I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Mount Kisco for two nights this past weekend to attend a family Bar Mitzvah, and I am happy to give it five stars! The hotel is clean and well-maintained. My room, although decorated in typical Holiday Inn style, was quite pleasant and up-to-date. It had all the amenities I needed, including a Keurig coffee maker which made my tea piping hot with no residual coffee flavor! There was also a mini fridge which I found very useful. The bed was truly comfortable. The front desk staff was welcoming, friendly, and efficient, and check-in was a breeze. (I was impressed that I was asked if I preferred the first or second floor; that is probably something that only happens, I imagine, if you check in early!)
I had arranged a smallish family dinner on Saturday evening in one of the conference/meeting rooms. The room was set up beautifully, and the staff could not have been better or more gracious. Although the menu was fairly simple, the food was delicious, which, frankly, I had not expected. For example, I had worried that the salmon might be dry and over-cooked, but it wasn't! It was flavorful and moist, even though it was served on the buffet table from one of those large hot trays. I had arranged for two gluten-free entrees, and I was told by the folks who ate them that they were delicious! The desserts were great: chocolate cake (fabulous!) and carrot cake (scrumptious!). The event was exactly what I had hoped it would be: informal, relaxed, delicious and the perfect venue for my large family to enjoy being together for the "after-party" following the Bar Mitzvah.
I would be remiss not to mention by name three particular staff members. Ryan, the supervisor, was extraordinary! I had made reservations for some of my family, and some of them had made their own over-lapping reservations. A week before the event I was completely confused about how many rooms we had and for whom (to say nothing of the unexpected cancellations)! I talked with Ryan and tried to explain it all. With incredible efficiency, good humor, and kindness, he sorted everything out, which was a great relief to me, and it all worked out perfectly.
I worked with Dawn, the catering sales manager, in arranging the small family dinner on Saturday evening, and it was a pleasure to do so. We had numerous phone conversations, and she was unfailingly responsive, friendly, and efficient. She helped me decide on all the details and she really understood the kind of event -- the ambience, as it were -- that I wanted. The event was perfect and turned out to be exactly what I had hoped it would be, thanks in large part to Dawn!
Although I did not personally meet Kim, the chef, I had the pleasure of enjoying her food. To be perfectly honest, I had not expected to love the food, and I was very pleasantly surprised! The food was expertly prepared and delicious, and everyone enjoyed it very much. Clearly Kim is a gifted chef who is a real asset to the Holiday Inn! read more