Let me start by saying that I have NEVER filled out a comment card, or written a review for any business before.....ever. As a person who has been dinning out for over 25 years, I have of course, received bad/poor service in the past, but never thought it was worth the trouble to complain. My experience with Hubbard Park Lodge was so bad, that I was inspired to create an account with citysearch just to rip them. I contacted the manager to see about having a very small wedding ceremony (total of 10 people) at the lodge on 12/31. The manager immediately seemed reluctant, I assumed this was due to the date. It should take about an hour and a half tops, and we would be gone by 4:30 p.m. He told me that he would email me the info on the lodge. Two days later, I still had not received any info, so I called back. He was ""suprised"" that I had not received the info, and offered to resend it. Nothing came. I called back, he offered to mail me the info... I said great. Six days later, I still had not received anything. I called back. At times, it would take several days for him to return any of my calls, to the point that it seemed he was avoiding me. He finally emailed the info to me, so I contacted him to finalize everything. I was quoted a price of $75.00 an hour/a minimum of three hours for the space (these are the weekday rates). Even though we would only need the place about an hour, we figured, that was fine...it's a beautiful place. The manager seemed less than pleased that I had accepted those terms....like darn, I haven't gotten rid of them yet. He then informed me that he had qouted the weekday rates from a different site. This lodge is actually $225.00 an hour/minimum of three hours during the week. We said fine. Now he really didn't seem happy. I pointed out the fact to him that he seemed rather combative to the whole thing, and asked him what his issue was. I basically got a ""why, whatever do you mean"" response. I reminded him that this would be very easy money for him, all he had to do was unlock the doors, and turn on the lights for us. Since there would be no food, or drinks, there really would no clean up either. We went to sign the paperwork, and put down the deposit. He informed us there would be an additional charge of $250.00 to use the fireplace.....fine, we said. Oh yeah, there is also an additional charge of $250.00 for the wedding permit. Wedding permit???? we ask. Yes, you have to have a permit to get married in the park. Were not getting married in the park we say, we are getting married in here. Yes, but the park charges us a permit fee to hold ceremonies in here, besides he says, you would have to pay the permit fee if you got married in the park, and since our building is in the park, we tact that fee onto the bill, and then forward that payment to the village. Our deposit check was already partially filled out. I told the manager we would have to get back to him. I called to village of Shorewood....they do not charge anyone a permit fee to get married in the park. They are on a first come/first serve basis. The only thing they charge the Hubbard is basic rent. I pointed all of this out to the manager. He insisted that he never said it was a permit fee. That fee helps to cover their recent remodel, and besides that he said, we also have things like a liquor license, and an electric bill to pay for. He also pointed out that they now have a ""bridal"" room where the bride can get dressed. I told him that I would not be using the room, and then I explained to him that all of these things were the cost of running a business. So, it seems the Hubbard (if they decide they want your business) will adjust what they charge you based on what type of dress you have on. If it's a wedding dress, they're going to try to squeeze every penny they can out of you. Based on my experience, I would not recomend this place to anyone...ever. If I could give them a negative star rating, I would.
Pros: Beautiful Park Setting
Cons: Everthing Else
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