They have both crushed and cubed ice. Also of note is that 2 of the bar tenders came from wsky and are top notch

I'm not doubting that the bartenders are good but I was given a drink with crushed ice without telling me that I had an option. I don't recall any place ever serving me a scotch and water with crushed ice before, so I never thought about asking about it when I ordered.

I'm not doubting that the bartenders are good but I was given a drink with crushed ice without telling me that I had an option. I don't recall any place ever serving me a scotch and water with crushed ice before, so I never thought about asking about it when I ordered.

Dude. Give them a week. They're barely open.

Dude. Give them a week. They're barely open.

Dude, I will go back. I will just be sure to ask for cubed ice instead of crushed. It's not a big deal at all. (Dude)

Dude, I will go back. I will just be sure to ask for cubed ice instead of crushed. It's not a big deal at all. (Dude)

LOL. Cool. And I agree it was an egregious mistake to offer you crushed ice. I don't think I've heard of that for a scotch. It's quite funny actually. It's also funny that someone who shows up on the day a place has opened -- when it really hasn't "opened," per se, complains about this kind of thing.

LOL. Cool. And I agree it was an egregious mistake to offer you crushed ice. I don't think I've heard of that for a scotch. It's quite funny actually. It's also funny that someone who shows up on the day a place has opened -- when it really hasn't "opened," per se, complains about this kind of thing.
It's not funny at all. Pete asked me about my impressions about the hotel and the bar and I was honest. It has been open for a couple of days. Should I have said that everything was perfect?

True, he did ask and you were honest.

True, he did ask and you were honest.

We're cool then. I think it's a great venue for a bar and it will be a great success.

Also, I really liked the background music they were playing. I wouldn't call it "easy listening" exactly. But it was very soothing.

Ron Swanson would NOT approve.

They used crushed ice for my scotch and water.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NkwxtydkJk&noredirect=1

Who does that?!

I'm going for a tour of the hotel Wednesday afternoon with Jeff Erwin, who is the general manager. I will update my impressions here.

As I mentioned above I had the pleasure to meet hotel general manager, Jeff Irwin, this afternoon. He was kind enough to take me on a tour of the hotel. Jeff has been in OKC for 16 years and was previously at the Colcord and the Waterford. He said he was familiar with OKCTALK and our interest in the building and the hotel.

I am including pictures but they obviously are not of Will's quality. There were workers in the lobby area doing touch up work so I didn't take any pictures there. The pool has water in it but isn't open yet. It will be heated, thank goodness. Regular room rates will run from $179 to $259 and they do offer a bed and breakfast package. The rooftop meeting space has a great view and features an outdoor terrace which can be utilized.

I want to say again that the designers did a tremendous job and the decor is totally first class.

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Does this place have valet parking? I saw a valet stand last weekend but we drove by there tonight -- considering dinner -- and couldn't see any visible bell or valet services. There was some guy dragging a bag across Walker in the howling wind. It didn't appear "open." Not very welcoming.

Does this place have valet parking? I saw a valet stand last weekend but we drove by there tonight -- considering dinner -- and couldn't see any visible bell or valet services. There was some guy dragging a bag across Walker in the howling wind. It didn't appear "open." Not very welcoming.

Yes, it has valet parking. When I stopped in last Saturday the person who was handling that was at a stand in front of the hotel. He went up to open the door for me as I walked up. I didn't see anyone in front today so I'm not sure if there will always be someone there. Of course it was raining today when I got there. I assume the weather could dictate how that works.

Something I didn't mention previously is that I got to see the room directly above the front entrance. Unfortunately, there really isn't an access to the "Juliet" balcony there. It just wasn't practical to do that.

Another Special OKC Central Live Chat: Ambassador Hotel | News OK (http://newsok.com/another-special-okc-central-live-chat-ambassador-hotel/article/3947899)

Has anyone heard of the Ambassador Hotels going under the Autograph Collection for Marriott? My GM (NCED Marriott) mentioned that OKC is getting an Autograph Collection hotel downtown and the only thing I found online was this, but I'm sure it would also be for the OKC location.

Ambassador Hotel closer to possible Autograph Collection by Marriott deal | Have You Heard? | Wichita Eagle Blogs (http://blogs.kansas.com/haveyouheard/2014/02/25/ambassador-hotel-getting-closer-to-possible-autograph-collection-by-marriott-deal/)

Very impressive

I despise the word "stay-cation" and I can already hear my wife saying it once she sees this place. Nevermind the fact that we live 10 blocks north!
Hey neighbor... I just moved to 20th and Broadway.

Has anyone heard of the Ambassador Hotels going under the Autograph Collection for Marriott? My GM (NCED Marriott) mentioned that OKC is getting an Autograph Collection hotel downtown and the only thing I found online was this, but I'm sure it would also be for the OKC location.

Ambassador Hotel closer to possible Autograph Collection by Marriott deal | Have You Heard? | Wichita Eagle Blogs (http://blogs.kansas.com/haveyouheard/2014/02/25/ambassador-hotel-getting-closer-to-possible-autograph-collection-by-marriott-deal/)

Thanks for posting this.

Seems like a great fit and help the Ambassador chain market their properties to a wider audience. Hope it happens.

The Ambassador in Wichita is outstanding.

Thanks for posting this.

Seems like a great fit and help the Ambassador chain market their properties to a wider audience. Hope it happens.

My understanding is that this is close to a done deal

I went to the rooftop bar this evening and I have to say it really is a first class experience and has a true "big city" atmosphere. It totally exceeded my expectations.

^^^^^

Like

From O Bar tonight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/25/y8a9e4es.jpg

I went to the rooftop bar this evening and I have to say it really is a first class experience and has a true "big city" atmosphere. It totally exceeded my expectations.

Awesome.

From O Bar tonight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/25/y8a9e4es.jpg

Very impressive picture of an ever expanding CBD

I went to the rooftop bar this evening and I have to say it really is a first class experience and has a true "big city" atmosphere. It totally exceeded my expectations.

Glad to hear! Hang out downtown more often, that feeling will be the norm. ;)

Glad to hear! Hang out downtown more often, that feeling will be the norm. ;)

I hang out downtown quite often even though I don't/can't live there. I don't know why you assume that I don't.

New patio furniture!

7946

So due to a quick change in plans, I decided to stay at the Ambassador instead of the Aloft this weekend when I visited. Quite pricey, but definitely worth it. I am kind of exhausted but I'll post a full review sometime later. For the record, I had a great time in OKC this weekend with H &8th and hitting some of the bars that opened since I left. Also, I would love to know what the vacancy rate is running in OKC. I am quite serious when I say there were NO available hotel rooms this weekend anywhere near downtown!

Downtown occupancy is well north of 80% (routinely sold out on weekends), which is an unusually high rate. Plenty of room for more downtown inventory. Citywide is more than 75%, which is an extremely strong showing.

It appears we need more in the upscale category. Perusing Trip Advisor, most of the properties in the top 20 in OKC are all limited-service business hotels. It seems like there's room at the upper end. The Ambassador is fabulous.

Without question we need a new high-end property.

Without question we need a new high-end property on a large, well known reservation system.

So due to a quick change in plans, I decided to stay at the Ambassador instead of the Aloft this weekend when I visited. Quite pricey, but definitely worth it. I am kind of exhausted but I'll post a full review sometime later. For the record, I had a great time in OKC this weekend with H &8th and hitting some of the bars that opened since I left. Also, I would love to know what the vacancy rate is running in OKC. I am quite serious when I say there were NO available hotel rooms this weekend anywhere near downtown!

I'd say the WCWS and the NBA Western Conference Finals had a lot to do with this.

The convention hotel will bring a ton of full-service rooms.

Many have been worrying that the downtown hotel market is getting overbuilt but there are absolutely no signs of that. The more that is built, the more activity, which only fuels more demand.

In fact, I'm starting to think we don't have enough new hotel projects in the pipeline... Only the Holiday Inn Express (and far afield Embassy Suites) is under construction and that will only add 124 rooms. There is the proposed Hyatt Place at the Steelyard, Staybridge Suites and 21c, but none are underway as of yet.

I have a close friend in Chicago, that works high up in the Hotel / hospitality industry. He has said multiple times that OKC keeps popping up in business conversations that he has with his colleagues. They are all discussing the shortage of rooms for OKC and it's future growth.

I can't remember the exact status, but isn't First National Center set to be sold sometime relatively soon? If so, that would be a prime candidate for an upscale hotel, wouldn't it? Possibly even a mix between hotel and housing?

I can't remember the exact status, but isn't First National Center set to be sold sometime relatively soon? If so, that would be a prime candidate for an upscale hotel, wouldn't it? Possibly even a mix between hotel and housing?

It's for sale and there are interested parties but I don't think it is yet under contract.

Owners may be asking too much.

I can't remember the exact status, but isn't First National Center set to be sold sometime relatively soon? If so, that would be a prime candidate for an upscale hotel, wouldn't it? Possibly even a mix between hotel and housing?

That would be a very creative use for that building.

The convention hotel will bring a ton of full-service rooms.

Many have been worrying that the downtown hotel market is getting overbuilt but there are absolutely no signs of that. The more that is built, the more activity, which only fuels more demand.

In fact, I'm starting to think we don't have enough new hotel projects in the pipeline... Only the Holiday Inn Express (and far afield Embassy Suites) is under construction and that will only add 124 rooms. There is the proposed Hyatt Place at the Steelyard, Staybridge Suites and 21c, but none are underway as of yet.

Would be nice if we started getting higher end brands - instead of a Hyatt Place, why not a Hyatt Regency? What if Starwood opened a Westin or W? Or an actual Marriott to complement the Courtyard, Residence Inn and Renaissance? Surely just a matter of time until we start getting the top brands.

The convention hotel will be nice. And don't forget about 21c.


These smaller chain hotels are all the rage right now. Lots of developers and easy financing.

Just a quick note on this place:

A colleague of mine who regularly visits from Dallas stayed here a couple of weeks ago. He's stayed at the Skirvin and the Colcord, as well as a few extended stay places around town. He said he thought that when I have out of town guests visit, the Ambassador is where I should have them stay. He wanted to try the Aloft, but it was sold out.

Also, I think the O bar has the best view of any place in the city and the service was pretty good. I was not as impressed with the restaurant's food, but I may have ordered wrong. I liked the room and the service was good, but the food didn't really impress. Not bad, I was just expecting better.

Just a quick note on this place:

I was not as impressed with the restaurant's food, but I may have ordered wrong. I liked the room and the service was good, but the food didn't really impress. Not bad, I was just expecting better.

Does food from Hotel restaurants ever deliver on the level of a free-standing counterpart. Ever may be harsh, but on the whole, restaurants in hotels seem to consiatently about 15% to 30% further away than you would hope for. Part of why I have never liked Williams running the Devon concepts.

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Does food from Hotel restaurants ever deliver on the level of a free-standing counterpart.

Good point. Sometimes you get some good operators or good outside concepts that are brought in to a hotel, but, yeah, in general, they usually fall short of the expectations generated by the hotel itself. I feel this way about Flint, too.

Does food from Hotel restaurants ever deliver on the level of a free-standing counterpart. Ever may be harsh, but on the whole, restaurants in hotels seem to consiatently about 15% to 30% further away than you would hope for. Part of why I have never liked Williams running the Devon concepts.

Enviado desde mi SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 usando Tapatalk 2

I think the Park Avenue Grill at the Skirvin would work as a free-standing restaurant, they're pretty good (at least they were a while ago when we went, haven't been in over a year).

We were planning on taking my wife's mom to Flint when she came to town next week, but have heard they're still not really up to the snuff they should be, which is definitely a bummer.

Flint is fantastic. Go. There quite often. And while there are the occasional outdoor service issues the food is always very very good

Flint is fantastic. Go. There quite often. And while there are the occasional outdoor service issues the food is always very very good

Flint is junk. Has been every time I've gone. I refuse to go back.

Cool photo of O Bar from the Ambassador Facebook page:

https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10247486_579069338875029_5675741642385488585_n.jpg

Beautiful room, but you pay for it! Cocktail prices in the $11 range (close to $15 with tax and tip), but they also charge for the most basic of munchies. A small brandy snifter with mixed nuts will set you back $7, and a plate of potato chips (not sure if they're made on site or not) will cost $6. Certainly not worth it, and they are the only munchies you can get in the bar area. No food from down below. Place was packed, though, with young professionals and the older set alike. Don't know which were visitors staying at the hotel and which were folks like me who just dropped in for a drink and tthe skyline view. Based on our experience, though, we'll stick with Packard's.

I've heard it's become a gathering place for local power brokers.

Those are some steep prices, though.

Been spending a bunch of time on those white barstools over the past couple of months. For what it's worth, I like places where the drinks are pricey. It all but guarantees that I'm the riff-raffiest dude there, and I'm really good with that. Don't get me wrong; I love dive bars too. But sometimes...no.

I agree with urbanized

... I like places where the drinks are pricey. It all but guarantees that I'm the riff-raffiest dude there, and I'm really good with that. ...

It can be a tad entertaining to be the one others wonder/worry about.

Been spending a bunch of time on those white barstools over the past couple of months. For what it's worth, I like places where the drinks are pricey. It all but guarantees that I'm the riff-raffiest dude there, and I'm really good with that. Don't get me wrong; I love dive bars too. But sometimes...no.

On my lone visit, I was riffing and raffing.

I'm staying at the Wichita Ambassador and it's really nice. What a great brand. I wonder if they have plans for expansion?

Through a set of unfortunate circumstances, I am back in OKC from Buenos Aires soon.

Went to KD's and here last night. The weather was fantastic and we sat on the roof and talked. Only had one drink a piece, tab was around $30. Fernet and Coke, Glass of Wine. Nice view, but…

Well, it's a super nice hotel :D

^

Are you headed back down south or back to stay?

I'll probably be here through the rest of the year, but I do intend to head back to South America, just not sure if I'll go back to BsAs or if I'll look at some of the other cities. If I had to choose now, BsAs is where I'd go…too much I didn't get around to, plus I've built some relationships down there as well.

I'll probably be here through the rest of the year, but I do intend to head back to South America, just not sure if I'll go back to BsAs or if I'll look at some of the other cities. If I had to choose now, BsAs is where I'd go…too much I didn't get around to, plus I've built some relationships down there as well.

Welcome home!

You're still young and will have lots more opportunities to explore.

I'm staying at the Wichita Ambassador and it's really nice. What a great brand. I wonder if they have plans for expansion?

Been there. It's excellent.