A boutique hotel with fabulous views over the ocean, which is only a few feet away from the room windows. Sleep to the sound of the waves. The restaurant is excellent, with similar views, although must reserve way ahead for dinner, since it is apparently usually full. First rate service. Only downside is that it is out of the city, with nothing else in easy walking distance. Have to take a cab to other restaurants etc. Go to the Victoria and Alfred (not Albert) mall on the Waterfront downtown for a selection of great restaurants and incredibly reasonable prices by North American and European standards. Balthazar specializes in fish and has 250 wines by the glass!

I agree with previous reviewers that they should reserve a block of restaurant tables for guests.

We booked into The Ambassador whilst sitting in an internet cafe just down the road - the hotel were quoting rack rate but we got a night free with an internet deal. There was some initial waiting whilst they confirmed the booking on our arrival but once we were checked through the whole experience was great. The staff could not do enough for us - especially re-organising Robben Island tours & weather reports. The restaurant is good & was busy on the weekend but we had no problem getting a table in the week. The bathroom was small but for the price of the room, the experience was great value - especially the breakfast. Car parking was free & secure which is important as Bantry Bay is a little way out but really convenient for Camps Bay & Clifton.
I would definitely go back.

Recently refurbed nicely but it is an old building so some dodgy remnants exist....window frames/ depressing hallways & why didn't they change the cupboards in the rooms rather than try to fit them in to a totally different looking room? Ours were badly glued up!
Pool & terrace is fabulous & right above the crashing waves. Staff there were great too. Seaview rooms are a must for the view but noisy from the waves. Depends if this bothers you. They are small though, especially the one man bathrooms but who spends ages in their room?
Restaurant is good but you MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE as v popular. The hotel carpark is also a bonus as a car is pretty vital to see the Cape etc & Cape Town does have a significant & rising crime problem.
Some people griped about the one lfit...yes it can be annoying but someone is nearly always there to press the button as you approach & the stairs are next to it & easily accessed so most people took the exercise. The wi fi was our main problem. It was hopeless through out our stay & there is no business centre though they are talking of putting one in. Staff at the front desk were polite especially for travel but the service levels for billing etc were poor with loads of errors even though we checked & tried to rectify things 3 times.
Good location & overall good experience.

Very good value for money hotel. Recommend the suites over the road - the higher floors still have a sea view. Rooms a bit dated but the excellent staff make up for this - they are very pleasant and eager to please. The restaurant is fabulous, but very popular. Book as soon as you arrive to get a table in a few days' time. The complementary shuttle to the Waterfront is very useful. The refurbished pool area is good and the sunbeds very comfortable.