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The Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee

2308 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, United States of America. (show on map)

The Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee is a stunning piece of 1920s history, first opening its doors in 1928. Designed by architects Urban Peacock and Armin Frank, this Art Deco landmark became a glittering hub for high-society gatherings. Throughout the decades, it has hosted legendary guests, including stars like Liberace and The Beatles, cementing its status as a true local icon.

After falling into disrepair during the 1970s and 80s, the hotel underwent a meticulous $14 million restoration starting in the mid-90s. The project successfully revived its original grandeur, uncovering hidden details like vintage radio nooks and restoring the exquisite marble floors in the lobby. Today, the hotel remains famous for its iconic neon rooftop sign, which has been a beacon for travelers approaching downtown Milwaukee for nearly a century.

Beyond its architecture, the hotel offers a sophisticated blend of past and present. Guests can enjoy period-inspired dining at the on-site restaurants, while modern room reconfigurations have transformed smaller 1920s-era spaces into comfortable, contemporary accommodations. The historic elevators—featuring small cabs and manual swing-open doors—are a quirky, authentic reminder of the building’s storied past.

Its location on the near west side provides excellent access to Milwaukee’s cultural scene. The hotel is situated right across the street from The Rave/Eagles Club, a historic concert venue, and is just a short trip from the Pabst Mansion and the Harley-Davidson Museum. Whether you’re in town for a convention or exploring local history, this hotel serves as a uniquely elegant home base.

Expert reviews

New York Times review:

“The Ambassador Hotel is a recently refurbished Art Deco gem from 1927. There’s a restaurant, cafe and cocktail bar — called the Gin Rickey — on site. Liberace was the house pianist in the 1930s. And Kennedy and the Beatles visited in the 1960s.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Milwaukee.

Lonely Planet review:

“This renovated art deco gem, on the city’s western side, near Marquette University, is an affordable central option. Architecture buffs will love all of those ‘jazz age’ period details, such as the polished marbled flooring in the lobby and the bronze elevator doors.”

Guest rating

4.1 out of 5.0

Ranked 6th in Milwaukee


This an aggregated guest review rating of The Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee. We have taken customer review ratings from hotel booking sites, search engines, the official hotel website and other travel platforms. This is the average of all those ratings. We only list places that have a guest review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0


What guests liked


Value for Money

84.2 %

Ranked 6th in Milwaukee


We use a smart algorithm to determine the value for money each hotel offers. The score is based on a combination of aggregated guest review ratings and the average nightly rate. The higher the percentage, the better the overall value you receive for the price you pay.


Location

Recent guest reviews

4.5
Jason

22 March 2026

Met my needs with extras

Location to event and bar and food at hotel.

The bar could have been heavier staffed.

4.0
Katie

10 March 2026

My husband and I will definitely be coming back t

The hotel is absolutely beautiful! Staff is wonderful, especially Dave, the shuttle driver!

It’s not a like per se, but for some reason our bathroom lights didn’t work at around midnight until the morning when they came back on. It was weird. The lights and tv worked fine in our bedroom.

4.0
Parker

5 March 2026

Nice place to stay for a show at the Rave!

Great location for a show at the Rave, spacious clean room

Rooms felt a bit dated/worn but this is to be expected given the history

5.0
Kiyoko

1 March 2026

We were very impressed with the decore, cleanness and friendliness of the property.

Easy to get too. Very clean !

Distance from parking and extra charge for parking.

5.0
R

26 February 2026

I would come again.

The shuttle driver was so nice and helpful. All of the staff were helpful and just nice people.

A plus!

4.0
Khan

25 February 2026

Fantastic hotel with an amazing restaurant inside but a sketchy neighborhood

the free shuttle was fantastic as well as the older feel to the hotel, it has a lot of character but isn't outdated at the same time. I really enjoyed to elevator actually, it felt safe but still had that older feel to it!

The neighborhood didn't feel safe to walk around in, even upon arrival at about 5:45, we did not want to spend too much time out alone. It felt worse than lower Wacker in terms of safety. I wish the room had pens and a second chair near the door in the King room though.

5.0
Crossley

20 February 2026

I had a pretty decent stay

Clean and smells great

I love the environment and I love the history.

5.0
Michael

16 February 2026

Very nice, clean, comfortable accommodations in a great location.

Location, exceptionally clean, comfortable room in a charming art deco beauty. Free parking, shuttle to events & outstanding friendly & helpful staff.

Nothing we didn’t like.

5.0
Tomoko

10 February 2026

A comfortable stay!

A well-kept older building with a lot of character.

The exterior looks a bit off-putting, not as nice as the interior.

5.0
Merchant

31 January 2026

Highly recommend The Ambassador

Beautiful hotel with excellent staff. Rooms were clean and co.fortable.

5.0
Angela

17 January 2026

Our go to when we come to town.

Loved the location, and shuttle.

Nothing

5.0
Katrina

4 January 2026

RELAXED. Reset. Rebooted. - The plan of being left alone to recoup was accomplished.

From being checked in by my FAVORITE Front Desk Associate VINCENT down to the friendly night doorman who helped me reenter safely after hours, my stay was almost as wonderful as my last stay. This time i had a visitor, he was so impressed by everything. They will definitely see us again :)

I was happier with Sunday morning room service breakfast than what I received on Saturday morning. Being a private Chef I personally felt it needed a lot more love <3

5.0
Phillip

29 December 2025

Great hotel, not the location

Beautiful older hotel, Clean, with a modern touch

Having to pay 20$ EXTRA to park at the hotel, very ridiculous, should be FULLY DISCLOSED, I would NOT have stayed there if I had known this

5.0
Katrina

29 December 2025

Most relaxing, accommodating and thoughtful hotel I've EVER stayed & will return soon!

The ambiance the decor the setting everything was stellar. I am so glad I chose to stay here at the last minute over a different location! Caught an AMAZING deal on the price for the last minute reservation. The breakfast provided by room service was quick stayed warm well after I arrived home and literally were all my favorite things to eat for breakfast. From the extremely comfortable spacious room, the peaceful surroundings and the infintely polite and genuinely helpful staff (Evening AND Morning), even the side door man was a sweetheart! Shout out to VINCENT at the front desk. So many kind people on the premises was a special treat traveling alone during the holiday season after a very stressful week. This location did not disappoint and I HIGHLY recommend it over the other place across the street. (IYKYK!) #10outof10 #WillStayAgain #BookYourRoomTODAY

Totally nothing to do with the hotel but the area is a bit sketchy after 10oclk, don't wander locally after hours.

5.0
Laura

16 December 2025

I really enjoyed it

Everything! So close by the rave friendly staff

5.0
Dominic

5 December 2025

convenient affordable friendly clean delicious food

Affordable , great location by the rave / eagle club venue , staff was friendly , spacious , unique , non judgmental, room service was fast efficient friendly 10/10 would stay again if in the area for another event

no vending for drinks or snacks late night, absolutely not a deal breaker , will just acquire late night refreshments before check in

5.0
Stynes

3 December 2025

Best Hotel experience in Milwaukee. Putting on the Ritz...

The Ambassador Hotel was like walking back into a time machine , it was rich, classy, art deco styling everywhere . There were beautiful restaurants to choose from, a lounge Gin Ricky's with the cost of your 2nd drink the price they charged in 1928! The elevator was straight back from the early days , the door we opened to our room , 714 welcomed us with a huge room, complete with a 1920s style bathroom and fixtures, a living room with couch amd chair amd ottoman...the 2 beds were to die for ...soft , cozy feather pillows , sparkling clean linens, then the best was the windows...we were in a corner room with windows overlooking the city streets below ( 7 floors high) we were treated to a magnificent view for the price of a budget hotel ( $102.00) . We were able to bring our chihuahua even who loved it too! There is room service and even a Starbucks coffee house right off the lobby. This is by far the best hotel in Milwaukee for the price ..hands down . 5 stars

We had no complaints whatsoever. Even valet parking ! Underground !! So during the blizzard our vehicle was clean and dry .

5.0
Araceli

1 December 2025

This hotel was very nice and convenient to our concert. I would stay here again.

I liked the room. It was clean and met our needs.

5.0
Donna

26 November 2025

Excellent! I loved everything about it, also should mention the food in the bar was excellent!

The staff everywhere in the hotel! They all need some recognition. From the reception staff, bartenders, so kind and helpful.

I liked everything, except we were hoping for some supernatural experiences, which didn't really happen. Room 507 #iykyk.

5.0
James

19 November 2025

Enjoyed it, food was great.

A nostalgic setting of an old traditional hotel that has been updated.

5.0
Shawn

3 November 2025

Greta location to stay for concerts at the Rave. Bar and restaurant on site to relax in.

Very nice spacious room. We went to the Rave for a concert so it's a great location right across the street.
Restaurant and bar located inside the hotel and food was great. On site security so you feel safe.

Not a big complaint but just an FYI...Booked the hotel room, ate and had some cocktails at the restaurant but you still add an additional $20 to park. Not that it's going to break the bank but seems odd you don't include the parking for people staying the night.

5.0
Kristi

29 October 2025

Ambassador’s staff is THE BEST!!

We LOVE the staff!!! Terrell, the shuttle driver ALWAYS makes sure we get to and from the stadium safely. Marquis and other staff will walk us to our vehicle if it’s dark out which is hugely appreciated. Demetrius & Erin the bartenders are always so friendly and accommodating! Their staff is the reason we stay ONLY at the Ambassador for all our Brewer games!

When there is something we encounter that isn’t top notch we talk to management and they always do what they can to make it right.

4.0
Alena

24 October 2025

Okay for overnight!

The lobby is classic and cute. The building is safe. The elevators were neat. The bed was very comfortable. We could see Potowatami Casino from our room.

Only entering one door. Parking is $20, or street parking. It's cold/windy dragging luggage. The room was smaller than most. Smaller than I anticipated. Seems like a hospital room, or tiny dorm room. The furniture needs serious updating. Our chair peeling, and dresser/vanity from the 70's/80's. Carpets need cleaning or changing. The curtains too, they need something...

5.0
Kim

17 October 2025

Exceptional staff! Loved in hotel bar and the ability to order food late into the night. One of my b

Good value and quick. Ordered at Starbucks in hotel.

Everything was good.

4.0
Sellner

16 October 2025

Quick trip to AmFam stadium!

Historic

Architectural design

5.0
Abby

11 October 2025

My New Favorite hotel in Milwaukee!

Vintage hotel with amazing food and drinks. Staff was super friendly and went above and beyond.

Low toilet

Hotel facilities

Food & Drink

  • - Restaurant
  • - Bar
  • - Breakfast in the room
  • - Special diet menus (on request)
  • - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
  • - Coffee house on site

General

  • - Room service
  • - Non-smoking rooms
  • - Facilities for disabled guests
  • - Family rooms
  • - Lift
  • - Safety deposit box
  • - Soundproof rooms
  • - Heating
  • - Allergy-free room
  • - Non-smoking throughout
  • - Air conditioning
  • - Designated smoking area
  • - Shuttle service (free)
  • - Minimarket on site
  • - Paid WiFi
  • - Pet basket
  • - Pet bowls

Business facilities

  • - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
  • - Business centre
  • - Fax/photocopying

Reception services

  • - 24-hour front desk
  • - Express check-in/check-out
  • - Luggage storage
  • - ATM/cash machine on site
  • - Concierge service
  • - Invoice provided

Activities

  • - Fitness centre
  • - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
  • - Fitness
  • - Happy hour (additional charge)

Cleaning services

  • - Laundry (additional charge)
  • - Dry cleaning (additional charge)

Parking

  • - Parking garage
  • - Accessible parking

Outdoors

  • - Outdoor furniture
  • - Outdoor fireplace

Miscellaneous

  • - 24-hour security
  • - Key access
  • - Key card access
  • - Smoke alarms
  • - CCTV in common areas
  • - CCTV outside property
  • - Fire extinguishers
  • - Breakfast takeaway containers
  • - Delivered food is securely covered
  • - Access to health care professionals
  • - Thermometers for guests provided by property
  • - Face masks for guests available
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