Quiet and relaxing

The hotel was an oasis of tranquility and peace. Lovely Asian decor with craftsman style furniture. The staff were helpful and responsive to our needs. There's an exercise room but no pool or spa. A good value!

A nice lil' escape

The Ambrose is a wonderfully quaint lil' escape. Not only is it located away from the hustle of dowtown Santa Monica, The Ambrose offers a tranquil place for it's traverlers. The rooms are well decorated but not gaudy or tacky in anyway. In fact, there's a very refined but zen-like quality to the rooms. The service was impeccable and very attentive. Checkout the cool lobby and garden. Even though my girlfriend and I stayed for only one night, we're with a doubt going to return...

Needs more time

Great atmosphere and very laid back. It's nice to stay in a good hotel that doesn't breathe down your neck, rush out to greet your car or make you pay for parking. I've had two different stays in the Ambrose (totaling about 10 nights) and I have to say there's still a few things to work out. Small things like wall switches installed upside down to wooden floor tiles popping underfoot to no alchohol in the honor bar.

I've seen six different rooms and they vary GREATLY in size and layout.

The nice ones are amazing with big baths and decks. The small ones feel pretty cramped without lights in the shower (pretty dark w/floor to ceiling fabric curtain). The quirks are minor for one night, but if you're there for a week in one of the small rooms it can drive you nuts.

Only high marks for the Ambrose

What a great find. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly, the "premier" top floor room had a nice patio and a good size, beds were super-comfortable and everything was modern, up-to-date and quiet!

Housekeeping did a great job. Tried one of their room service pasta dishes from an Italian restaurant close by, one of the best I ever had!

Nice continental breakfast buffet without charge and reasonable minibar charges. If you like to start the day more American-style, there is a Family restaurant for breakfast two minutes up on Wilshire, and a good Thai restaurant for lunch or dinner. Will definitely come back to this gem! The only thing that would need some adjustment is the water pressure in the bathroom/shower area.

Hip & Cool without the noise and snottiness

Stayed at The Ambrose with our 18-month old and loved it. We were very nervous about staying at this quiet, business-like hotel with a child. but the staff was very friendly and extremely helpful. We loved the "hip and coolness" The Ambrose exueded but without the snottiness that usually accompanies hotels such as these. Overall, it was a very relaxing, comfortable, and clean hotel. Not to mention the great location and gourmet continental breakfast. We would definetly stay here again!

Great Ambiance, Decent Location

We recently stayed at The Ambrose and just loved it. The staff was extremely friendly, the rooms and hotel were very unique and nicely decorated, and the bed was amazing (i.e., mattress, sheets, duvet cover, etc.) We really enjoyed the breakfast and the peaceful atmosphere by their garden pond. We will definitely stay here again and recommend this great hotel to our friends and family.

One note: Their website is a little misleading about the location. It does make you think that they are much closer to the tourist areas (promenade, pier, beach) than they really are. In reality, it is a very short drive, but a 20 block walk.

Wonderful Stay!

We enjoyed a wonderful three days at the Ambrose. This small hotel had all of the amenities along with a much lower price tag. The staff were particularly helpful.

A nice continental breakfast is served every morning and there is complimentary high speed access from the rooms and from a pc in the lobby.

I would readily recommend this hotel even though it did not have a pool.

Gem for the $

Stayed at the Ambrose and loved the luxury, yet cozy feeling this place has. Very relaxing, rooms aremuch more individual in feeling that the average luxury hotel. Breakfast (free, buffet style) was a great way to start the day, very good and great to eat while admiring the lovely japanese zen garden! Staff is very amicable and the whole place has an air of tranquility that makes one's stay very enjoyable for a getaway

Quiet elegance, Centrally located

We stayed for a week at the end of June, 2003, and found the Ambrose to be an outstanding value. The decor is beautiful, the complimentary breakfast was marvelous, and the parking was free! Our room had a balcony that overlooked the walled private garden with waterfall. It is located in a quiet neighborhood just blocks from the ocean, but far enough away from the honky tonk atmosphere to provide a peaceful escape. If being on the water isn't critical, I can't think of a better place to stay.

Very cool!

Great place, great service.... a little off the beaten path but I stayed there for business and it was very nice. Everything is new and I appreciated the quiet neighborhood. The staff and service were the best I have experienced in a long time. The only bummer was at the time I was there a few weeks ago was that room service was not up and running yet, so be prepared to go out to eat or bring something in. The arts and craft/mission/asian style is a nice change from the traditional hotel look and the bed was super comfy with luxurious linens. Aveda bath products and a big roomy robe were waiting in the bathroom as well.... I have made reservations to go back.... Highly recommend and I travel all the time.