The Ambassador Hotel, Milwaukee
Expert reviews
“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.
“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.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Friendly staff
- Free Wifi
- Private parking
All you need to know
The Ambassador Hotel is a recently restored historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The hotel was originally built in 1927 and has since been restored to its original Art Deco splendor, while also incorporating modern hotel amenities.
The Ambassador Hotel features 132 guest rooms and suites, each of which is individually decorated with a blend of vintage and contemporary furnishings. Rooms have been designed with luxury and elegance and offer a calm oasis to retreat from the vibrant city of Milwaukee.
Guest rooms include amenities such as flat-screen TVs with Apple TV options, complimentary Wi-Fi, and plush comfy bedding. Suites at the hotel include an in-room whirlpool and complimentary Bath & Body Works Bath Salts.
One of the impressive features of the Ambassador Hotel is its historic charm and attention to detail. The hotel’s lobby features an original terrazzo floor and a restored ceiling mural, while guest rooms are decorated with vintage artwork and furnishings. The hotel also includes a fitness center, valet parking, and a complimentary shuttle service to the downtown area.
The hotel also has excellent fine dining options at the Gin Rickey restaurant, where American fare is served using seasonal local produce, and the cozy Deco Cafe which serves coffee and pastries.
The Ambassador Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of many of Milwaukee’s top attractions, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Harley-Davidson Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Market. It is the perfect stay for visitors looking to enjoy the city and then retreat to the comforts of their hotel.
Hotel deals & lowest price guarantee
We partner with Booking.com and Agoda. Both booking websites offer the lowest price guarantee so you can be certain you will always get the best deal for this hotel. If you have seen a better price elsewhere, all you need to do is contact the booking website and they will refund you the difference immediately. You can price match right up until the day before check-in.
Location
Recent guest reviews
7 February 2025
Excellent in every way.
The service was excellent, the staff were attentive and helpful. The complimentary shuttle was also absolutely convenient. The property had everything a traveler may need, from restaurant, bar and parking.
6 February 2025
Fun two night stay over Thanksgiving
Gorgeous hotel, clean, nice bar and friendly staff.
Parking could have been a little nicer/closer but no real complaints.
6 February 2025
Will Stay Again
The hotel is beautiful and the staff is exceptional.
The restaurant was just ok
2 February 2025
Excellent
This is my preferred place to stay when we go to concerts at the Rave!
Customer service should remind guests there is a $50 incidental charge.
2 February 2025
Another great stay at the Ambassador!
This is my second time staying at the Ambassador. We were heading to the Rave to see Steve Aoki, so staying at the Ambassador was a must. This hotel never disappoints. From the staff to the room, excellent! Comfie beds and those pillows .... delightful. Love Gin Rickey, who has the best bartender, hands down!! Can't forget the Deco Cafe! Had breakfast before we left in the morning, delicious! And the staff at Deco Cafe were just a delight. Another great stay!
30 January 2025
Very good
It was quaint and beautiful
27 January 2025
Very good
Shuttle was amazing staff was hands down incredible.
20 January 2025
Pleasant
The rooms were clean but I definitely expected more for as much as I paid. The staff was excellent and very sweet.
I expected more for the money that I paid for the room.
19 January 2025
Beautiful old deco hotel with great comfort.
Have stayed here many times now, always enjoy it every time.
They have started charging for parking.
13 January 2025
Great stay
The room was clean and spacious.
The food and bar is expensive. Don't like the mini fridge in rooms, luckily this time it was a normal fridge.
3 January 2025
Beautiful room and excellent service !!
The room was excellent and worth every penny !! We had an amazing time and the hot tub in the room made it even more fun . Excellent service by the staff and they offer free travel bus within 3 miles to go and do some sightseeing in Milwaukee as well ‘
Loved everything about the hotel, I have no Complaints !
31 December 2024
My favorite hotel when I come into town
I love the old building. I love the elevators. I love the nostalgia.
Not the greatest neighborhood, but you can’t fault the hotel for that
23 December 2024
Overall great stay
Very clean and spacious.
The restroom were a little dated and the draining was very low
11 December 2024
Exceptional
Staff was great
Bar forgot to put out food in so we xancelled order
5 December 2024
You have everything we need in one convenient location !
Everything!
18 November 2024
Exceptional
Clean and friendly staff .
1 of the elevators was out of order
17 November 2024
Exceptional
Looks like hotel in Europe, I love it
5 November 2024
It was a pleasant stay
The history of the building
My window had crack in it
5 November 2024
Exceptional
Connie and the front desk staff!
Nothing.
3 November 2024
All in all it was a great stay except for the elevator glitch.
Location was perfect. The Fitz restaurants food was exceptional!
They were having issues with the elevator when we were there. It a huge fan of lugging my luggage up 3 floors.
2 November 2024
Fantastic.
Location was right across from the venue so it was perfect. Room service was excellent.
Hotel was great. Shady looking people hanging around outside though
28 October 2024
Great place
Everything
Location
27 October 2024
A very nice hotel, will stay here again
Easy to find
19 October 2024
Overall it was great besides the location
The bed was comfortable and the view was great
The location, me and my friend were scared to go and get food from McDonald’s down the street that night because of where it is
16 October 2024
Great location
The location was great and the room was clean and spacious
The toilet in our room was not flushing and it was like that for our whole stay, it made the stay uncomfortable
16 October 2024
We really enjoyed our stay here!
We were on the 7th floor, LOVED the view. The Starbucks coffee in the morning was phenomenal!
The bathroom was extremely outdated. The breakfast was very expensive and not very good.
7 October 2024
Didn’t feel safe in area bed comfortable restaurant in hotel which was convenient
Restaurant and bar there reasonably priced. Bed and pillows comfortable
Location not great homeless people walking around couldn’t walk around the area at night Very small bathroom Parking behind property they said there was security didn’t see any didn’t feel safe
6 October 2024
Great
The customer service the food and staff
There was nothing I didn’t like I love it all
3 October 2024
Nice hotel, I would probably stay here again.
Close to the Rave
I used their gym. Alittle small and outdated.
3 October 2024
Beautiful boutique hotel close to the city
Amazing older boutique hotel with a fantastic vibe. It's located a bit out of the city center, but definitely within walking distance if you are up for it. The staff was super friendly and helpful as well. Rooms are quite spacious. Parking is easy as they have their own parking lot.
Would have loved for breakfast to be included as they have a cafe connected to the hotel.
2 October 2024
Very good
classic art deco, great bar and bartender
toilet backed, but staff moved us immediately
17 September 2024
Very nice
Nice people
Beautiful rooms
8 September 2024
Exceptional
It was right across from the Rave where we were going for a concert. Parking was good. Online check in was breeze. Staff was all friendly.
Bar was a bit congested and could have used 1 more helper but not terrible!
6 September 2024
Exceptional
Great location from Milwaukee intermodal station, Complimentary shuttle to American family field and back to hotel was great, not faults at all. 100% recommend
5 September 2024
Fabulous
Close to our favorite restaurant the 5 o’clock Steakhouse
Having to pay for parking. That should be included
3 September 2024
Exceptional
Very clean and great staff
1 September 2024
Can’t wait to stay again
It was like stepping back in time. I was in the middle of a 12 day road trip and this was the most comfortable bed and coldest AC. The staff was superb. The bartender was on point. The location wasn’t great BUT you can park your car in the parking structure and they have a van service that will take you almost anywhere in a 3 mile radius except the airport which leaves you free to sample all the breweries and even a Brewers game.
The TV wasn’t ideal. I think it was Roku or similar. Whenever you turned it on it blasted full volume. Not ideal at 5:30am. Since the med was right next to a window there should really be more light blocking. All around the edges. I doesn’t usually bother me but this was right next to my head. I really had to think about something I didn’t like.
1 September 2024
Exceptional
Historic
Location
27 August 2024
Perfection
Staff food room
Nothing
26 August 2024
Very good
The staff was friendly.
Too far from restaurants and attractions
26 August 2024
Nice hotel but I feel I overpaid. I wouldn’t stay here again, too many options.
The rooms were clean, it was only a 13.00 Uber ride to American family field. Overnight parking garage for 20.00. Would be perfect if you were going to the rave as it’s right across the street. Bed was super comfortable
The neighborhood wasn’t awesome. A little sketch in my opinion. Neither the sink or tub drain seemed to work in my room so my daughter passed on a shower.
25 August 2024
Exceptional
Fun downtown hotel - rustic hotel but clean and quiet.
22 August 2024
Pleasant
Hotel itself, room, and staff were great.
Area is sketchy, didn't feel safe outside hotel. Very aggressive street people.
22 August 2024
It’s a beautiful hotel, but the staff needs to be reminded not to take shortcuts when cleaning a room. I normally do not
The property is beautiful. Very classy and takes you back in time to the roaring 20s.
I can’t say there’s anything I didn’t like about the property.
15 August 2024
Lovely vintage hotel with updated interior and amenities.
Beautiful old well maintained hotel with 30-40's vibe.
Parking could have been better. We did street parking which was available with a permit (free) from Milwaukee City, but I think the hotel would be better served by offering free (or heavily discounted) parking.
15 August 2024
Good location for concert, very nice room
Big room, comfortable bed.
Short staffed, long wait for service at Gin Rickey.
14 August 2024
Exceptional
The location and food options. Our room was clean, comfortable, and spacious.
The parking garage is a little bit of a walk from the front desk.
12 August 2024
Very good
Shuttle, customer service, bar area
N/A
11 August 2024
Fun and interesting
How clean and organized it was. Easy check in and out. Would come back again
N/A
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
- - 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
10 February 2025
Great place to stay in Milwaukee