Mansion is dishonest - they are wonderful people and I look forward to attending more events there- it is just not an inexpensive venue. BUT if you want a one-of-kind experience and not the same boring "chicken dinner" you have had at most large events- this is the only venue that you can seriously consider. -
Quality of service
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User2420695 Sent on 11/10/20154 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 4.0 out of 5 rating
Like many of the other reviewers, our wedding at the Mansion ended up being warm and wonderful. The food and cake were delicious, and the venue is so cool and quirky and fun that all of our family and friends (and we) had a great time. Once at the event, they have a whole team there and everyone was super helpful and made sure everything was going smoothly. H. and Ted have a vision and take the planning personally. This is like Alice in Wonderland-whimsical, delightful, and a bit madcap. It's especially fun with kids and makes for GREAT photos.
That said, here are some lessons learned:
- If you are having any more than a very small wedding, it makes sense to pay the $4500 for exclusive use of the mansion, especially if you are doing your ceremony and you want to do dancing. The mansion also set up a kids' area (we brought board games) and some couches for the grown ups. It was hard for us to get clear info about how many people each room can accommodate, so I would recommend going in person up front to make sure you understand the layout for ceremony, dancing, food, etc. In the end, the "exclusive" was totally worth it and allowed a relaxed and unusual setting for our guests. Just think of it as a facility fee and be prepared to pay it.
- The Mansion does everything a la carte, so if you want anything (special linens, A/V, etc) it is extra. There is also a setup fee that is not a gratuity, and it changes based on your setup - anticipate extra charges in your budget. Alcohol is a per person per hour rate. Would recommend if you are on a tight budget make sure that's clear up front and try to find out all the charges ahead of time.
- The Mansion does almost everything by email but it really makes a difference to be there in person to plan.
- There are some mysterious things about the planning process and it is not your typical corporate planning process. Just try to trust it. In the end, everything came out beautifully.
Like many of the other reviewers, our wedding at the Mansion ended up being warm and wonderful. The food and cake were delicious, and the venue is so cool and quirky and fun that all of our family and friends (and we) had a great time. Once at the event, they have a whole team there and everyone was super helpful and made sure everything was going smoothly. H. and Ted have a vision and take the planning personally. This is like Alice in Wonderland-whimsical, delightful, and a bit madcap. It's especially fun with kids and makes for GREAT photos.
That said, here are some lessons learned:
- If you are having any more than a very small wedding, it makes sense to pay the $4500 for exclusive use of the mansion, especially if you are doing your ceremony and you want to do dancing. The mansion also set up a kids' area (we brought board games) and some couches for the grown ups. It was hard for us to get clear info about how many people each room can accommodate, so I would recommend going in person up front to make sure you understand the layout for ceremony, dancing, food, etc. In the end, the "exclusive" was totally worth it and allowed a relaxed and unusual setting for our guests. Just think of it as a facility fee and be prepared to pay it.
- The Mansion does everything a la carte, so if you want anything (special linens, A/V, etc) it is extra. There is also a setup fee that is not a gratuity, and it changes based on your setup - anticipate extra charges in your budget. Alcohol is a per person per hour rate. Would recommend if you are on a tight budget make sure that's clear up front and try to find out all the charges ahead of time.
- The Mansion does almost everything by email but it really makes a difference to be there in person to plan.
- There are some mysterious things about the planning process and it is not your typical corporate planning process. Just try to trust it. In the end, everything came out beautifully.
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Quality of service
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Stephanie S. Sent on 07/25/20134 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 4.0 out of 5 rating
We had the BEST time at our wedding. Venue was perfect, food was good, et. Al.! I would be remiss not to mention the "flubs" that happened just as a cautionary tale, although NOTHING ruined our night. (1) Months before the wedding, we selected our menu including a specific type of fish. 3 days before, the Mansion said the bronzini was no good & they would substitute w/another fish. During the planning process, the Mansion should be aware of what's "in season," so you're not offered an option you ultimately can’t have. (2) wine served was not the wine our parents selected. We chose to have 1 bottle of red & 2 bottles of white open @ each table during dinner. One table had 7 open bottles. WHAT WENT WELL: The Mansion moved their furniture to accommodate our large group/make the space work for us. They gifted us additional appetizers during cocktail hour & an entire dessert buffet which everyone raved about. Food/drinks were good and service was great. WHY 3 STARS ON PROFESSIONALISM? When we first booked, there was an employee who soon left and for a time, I didn't know who I was working with: the owner or the event coordinator. About 2 months after booking we were told we likely couldn't fit for our ceremony, & @ that point we had already printed invitations w/final details. We went back and forth with emails/ meetings and finally sorted it out. I'm type-A & had every detail planned to a T, but in a lot of meetings, the Mansion was wishy-washy on specific details. We also went through several iterations of the invoice which in the end worked out, but at one point we had a $2,000 fee added that was not there before, and when I called it to their attention they removed it with no explanation of why it was added in the first place. All-in-all we had a fantastic wedding, and although at times the planning process was difficult, the end result was worth every bit of stress during planning!We had the BEST time at our wedding. Venue was perfect, food was good, et. Al.! I would be remiss not to mention the "flubs" that happened just as a cautionary tale, although NOTHING ruined our night. (1) Months before the wedding, we selected our menu including a specific type of fish. 3 days before, the Mansion said the bronzini was no good & they would substitute w/another fish. During the planning process, the Mansion should be aware of what's "in season," so you're not offered an option you ultimately can’t have. (2) wine served was not the wine our parents selected. We chose to have 1 bottle of red & 2 bottles of white open @ each table during dinner. One table had 7 open bottles. WHAT WENT WELL: The Mansion moved their furniture to accommodate our large group/make the space work for us. They gifted us additional appetizers during cocktail hour & an entire dessert buffet which everyone raved about. Food/drinks were good and service was great. WHY 3 STARS ON PROFESSIONALISM? When we first booked, there was an employee who soon left and for a time, I didn't know who I was working with: the owner or the event coordinator. About 2 months after booking we were told we likely couldn't fit for our ceremony, & @ that point we had already printed invitations w/final details. We went back and forth with emails/ meetings and finally sorted it out. I'm type-A & had every detail planned to a T, but in a lot of meetings, the Mansion was wishy-washy on specific details. We also went through several iterations of the invoice which in the end worked out, but at one point we had a $2,000 fee added that was not there before, and when I called it to their attention they removed it with no explanation of why it was added in the first place. All-in-all we had a fantastic wedding, and although at times the planning process was difficult, the end result was worth every bit of stress during planning! -
Quality of service
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Daniella Sent on 08/31/20093.8 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 5.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 5.0 out of 5 rating
The Mansion is a very difficult venue to review. I agree with another reviewer that the buyer needs to be warned that there are planning problems and additional unexpected costs which frequently arise. I think a less stressful (less detail-intensive)event like a dinner party or corporate meeting would be much easier to plan considering the Mansion's unique approach- for example almost everything is done via email. However, the trade off is that your wedding will be in the most unique space in Washington DC, possible one of the most unique spaces in the country. The staff, while eccentric, really does care about their events and they certainly went above and beyond for our wedding on many issues. Overall, I remain thrilled that we had our wedding there and cannot envision having held it elsewhere- but it was a frustrating planning process.The Mansion is a very difficult venue to review. I agree with another reviewer that the buyer needs to be warned that there are planning problems and additional unexpected costs which frequently arise. I think a less stressful (less detail-intensive)event like a dinner party or corporate meeting would be much easier to plan considering the Mansion's unique approach- for example almost everything is done via email. However, the trade off is that your wedding will be in the most unique space in Washington DC, possible one of the most unique spaces in the country. The staff, while eccentric, really does care about their events and they certainly went above and beyond for our wedding on many issues. Overall, I remain thrilled that we had our wedding there and cannot envision having held it elsewhere- but it was a frustrating planning process. -
Quality of service
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Lindsay Sent on 07/29/20083.4 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 4.0 out of 5 rating
This is a very unusual place and they go by their own set of rules, but all in all we had a great wedding and this amazing venue was the reason for it all. It is a bed and breakfast consisting on 5 conjoined rowhouses. It is uniquely decorated with antiques, artwork and rock paraphenilia, and is in my opinion one of the most interesting places I have ever been to. It was great to share this place with my friends and family, and everyone had a great time. Their communication is different than most places and it is definintely not for every bride. if you are looking for something different, check this place out!This is a very unusual place and they go by their own set of rules, but all in all we had a great wedding and this amazing venue was the reason for it all. It is a bed and breakfast consisting on 5 conjoined rowhouses. It is uniquely decorated with antiques, artwork and rock paraphenilia, and is in my opinion one of the most interesting places I have ever been to. It was great to share this place with my friends and family, and everyone had a great time. Their communication is different than most places and it is definintely not for every bride. if you are looking for something different, check this place out! -
Quality of service
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Jennie Sent on 06/25/20072.3 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 4.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 1.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 1.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 3.5 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 2.0 out of 5 rating
The O Street Mansion is a very difficult place to review. On the one hand, it's an extremely unique and wonderful venue. It's an elegant mansion that also has an extremely eccentric personality. The ceilings of the main dining rooms are ornate and dripping with chandeliers, but there are also unusual touches like revolving-bookcase secret doors, a John Lennon theme room, and a two-story log cabin *inside* the mansion. The food is also great and is presented spectacularly. And all things considered, the whole thing was quite reasonable -- once you pay $1,000 to become a member of the mansion's club, you don't have to pay to rent it out, just for the food and services.
That being said, the people there were astoundingly difficult to work with. They're very hard to reach, and the main event coordinator, Sally, will never meet you face to face. In fact, we have very serious doubts as to whether she actually exists. Even if she does, we're sure that many, if not all, of the emails that came from her account were written by H. H. Leonards, the mansion's founder, who goes only by the cryptic initial "H."
The biggest problems were that unexpected extra charges were added into the contract, and strange little rules kept coming up late in the game. They also won't tell you which rooms you'll be getting until two days before the event, which made us a bit nervous and, I imagine, would make some brides very nervous.
I have to say that they really came through for us in the end. The event was spectacular, the food was great, everything was just the way we wanted it, and everyone loved it. The mansion people also made some concessions, cut down a few of the extra fees, etc.
So in summary, I'd say that if you can handle working with a bunch of very eccentric people who are not good communicators and tend to throw in some surprises, it's a great value and a really wonderful place for a wedding reception. Just be careful, be clear every step of the way -- even clearer than you'd ever think to be ordinarily -- and be firm when things get a bit screwy. If you do that, your event will probably turn out just as well as ours did.The O Street Mansion is a very difficult place to review. On the one hand, it's an extremely unique and wonderful venue. It's an elegant mansion that also has an extremely eccentric personality. The ceilings of the main dining rooms are ornate and dripping with chandeliers, but there are also unusual touches like revolving-bookcase secret doors, a John Lennon theme room, and a two-story log cabin *inside* the mansion. The food is also great and is presented spectacularly. And all things considered, the whole thing was quite reasonable -- once you pay $1,000 to become a member of the mansion's club, you don't have to pay to rent it out, just for the food and services.
That being said, the people there were astoundingly difficult to work with. They're very hard to reach, and the main event coordinator, Sally, will never meet you face to face. In fact, we have very serious doubts as to whether she actually exists. Even if she does, we're sure that many, if not all, of the emails that came from her account were written by H. H. Leonards, the mansion's founder, who goes only by the cryptic initial "H."
The biggest problems were that unexpected extra charges were added into the contract, and strange little rules kept coming up late in the game. They also won't tell you which rooms you'll be getting until two days before the event, which made us a bit nervous and, I imagine, would make some brides very nervous.
I have to say that they really came through for us in the end. The event was spectacular, the food was great, everything was just the way we wanted it, and everyone loved it. The mansion people also made some concessions, cut down a few of the extra fees, etc.
So in summary, I'd say that if you can handle working with a bunch of very eccentric people who are not good communicators and tend to throw in some surprises, it's a great value and a really wonderful place for a wedding reception. Just be careful, be clear every step of the way -- even clearer than you'd ever think to be ordinarily -- and be firm when things get a bit screwy. If you do that, your event will probably turn out just as well as ours did. -
Quality of service
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Kate Sent on 11/02/20102 out of 5 rating
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Quality of service 3.0 out of 5 rating
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Average response time 2.0 out of 5 rating
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Professionalism 1.0 out of 5 rating
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Value 2.0 out of 5 rating
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Flexibility 2.0 out of 5 rating
It's true that if you have your event at the mansion, your guests will talk about it for years to come as one of the more unique weddings that they've been to. However, know that the costs that the Mansion tells you about up front (they won't even give you the contract until you've paid 1000 to join) are not remotely near what you will spend and you'll never get a real invoice when they're asking for more money. By real, I mean itemized and presented in a spreadsheet.
Everything is ala carte at the mansion and the fees never end. At the last minute, you may be told they'll put another event in the space. To prevent that will cost you $3500. You'll pay a set up fee (20%) and a cleaning fee and these are not considered gratutiy. To use the in house stereo system is an upcharge and the list goes on and on.
The food and service is OK at the Mansion, but you're really paying a premium for the space. People do love the space, but I'm not sure it is worth it. I could've done my reception at Restaurant Nora for less than 50% of the cost of the Mansion and had stellar food and service. But my calculations are that only 1/3 of what I spent there actually went to food and beverage and the rest was fees.
Last thing I'll say is that O Street is not a drinker's venue. If you aren't going to go the Coors route, you'll have to have them order for you. We ran out of beers and wines very early in the night. And when people were drinking hard alcohol, patron, SoCo, etc. every bottle that they emptied was the last one and there seemed to be no more in stock.
It's true that if you have your event at the mansion, your guests will talk about it for years to come as one of the more unique weddings that they've been to. However, know that the costs that the Mansion tells you about up front (they won't even give you the contract until you've paid 1000 to join) are not remotely near what you will spend and you'll never get a real invoice when they're asking for more money. By real, I mean itemized and presented in a spreadsheet.
Everything is ala carte at the mansion and the fees never end. At the last minute, you may be told they'll put another event in the space. To prevent that will cost you $3500. You'll pay a set up fee (20%) and a cleaning fee and these are not considered gratutiy. To use the in house stereo system is an upcharge and the list goes on and on.
The food and service is OK at the Mansion, but you're really paying a premium for the space. People do love the space, but I'm not sure it is worth it. I could've done my reception at Restaurant Nora for less than 50% of the cost of the Mansion and had stellar food and service. But my calculations are that only 1/3 of what I spent there actually went to food and beverage and the rest was fees.
Last thing I'll say is that O Street is not a drinker's venue. If you aren't going to go the Coors route, you'll have to have them order for you. We ran out of beers and wines very early in the night. And when people were drinking hard alcohol, patron, SoCo, etc. every bottle that they emptied was the last one and there seemed to be no more in stock.
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Quality of service
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