Myself and two friends stayed at the Ambrose on a journey up the coast to San Fran. We had travelled from Vegas and I think had been spoiled by the delights of Caesar's Palace. The Ambrose served it's purpose and was a comfortable setting from which to base ourselves. However, as 3 girls (aged 27) who wanted to experience the nightlife of LA, we at times felt like the naughty school girls sneaking out of their dorms. I'd recommend this hotel for couples or families, but possibly not groups of younger people. We were also slightly disappointed by it's location - 20 blocks from the beach is definetely not recommended to walk! However, the onsite 'London Taxi' is very convenient for short trips (they have limit to distance they will drop you off).
All in all, a pleasant experience and would contemplate this hotel next time i'm in LA.

We enjoyed our stay very much at the Ambrose, concur with other travelers regarding the good breakfast (great way to start our days off) and the included parking garage (loved parking for ourselves and not having to call valet to get the car, etc.) We liked our room, spacious and clean, enjoyed the decor, and it was a good place for us, and found the staff to be helpful but not overly so which we like as we are pretty independent travelers. It was a very relaxing environment to return to after busy days visiting sites. (another bonus, Whole Foods is around the corner, which we always find useful)

We stayed at the Ambrose for four nights at the end of July. Although it was one of the more expensive hotels in Santa Monica, we thought it was good value for money. The hotel itself has a pleasant arts and crafts homely feel, and the staff add to the atmosphere, making you feel especially welcome and going out of their way to help you in any way they can. The hotel also has it's own complimentary London Cab which is available to pick you up and drop you off around Santa Monica. We used this on more than one occasion.

We had a very comfortable room, with a king bed, lounger, desk, lots of storage, mini bar, free safe, television and DVD player. The bathroom was luxuriously big and the whole hotel appears to boast excellent decor, the hotel is also committed to conservation and the environment which is admirable in a country of consumption. The complimentary breakfast each morning was excellent, and being dairy intolerant, I was pleasantly surprised to find things I could eat each morning, and fresh soya milk available. The breakfast consists of a buffet style set up in their lounge area with fresh fruit and berries, cereals, muffins and pastries, yoghurts, starbucks coffee, herbal teas and various breads. The only comment I would have is there is not always enough tables available at the weekend, but there is the option of taking it to your room.

The location of the hotel is around a twenty minute walk to the beach, or a five-ten minute drive. It is walkable to many shops including the Boulevard which you must visit. Our favourite local restaurants were the Thai around the corner from the hotel, Sushi Roku, and Monsoon. We found it easy to visit Hollywood and Beverley Hills by bus, and The Getty Centre is a must visit by cab or car.

We wish we could have stayed longer at this hotel, it was a very relaxing place and excellent location to be in and the most welcome I have felt at a hotel in a long time.

I really liked this hotel, we stayed in the room with a nice balcony.
It had nice decor, dark panelled modern wood, reminded a bit of starbucks. I'd say if you drink coffee you would want some, I don't drink coffee but I think they served staarbucks at breakfast..

The breakfast is nice, although the seating is a bit awkward for breakfast with people trying to find a seat. (No dedicated breakfast area its kind of the lounge really).

Location is not near anything, like food or restaurants or shopping, but you can use their complementary taxi. The taxi drivers were friendly but one guy I think hated his job, or maybe he just didnt like people thats fair enough though.

There is tons of parking downstairs that is good, and theres a budget rent a car on wilshire that is handy to rent from.

Some of the staff are very helpful and some are the opposite so strange mix of staff.


Only bad thing is the TV was a bit rubbish, bad resolution etc....
we stayed in 2 different rooms and they were both bad, so only thing they failed on was they need new tvs.