Ambassador Hotel (Milwaukee, Kiel, Washington: low income, loft, house)

[tromvest]

My family and I are currently scheduleing a trip to Milwaukee and came across the Ambassador Hotel. The pictures of the room and lobby look very nice, but I have read some negative reviews of the hotel, particularly of the surrounding area. I read that the area just west of Marquette is dangerous. Is the area surrounding this hotel dangerous?

Thanks

[milwaukeeproud]

It's hit or miss. There's a concert venue across the street and I've walked around the neighborhood on show nights and never had any troubles other than some panhandling and some kid that wanted $3 to "watch my car" while I parked it on the street. I figured it was a pretty good $3 investment as my car was not broken into. What exactly are you doing on your vacation? There's not a whole lot of touristy stuff in the immediate area, so you'll probably be cabbing it. I'm sure the hotel will call the cabs right to the front door for you. The Ambassador is great and hopefully will be the cornerstone in the revitilization of the neighborhood. Now if they'd only put some money into fixing that piece of garbage concert venue across the street.

edit: Nevermind, I see that you're the same person who has a kid that wants to go to Marquette so I'm assuming this is a college visit. I think the Ambassador is about three or four blocks from the school. I'd have no qualms about walking from one point to the other.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by tromvest

My family and I are currently scheduleing a trip to Milwaukee and came across the Ambassador Hotel. The pictures of the room and lobby look very nice, but I have read some negative reviews of the hotel, particularly of the surrounding area. I read that the area just west of Marquette is dangerous. Is the area surrounding this hotel dangerous?

Thanks

No, the area is fine. Stick to Wisconsin Ave as an out of towner or Wells St.

The people who stay there are a mix of people visiting Marquette, seeing a concert across the street, performing in the concert across the street, seeing a Brewer's game, visiting family of Brewer's players, and so on.

The hotel was refurbished years back. It's a low cost large room boutique style hotel. Many Marquette students work there. Parking is secure. Shuttles run frequently downtown and elsewhere.

"The action" is downtown. So, you won't be near the action. You will be on the Western border of Marquette's campus. Not much going on there other than the concert venue which is popular.

Most of your time will be spent several blocks East of your stay, both at Marquette and more blocks towards downtown and the Lake etc...

I've stayed there and I'd stay there again. It's a common priceline option for well under $100 a night, closer to $75 or less. You don't "have" to stay there when visiting Marquette. Any of the "downtown" options are fine as well in terms of proximity etc..but it is a solid stay. Nice lounge downstairs.

[Nuclear_Art]

The hotel and parking area is secure even if the surrounding area isn't the best. It's not the area that you want to take a stroll around to see the sights because there really aren't too many sights around the hotel. But downtown is a quick taxi ride or drive away and there are lots of things to do downtown. It isn't that hard to get downtown to where the action is. It also depends on your demeanor and obviously the weather if you want to take the walk. Taxis are abundant if you change your mind.

I was in St Louis Marriott Union Station hotel recently and it is similarly situated. The neighboring area is low income with lots of homeless wandering around but I felt comfortable walking the half mile to downtown. The old Union Station was a beautiful building and it was a pleasure to stay there.

[Fishtacos]

Yes, Milwaukee is a cab friendly city. (not sure where you are coming from) The staff is plenty and outgoing, helpful, friendly at that hotel, and they are more than happy to shuttle you with frequency to and from Marquette, downtown, etc...

As for the above poster, that part of Stl you stayed in isn't the most residential, whereas 25th and WI is in and near a more residential neighborhood. 14th and Clark or so in Stl is the Savvis Center for hockey and sports, the Kiel Opera house and theaters soon to be renovated and re-opened, the "tourist" Union Station mall and retail. More of the action is on and near Washington Ave to the North several blocks, or in one of the urban neighborhoods close to but not in downtown. Next time try Lafayette Square, Soulard, Loft district etc...all close to where you were. That hotel used to be a Hyatt up until this past year or so. It's "quiet" there when no events are taking place, but plenty safe. Soon that area will have re-opened Kiel project and more activity in and near there. The guy who was a part of the Radio City Music Hall in NYC is re-doing it with the financial backing of the owner of the St. Louis Blues, Dave Checketts and investors.

The Ambassador is fine for driving your own car, shuttle from hotel, and cabs in Milwaukee to get you where you want to go. It's about 9-10 short blocks from the heart or center of Marquette's campus.