Joyce M.
Yelp
The Ambrose Hotel is the best kept secret in Santa Monica among those who know and who have put up with noisy crowds along the oceanfront hotels, homelessness and the smell of human urine, and decided they wanted something better.
if you are like me and want a quiet and safe stay for both you and your car; if you want to avoid loud drunken parties, crowds of homeless and crowds in general; and if you love quiet luxury, thoughtfully designed rooms, clean crisp linens, and kind and warm staff - then this is your place!
The Ambrose has become my go-to hotel in Santa Monica thanks to Brandon, the wonderfully warm and welcoming manager.
You could easily mistake him for an actor, like the many in this city of beautiful people, but he is the gracious and hospitable manager who takes great care of his clients. Brandon has worked several years in the hospitality business in various LA scenes, grew up in Huntington Beach and thus knows the area well. He was wonderfully welcoming and warm! He didn't know me at all, but upgraded me to a room with a terrace because he could, and offered me complimentary slippers which I gratefully accepted. You could tell he treats everyone the same way, he's that kind of nice!
My room had a lovely view of Tartine bakery, the sunset, and a clean quiet street below. The toiletries are by L'Occitane, the robes in the room are by La Bottega and I just may purchase some of the latter for gifts, they are so comfortable! (They run $130 each, and are silky on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside). I have stayed at lots of top hotels and never wanted to take one of their robes, but this one is like angel food cake lol!
The property is small, but thoughtfully designed with a zen garden, indoor/outdoor living room, beautifully scented hotel rooms (love the classic old Hollywood notes of gardenia), the old-meets-new luxury California beach aesthetic, the beautifully appointed rooms. For those who love to mingle, there's a cozy communal fireplace, unlimited beer and wine in the evenings, unlimited tea/coffee/hot water during the day, a beautiful modern lobby/living room that truly feels like a living room. Surprisingly despite the dual use of the communal areas they don't smell of old breakfast odors (a different experience from the typical Hampton Inn for example). There are bikes for the ten minute ride to the beach, or to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or other local establishments, and a Tesla ride within a 3-mile radius. I drove my beloved car and felt absolutely safe to have it kept in their small but safe gated subterranean garage. I actually like the concrete pillars because it keeps my car from getting dinged by other car doors.
This place is a little gem in a safe neighborhood in Santa Monica, close to the best the city offers (3rd street promenade, restaurants, the beach) while keeping out the unpleasant aspects of being in a popular tourist destination - there's thankfully no noise, drama, homeless, unpleasant odors, crowds. Add the magic of warm hospitality and we've got ourselves a winner!
The only downside is that the walls are quite thin - you do hear every door opening, cough, and conversation but the folks who stay here are most likely to be the clean and quiet type, so if you're like me this is the place you want to book!
I look forward to my future stays here! Brandon the wonderful hotel manager and his team will ensure a memorable stay at this cozy, unique and beautiful little property!