Welcome to the Ambrose

Santa Monica's New Ambrose reveals turn-of-the-century California craftman design with an Asian flair

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Early California Craftsman design made prominent by Gustav Stickley , echoes throughout the 77-room Ambrose Hotel. This uniquely crafted hotel nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood of Santa Monica, California, brings together natural beauty and harmony of nature. Featured in Travel and Leisure, the Ambrose opened May 3, 2003 and features rates from $160.

Geared toward a fresh alternative for frequent business and leisure travelers alike, the intimate boutique hotel is designed as an affordable "non-hotel" hotel. "For East Coast travelers accustomed to sometimes hectic bustling hotel locales, The Ambrose offers an ideal location because of the unique residential quality coupled with immediate proximity to headquarters of leading media, entertainment and high technology companies," says Owner Deirdre Wallace.

The Ambrose is like "going home." The boutique's craftsman design translates into a peaceful and quiet Entry Foyer/Living Room with Asian carpets on hardwood floors, handsome rocking chairs and the cozy Fireplace Library with views onto a tranquil Asian-inspired garden with soothing fountains. Ambrosial chants are piped into the environmental music system.

Guest quarters sport true comfort: Chenille duvets, deep red accent pillows and terraces with teak furniture and trellises. Personalized service is paramount. Sunrise ushers in a healthful continental breakfast provided by Drago, one of Santa Monica's finest restaurants. A 24-hour in-room dining menu will also be provided by this renowned dining establishment.

The Study, with its oversized picture window, peers into the lush garden. Designed for intimate meetings of up to 10, it is complemented by locally commissioned artwork and up-to-the-minute technology.

The state-of-the-art, Rec Room feels like one's own personal exercise room, with its comprehensive library of instructional fitness and yoga videos. After taking a walk or jog in the nearby residential neighborhood, chilled towels are provided for refreshment. Personalized lockers are a special fitness-related feature of the hotel. Frequent travelers have the luxury of storing their bulky athletic gear and garments for return stays. The hotel staff has the garments freshly laundered and ready for use upon their return. This eliminates the need to take these fitness items cross country while traveling.

According to Michael White, Senior Partner at the architectural design firm HLW, the Ambrose Hotel is a unique boutique hotel nestled within Santa Monica's residential neighborhood. "This Arts and Crafts inspired hotel offers an intimate scale and attention to detail rarely found in today's hotel market. The interior design is filled with Asian influences commonly found in Arts and Crafts style designs."

The core aspect of this boutique design is a signature Asian-inspired outdoor garden where climbing ivy traverse the exterior limestone and stucco structure. Guests stroll along a covered pathway past lush plantings and a serene Koi pond surrounded by Evergreen Pear and Cajeput trees. At the hotel entrance, a Prairie-style geometric stained glass window attracts guests to the Entry Foyer and into the Living Room.

Travelers retreat to the secluded Fireside Library where dark wood walls create an intimate setting for private conversation and a place to meet. On cooler evenings, guests cozy up in front of the chiseled stone fireplace accented by warm lighting. The Study, the hotel's meeting room, is designed in dark woods and features a refreshing view of the peaceful Asian-inspired garden and is wired with state-of-the-art equipment.

The Living Room provides a tranquil respite. Seating is reminiscent of ancient dwellings where travelers gather to converse, read, or play. This intimate interior space highlights Oak floors adorned with Oriental area rugs. Plush sofas and lounging chairs accented with brown and camel colored leather add harmony to this interior space. Living Room focal points include handsomely appointed objets d'art and Asian antiques.

At sunset, a brilliant light passes through the stained glass window and golden hues illuminate the Living Room. A rare Asian screen crafted from a two-toned stained cherry wood decorates the reception desk.

A restful ambiance permeates the guest quarters, which feature rich two-tone cherry wood paneled vestibules and a full-size architectural mirror. Oak hardwood floors accented with inset Oriental rug further enhance the sense of arrival.

Mission-style slated headboards pair beautifully with the chenille duvet covers in "green tea" tones. Textured accent pillows with touches of sangria create a comfort zone for the guests. A bedside lamp fashioned from nickel and wood is crowned with a crisp white linen shade. Windows are treated with custom draperies showcasing a geometric design and look out onto decks or terraces. Terraces are furnished with exotic teak seating, lush potted plants, and trellises.

The contemporary bathrooms are embellished with chrome, limestone countertops and Gasgon blue floors. Japanese-style black lacquer boxes house all-natural amenities and dark wood comprise open shelving for towels. Dark, cherry-stained framed mirrors against light gold and linen textured wall-coverings also define the room's residential status.

The contemporary bathrooms are embellished with chrome, limestone countertops and Gasgon blue floors. Japanese-style black lacquer boxes house all-natural amenities and dark wood comprise open shelving for towels. Dark, cherry-stained framed mirrors against light gold and linen textured wall-coverings also define the room's residential status.

Beginning in late 2003, complimentary transportation to the Santa Monica environs will be provided by the hotel's own London taxi.

Upscale tranquility and refreshing affordability characterize The Ambrose, a uniquely crafted boutique hotel in residential Santa Monica, California. Fusing 20th century Craftsman style with a timeless Asian influence, this "non-hotel" hotel opens the door to harmonious comfort and guest well-being.

The Ambrose Hotel Group, was formed in 2000 as the umbrella company for multiple new hospitality concepts under development.