Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club
Reviews for Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club
The Portofino is a beautiful place to get married. It's definitely a hidden gem in the heart of the South Bay. Our on-site coordinator was Shelley and she was great to work with; very responsive and professional through the entire process. We got married at their wedding garden along the peninsula. They provided a wedding arch and our florist decorated it beautifully. We had about 150 guests, so with all the chairs on the lawn, it was a bit of a squeeze but very intimate feel to it. (Keep in mind there will be small boats going by, and sea lions on the rocks.) Our cocktail hour was held in the same area. The hotel staff moved chairs out and put in cocktail tables. It was done pretty seamlessly from what I hear. It turned out to be a really pretty location for cocktail hour. Note, there's a terrace that is along the water (south side of the building) you "might" be able to use only if there isn't another wedding reception going on in the Pacific Ballroom. Our reception was held in the Bayside Ballroom - amazing views of the water, Redondo pier and the PV Peninsula.
On wedding day, the hotel provided the Harbor Room for my bridesmaids and I to use (pretty much all day until about 7p). It was wonderful! We ordered breakfast and they had it setup for us with a large round table and had high tables set up with high chairs for hair and makeup. And they provided garment racks for us to hang the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. All super helpful! The room also has a lot of natural light which helps the hair and makeup team and has a restroom (no shower) so a very functional space. Also useful for the bridal party who didn’t stay at the hotel, they were able to keep their personal things in there. Room has a room key, so it’s like having a private extra room for the day. It was a great addition to our package esp. since it had so much room for all the ladies and family come in and out...and definitely a bonus because we didn't have to pay extra for it.
We did most of the bridal party pictures in hidden garden areas along the hotel. Family wedding photos were taken in the "Living Room" through the lobby. It's very elegant and takes great photos. The only thing was it was quite popular and we had to wait to use it. There was another couple getting married that day (they married off-site and had their reception in the Pacific Ballroom) and they were using the Living Room after they were back from their ceremony. (Our wedding coordinator was great in stepping in to let them know we were waiting to use it and they were very courteous.) We knew there would be another couple getting married that day, but we were assured the "Brides" would not see each other. At the end of the day, it was not an issue. Funny thing, there was actually a 3rd bride who was at the hotel waiting for the Living Room for photos (she did not get married there or had their reception there...they were at a venue nearby). From what the hotel told us, the hotel is popular for brides to stay, prep, and take photos. So don't be surprised if you run into more than 1 other bride there. It will still be your special day no matter how many other brides you run into.
Now to the wedding reception and the food...We were able to taste the selections before making them at a showcase the hotel offered. The hotel invites couples getting married there to come and taste the different dishes (including cake, yum!) and meet vendors. I met two other brides there and we kept in touch to exchange ideas and vendor contacts. The showcase was a great resource so definitely sign up and go! Just make sure the food they have you taste is within your package. We ended up going to two showcases because the first one they didn't serve us any of the options from the platinum package. Though what they did serve us, (from the silver and gold package) was just as good. After the second showcase, we ended up going with the strawberry/arugula salad, sorbet intermezzo, and option of the filet & lobster or sea bass. (Vegetarian is always a third option.) Everyone loved the food. I can't pinpoint the appetizers, because I forgot to try them, but we received a ton of compliments about them as well...including on the cake. We went with Hansen's bakery. The hotel gives you an option of two bakeries.
During dinner and with the speeches our guests in the very back couldn’t hear very well because of the music in the other ballroom. Prior, the hotel did make a point to tell us it would not be a problem with the sound, but turns out it was, but only during the speeches. So make sure your DJ or sound people do an extra check on that. Not a huge issue for us; by the time dancing came around, the sound was fine and everyone was dancing and having a great time.
Our wedding was incredible and The Portofino really did a great job in having it come out perfectly for us. I read several reviews about them prior to making our decision and actually spoke to someone who used to work there so we were very comfortable with making our decision. But I’m sure it all depends on who you have working with you. Shelley with the hotel was great and we were lucky to have wonderful vendors including our day of coordinator who was also on top of everything for us. The Portofino is definitely worth checking out if you’re in search of an amazing venue.
GUEST
We had our reception at the Portofino in the large ballroom. Rosanna Harrison was our wedding planner there. She was very friendly and helpful with her advice. Even when I was changing my mind at the last minute. When those week-of-nerves were flaring, she was right there with good advice to calm me down.The view is stunning at this place. We had a plated sit-down dinner and the food was amazing. A selection of Chicken Cordon Blue or New York Strip with Scallops. A strawberry, red onion and raspberry vinaigrette salad to start and I think there was a sorbet intermezzo, but I missed that and even our cake because I was talking with guests.They let us handle the bar in a very specific way. We did the cocktail hour with tray past and plated hourderves, open bar of beer and wine and cash for liquor. Then we closed the open bar during dinner as there was a champagne toast and then opened it up for another hour after dinner. It remained open for cash after that.It was beautiful. The only small complaint was that as the night wore on there was no more servers or any staff. It was really hot in there during the dance set and no one was available to ask to open the big beautiful windows. That was really not a huge issue, but I would recommend to have them open the windows for you in advance ; )
GUEST
The wedding was beautiful, the food was delicious (how many people said it "wasn't wedding food") and they were very helpful. Unfortunately, we had some issues with the catering staff eating some extra favors (that were delicious, homemade cookies that we would have enjoyed for breakfast the next day) and they ate the leftover cake (we had 2 traditional French wedding cakes and one traditional American cake. We did get the top layer of the American cake, but any leftover of the French cake was gone). We purchased these cakes from separate venues, and they should have returned it to us or asked what we wanted to do with them.
Okay, not the cheapest place to have your wedding though I did have it slightly out of season, which made it better. However, it was absolutely gorgeous and so convenient. First off, with the hotel right there any out of town people can stay and just walk to the venue. Also, there are other hotels across the street for some alternatives. Most of my guests were out of town so a hotel along with the ceremony and reception location was key. I can't tell you how many people loved it. Everyone did!! It was a gorgeous hotel and the staff was so friendly. The ceremony and reception room overlook the harbor/marina which makes a great view and great pictures. The downfall was the event coordinator. I actually went through three throughout the year as I was planning it. I wasn't worried and everything turned out okay with the hotel being very accomodating but it was a bit frustrating to be shuffled around. Again, the manager of the group did make some accomodations due to the inconvenience surrounding the shuffling around so that was really nice of her to do. Again, everything went off without a hitch and nothing went wrong at all, which I was waiting for. Also the banquet staff for the reception was FABULOUS!! They were on it all night and taking care of everyone. They were also on top of making sure everything was set for us to take back as well. It truly is a fabulous location and if you don't need a super cheap spot I would definitely recommend the Portofino. It's perfect. Secluded. And everyone loved it!!
We spent the wedding night here at this hotel. It's got a little balcony with nice ocean views. Service was nice, view was fantastic, but the room was pretty small and old.
GUEST
We had our wedding and reception at the Portofino in Novemeber 2008. This location is beautiful, especially at sunset. Things to be aware of if you are having an expensive, detailed wedding- 1. They do not always provide floor length linens. I went over this with them maybe 100 times and at my wedding some of the tables did not have it (I noticed this after in pictures). This was a big deal to me because the table legs just screams unfinished. 2. They do not have the capabilities for extensive lighting in both rooms. We told them time and time again that we planned on lighting both rooms and we were told it wouldn't be an issue. Well, come wedding day the fuse blew and only half the room could be lit and the DJ speakers kept going out! After they told us that were aware of the problem....What!?!3. I was a very organized bride and knew how I wanted every detail. Many of my details were not followed correctly (I even drew them diagrams). I spent too much time and money on these details to have the overlooked by our venue. 4. They didn't show up for our rehearsal, set up any chairs, microphoes...nothing. We were alone in the room. The maintenance man had to get us some water!!!! 5. Thank goodness that we had our own planner...I never saw them once at the actual wedding. 6. They brought a couple into our wedding to sell the venue!!!! There were strangers watching our wedding. If you are looking for a location you can trust to follow their word- you may want to keep looking.
for wedding planning:
Travis was a wonderful wedding planner!!!!!!!!!! Too bad he was let go before our wedding date. the person who took his place was horrible in a big was. I hope the "FAT COW" is no longer employed by them.
GUEST
We had our honeymoon here! It was just beautiful. Magnificent view and everything was just perfect. Wonderful place!!!
GUEST
Our wedding was in 2006, and since then they have remodeled the place they have increased their hotel costs by about $100 more. Knowing this, it can be assumed that their ceremony/reception/catering costs now may be higher as well.
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