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El Cortez Don Room
Category: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
702 Ash StLobby Level
(between Kettner Blvd & 7th Ave)
San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood: Downtown
(619) 338-8338
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
15 reviews for El Cortez Don Room
15 reviews in English
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Review from Lo F.
San Diego, CA
7/17/2009
When I found out that one of my best, best, best besties was getting married, I was thrilled. And when I found out that she was going to hold her reception at El Cortez, I was ecstatic! I've heard many a good thing about El Cortez and couldn't wait to finally check it out.
After we found street parking (I don't think there was valet, but we found parking without a problem around 5 on a Saturday), we headed into cocktail hour on the outdoor patio, which was beautiful. The weather was perfect for celebrating outside among friends. The space is gigantic, so people could move between groups without feeling awkward. After all, non-awkwardness at weddings is essential. After a few rounds at the open bar and many a tray-passed app, we were moved into the Don Room itself.
Sigh.
The room was stunning. Her signature black and pink colors were draped everywhere. I don't know how much of her decor had to do with El Cortez, but everything was done to perfection. I loved how the room was the perfect size for a medium-large party. And speaking of size, the dance floor space was excellent. If you've ever been to a wedding with a too-large dance area, you know how strange it can look.
I'm so happy for my beautiful bride-friend, and very happy to know that El Cortez and the Don Room are as fabulous as I've always heard. I will definitely keep this place in mind. -
Review from Erin J.
San Diego, CA
12/9/2011
We had our October 2011 wedding here. Our ceremony was on the terrace and our reception in the Don Room. There is no doubt, the Don Room sells it. The moment we saw it, we loved it. It is historical and glamorous without the stuffy hotel atmosphere. Yet, if I were to plan a wedding all over again, I don't think I would get married here. There were too many hidden "rules" that weren't spelled out in the contract. Regulations that were specified in the contract were constantly changing during the planning process. It was always a cluster of information and seemed that they were making up the rules as we went along.
The final straw for me was when I was told a week before the wedding that I HAD to rent ceremony chairs from a specific company (Tavolo) and to the tune of $700+. Never mind I had already paid for ceremony chairs to be brought in and for about half that price. Again this was not specified in the contract and staff members couldn't offer an explanation for it. They admitted that it was a "new rule" but refused to discuss it further. Another bride told me later that the woman who owns the Don Room is married to the owner of Tavolo which explains that relationship.
While this location in unique and beautiful, I cannot recommend this venue. There was just too much unnecessary grief and hassle.Listed in: Wedding
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Review from Jaime A.
Poway, CA
10/28/2011
The El Cortez is in fact a cool building. I would have liked to get a price to have a wedding reception here, but it seems you cannot be quoted a price without giving them your budget first. I base my budget around a price, they base a price around my budget. Rather not deal with all that.
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Review from Kira S.
Walnut Creek, CA
6/30/2011
I had my wedding here a little over a week ago. The ceremony was on the terrace and the reception in the Don Room.
The terrace is just ok but the Don Room really does look amazing when it's decorated. If rating the quality of the Don Room alone I would absolutely recommend this venue and would rate it a 5.
I rated this venue a 3 due to the terrible experience I had with some of the vendors I was required to use. The El Cortez, as with many wedding venues, requires that all vendors come from an 'approved list'. My expectation was that these vendors would offer a similar level of service to Jessica, my contact at the El Cortez (she was great!). But this is not the case.
My interactions with the florist and the caterer (through Ranch Events) were so bad that we seriously considered taking action to get out of the contract. In the end, the food and flowers were as lovely as the Don Room, but the complete lack of customer service and basic communication skills from these vendors, who I was made to use, really tainted my overall impression of this venue.
If I had to do it all again, I would probably hold the ceremony in Balboa Park, still hold the reception at the El Cortez, but use different vendors for the catering and flowers. That would change my rating to a 5. -
Review from Tanya S.
San Diego, CA
2/27/2008 2 photos
Came here the first time for my former company's holiday party. Parking was a nightmare!! I don't even recall a valet option which would have been nice because it was pouring rain that day.
When you first walk into the grand ballroom.....be prepared for the most breathtaking view! The ceiling is so ornamental and grandiose you can't help but stare like a mouthbreather.
Unfortunately at my holiday party the El Cortez was not prepared to feed and house over 1000 people.....most of which Asians since I work in biotech. Lemme tell you where there is free food there is a swarm of hungry little asian flies-- i mean people.
I don't blame the El Cortez for the rain--it's hard to find room for over 1,000 people. But it was kinda bad business not having enough food for us. They ran out of food within an hour and dessert within the second hour. The tents they put up were leaking and there were inches of water on the ground. Luckily after all the food was gone most of the people left. The only thing remaining were all the younger lushes and luckily the El Cortez did NOT run out of booze that night!
Second time I came here was for a wedding. I'll post up some pics so you can see the nice purdy hotel and my disgustingly cute friends that got married.
Again, no lack of booze. This time great food but it was a smaller gathering of about 100 people. Sit down dinner with steak and fish. Cute candy/chocolate table for you to get your sugar high before wedding cake high.
I'm glad I came here the second time because I forgot the so so time I had the first time I came here. At the wedding (and second function) I had a great time being lavished with good food, good company, in such a gorgeous place.
Take home message.....outstanding place for a special 'intimate' event. (i hope my boyfriend is reading...)Listed in: Another one bites the dust.
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Review from JAYCE B.
Burlingame, CA
10/7/2006
I went to a wedding here. In the ballroom...
Gorgeous.
Some old guy in the foyer wouldn't let me sit on the couches. -
Review from Alzira C.
San Diego, CA
7/11/2009
I had my wedding here in 2007. The Don Room was gorgeous! The hardwood floor is amazing. The history of the Don Room alone made me want to get married and have my reception here. The outside patio is also very nice. During cocktail hour guests were able to see planes come in for a landing to the airport which was kind of cool.
Jessica was my point of contact at El Cortez. She was great!
The only downside was that you must use Best Beverage for the bar. They have some sort of agreement with El Cortez. That's the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. -
Review from Jessica D.
Aurora, IL
7/22/2007
Our company took us here for one of our major committee and staff dinners, prior to the start of our annual conference.
The huge terrace where we were located was amazing because not only did you get to appreciate the architecture of the grand El Cortez, but also of the nearby appartment and office buildings, and gained a better perspective on what life in gorgeous San Diego must be like for downtowners. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful... and when a light breeze just started almost making it a little too cool, it was time to go inside for our dinner. The room we were in (the Don Room) was absolutely amazing with huge wooden support beams and intersting cherub faces looking down at us. They had decorated the tables in deep burgundy with roses and silver accessories, and we jokingly gawped as if we'd been in a victoria's secret special dinner. Very intoxicating with the waveryness of the candles. Just amazing.
The food was very tasty and the service delicate and attentive. Truly an experience. Peole actually live here! It must be nice. -
Review from Amy W.
San Diego, CA
1/28/2011 34 photos
We love photographing weddings at El Cortez! It is such an elegant and exquisite location for brides and grooms looking for a location that has a lovely modern yet classic feel. You can have your ceremony inside the Don Room or outside on the terrace. No matter what time of year your wedding is happening, it is perfect! We love the urban location and the downtown setting. It is close to lots of great hotels for the bride's preparation or for your guests. And the venue takes excellent care of your every need. The staff are friendly and well organized and each wedding we have photographed there has been perfect.
Betwixt Studio
http://www.betwixtstud... -
Review from Melissa M.
San Diego, CA
11/26/2009
I attended a wedding here and it was very nice. They have a little happy hour before the event and everyone gets a chance to walk around and mingle. The view is pretty cute. Both the bride and groom have a very large family and we filled the place pretty nicely. No seats available. The dance floor is huge and accommodated everyone quite nicely.
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Review from Raechel L.
San Diego, CA
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was always so excited to see the inside of this place...ever since I've moved here, I have heard wonderful things about this historic landmark. It's not a hotel anymore, and has been turned into 85 separate condominiums. I was here as a chaperone for a high school prom, and was actually a bit disappointed with the decor, interior, and overall ambience of El Cortez. What I expected to be glamorous, classy, and elegant architecture turned out to be muffled amongst the layout of the reception and the overall decor of this hotel. I understand it's a high school prom, so things have to be sealed off and it isn't the best event to highlight the hotel's key points. However, the elegance and grace I had long associated with this hotel went out the door the moment I walked in and discovered how narrow and old the walkways and bathrooms are. Maybe it will be different in the daytime and with a different event, but I was left feeling a bit disappointed.
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Review from Christine D.
San Diego, CA
2/4/2009
When I lived in Little Italy I would lie on the couch, look out the window and admire El Cortez. Its a beautiful building and a historic landmark in San Diego, as it was the first high rise building downtown. I learned it was also a wedding reception location so when I got engaged it was on the top of my list of venues to check out. I was fearful it would be insanely expensive but actually it was quite affordable!
The other great part is El Cortez makes everything easy. You chose from their list of approved vendors. The vendor we chose did our food, flowers, decorations, and cake. It's like a one stop shop, very convenient for the bride to be!
The Don Room is absolutely gorgeous. A round shaped room with a huge dance floor and beautiful ceiling and chandelier.
The patio attached to the Don Room is gigantic and the perfect location for the bar and some outdoor tables if your guests need some fresh air.
Over all I recommend El Cortez to anyone looking for a classic San Diego reception location. You won't be disappointed! -
Review from Eric A.
Burlingame, CA
5/11/2009
Came here for my cousin's wedding receptio! The place was beautiful. The outiside area was made intothe cocktail area. The inside was a perfect intimate setting for a romantic celebration! I would say it as being a superb place dr holding smaller to medium indoor functions.
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Review from Liz N.
Bergen, NJ
5/27/2010
wow, what a beautiful venue! a friend of mine got married there a couple of weeks ago. it's located in a converted apartment/commercial building so it's really quiet with no competing noise/hullabaloo from other parties (note- hopefully there's a doorman when you get there bc it's locked from the outside otherwise). the ceremony took place on the terrace and provided a lovely space, but the best is definitely the room itself. it feels warm with its darker colors, absolutely beautiful carved wooden ceilings, and "olde spanish" style. i've been to many a weddings- hotels, catering halls, etc.- and this place really stands out for being so original. it probably won't hold really big parties, but it was perfect for this small, intimate affair. if you're looking for a venue in san diego, definitely put the Don Room on your list!
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Review from brent w.
Torrance, CA
5/10/2009
wow... this place is pretty nice. i went here this past weekend for a wedding reception. very classy banquet room. supposedly, the doorman has been employed with this place for more than 60 years or something like that. he's a funny guy and very cordial when you approach the front door.
