NEW YEAR'S EVE MAGIC AT THE MANSION IN GLEN COVE,
​LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
​by
​Kita de Sesa & Gary de Sesa​

For those of you who read our previous article "Don't Leave your Destination Wedding to Destiny,"  you will know that our son was married in November of 2015.  Since he and his new bride were still in a magical, dress-up mood, they wanted to find a place to celebrate New Year's Eve with us, "dressed to the nines," but not have to go into New York City to do it.  After the openness of our private island and beach Jamaican wedding, we didn't feel like fighting the New York City congestion.  So we turned to Google and searched for "New Year's Eve, black tie" and found a New Year's Eve celebration at "The Mansion" in Glen Cove, Long Island.  Less than a half-hour from our home, it was a perfect location and not only was it "Black Tie Required," but it was a "Black and White Masquerade Ball."  How cool-sounding is that?

The price was a reasonable $185 per person for a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and champagne toast.  Plus if you wanted to stay over at The Mansion and have breakfast as well, it was only an additional $180 per couple.

We decided to check out The Mansion in person before making our reservation and it was an absolute gem.  The long drive way to the oval entrance had an old-world elegance that made you think, "This is going to be perfect."

We went inside to discover that the exterior was just a tease to the elegant interior.

We wanted to see the accommodations, not only for the purposes of this article, but in case we wanted to stay over.  We met with the reservation manager, Matt Todd, who made arrangements for us to see several accommodations.  Alicia Washington Bellamy from corporate sales showed us around, shared with us the scrumptious menu and along with Derica Doward at the front desk, made us feel comfortable and welcomed and gave a positive impression of the staff.

The Mansion has an indoor heated pool with hot tub and an outdoor pool. 

Wi-Fi is complimentary and there is 24-hour access in their Overlook Lounge with two computer workstations and printer.

The Mansion has a 24-hour fitness center with racquetball court, table tennis, a steam room and sauna.

There is also a  lounge where you can play billiards.

We would have reserved a room for the night, but all the king and queen size beds were taken, with only double-bed rooms available.  Intimacy Travel just cannot condone Double Bed hotel rooms!

We did, however, immediately reserve the New Year's Eve Gala for the four of us.

Arriving a few days later in the evening was even more magical than in the daylight.

Dressed in our tuxedos and gowns, with our masks secured, we signed in and began the revelry.  

The cocktail hour was a lavish array consisting of an edible martini bar Mediterranean seafood salad wild mushroom risotto with boneless short ribs and crispy onions; jumbo shrimp cocktail; Asian dim sum and wok station featuring General Tso chicken and broccoli and, sweet and sour Hawaiian shrimp;  Slider station with made-to-order Kobe beef, mini franks, and New England lobster rolls with truffle Parmesan fries; Seafood carving five spice tuna with seaweed salad and sesame crusted salmon with sweet chili sticky rice.

The main ballroom was beautifully decorated for the Gala.  We had several dining location choices.  We wanted to be seated where we could partake of the festivities, yet still be able to talk to one another without shouting over music coming from the DJ's speakers.  Shaniqua Dean, food & beverage manager, gave us three choices.  We opted for a table in the Beech Room, where we happened to sit with the congenial friends and family of Jacelyn Dastas, the evening operation's manager.  ​

Our meal began with an appetizer of seared scallops with tuxedo orzo in an herb cream sauce and a Pratt salad, followed by the main entree, Chateau Briand with a mashed potato pinwheel, roasted asparagus and Merlot truffle sauce. They also offered a vegetarian dish, as well as chicken or salmon option.  We all had the Chateau Briand and it was perfectly prepared.  Dessert was a warm red berry crumb cheese cake and lollipop cookie.  All the food and drinks were excellent as was the service.  Our waiter, Brandon Olivera was attentive, yet discrete.  The DJ played a wide-variety of music and people were constantly up dancing without having to be coerced.   Bill Dougherty, a managing partner, checked in on us periodically to make sure everyone at our table was satisfied and having a good time.  At a quarter to twelve, midnight, elegant black and white noise makers, hats for the gentlemen and tiaras for the ladies were  handed out.  Brandon poured our midnight champagne and very happy guests enthusiastically brought in the new year of 2016.  Thanks to Jaime Abrams, the special events manager, for supplying the full names of the staff and management.

We're looking forward to making reservations for a large table of our friends for next year.