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When this property changed hands in 1995, no one was sure just what, exactly, its faded, over-carpeted floors were hiding. Fast forward ten years and $10 million of renovations, et voilà: Today's Ambassador Hotel is as glam as the day it opened in 1928.
All told, this eight-story building holds 133 rooms and suites. Some have whirlpool baths and wet bars; all feature cloud-like beds with sumptuous linens and feather pillows. Wiegand has made a point to keep things comfy and relaxed. Hence the under-slab heating beneath the restaurant bar—a cozy complement for cold winter days.
1920s glitz, 21st-century cool
The Nostalgic Cocktail menu at the hotel's Envoy Lounge lists the same drinks that were served here in 1928 (The Sidecar, The Pink Lady) along with their old prices (35 cents, 30 cents). The cost has gone up a bit, but if you order during happy hour, you'll get drink No.2 at its 1928 price.
Ambassador guests can choose from the Envoy Restaurant (American cuisine with global flourish), the Envoy Lounge (lighter fare, historic cocktails), and Caffé Deco (coffee, sandwiches, salads and pastries).
Sunday Brunch is creative and delicious: order small plates of "green eggs and ham" (pesto scramble), mini huevos rancheros, and buttermilk pancakes. It all goes well with the Bloody Mary, garnished with string cheese, sausage stick, olives, celery, and an itty bitty beer to wash it down.
Guests will appreciate the quality cardio equipment in the hotel's onsite Fitness Center—not to mention the individual TV screens for each machine.
The Ambassador Hotel sits on the western edge of downtown Milwaukee, near Marquette University. While the Historic Pabst Mansion (of PBR fame) is within walking distance, most Milwaukee attractions are a complimentary shuttle ride away.
