Houston Event Centers

I held my daughter’s Quinceanera at Gran Palacio on January 19^th, 2014. Let me start by saying that this location is making promises that they refuse to keep. Once you sign with them, you are screwed! At the moment of my event planning they filed for bankruptcy. I found out not by them, but by mailed letters to me from the court hearings. When I presented letter to Eli she took me aside and said she didn’t know. A couple days later she said all was going to be good but that I had to wait and understand their situation. That’s when I blew it, it was 4 days before my event and I had nowhere else to take my 180 guests plus everythign had been paid for. Being a bankruptcy, clients are legally notified of all their open hearings. Had I known I would have taken my business elsewhere.
The only reason I booked this location is because of the all around/​ceiling drapery. Not only were they in bankruptcy but they were also not in compliance of their permits. On the day of event, all of the entry drapery was removed. Thus leaving exposed non-​treated/​painted sheets of plywood as ceiling. It looked horrible! Same for the stage, which was were my daughters head table was to be at. The day before my event I didn’t know if doors would be allowed open for business because they didn’t have a permit. I had a Fire Marshall at my event the whole evening because they were not in compliance.
I was also NOT allowed to use the upstairs balcony area due to safety issues and them not having permits. Which was upsetting to me because I spent had already spent an additional $ 3,000 for furniture rental as that was going to be used as a VIP lounge area. I paid for a seated dinner style and they insisted that I had paid for a buffet, even after it clearly being on contract! Another thing, I had a food tasting 1 week before my event because apparently their chef was always out of town. I eventually had one just 1 week before my event. When I arrived they did not have the items I had requested because they were having another event so it was pointless to have scheduled me in. I had to go another time in which again they cancelled on me! 2 days before my event I finally had the darn food tasting. This bad management starts right after you book contract with them and start making demands. Since the day I booked I had about 7 different coordinators assigned because everyone either resigned or got fired!
About 3 weeks before my events I was assigned Eli and she too was clueless as to what my contract was and what our event needs were. All I can say from this experience is, I work in the wedding industry as well and I had never received such bad professionalism. I spent a lot of money in this location and they were not helpful at all. They made every step miserable! There are so many other things that went wrong. I just want everyone to know beforehand of how they run their business. And don’t even mind asking for the Mr. Gil (owner) because he just hides behind his staff. However, he might send you his son to lie to your face. Think twice and think hard before you book this location! I have their bankruptcy court hearing letters and pictures of how the venue was in our event and no where close to how it was presented to us.
They tell you they are remodeling but it’s how they catch you! Beware is all else I have to say. The only reason I gave 1 star is because I had in order to post this otherwise I would not have even given them that.
Lorena
Quinceanera Mom