AMBASSADOR HOTEL

There is much more to know and tell about this important hotel.  Please contact us if you have anything to share.
 

The Ambassador Resort Motor Hotel was located on 4.5 acres at 5225 Wayzata Blvd., between Highway 100 and Park Place Blvd.  The site was said to be that of a Sioux Indian encampment called Birch Island.  The Indians had moved west by 1877. 

The hotel was owned by brothers Joseph and Oscar J. Husby, who were involved with the design and building of the hotel and management, and oversaw the facilities daily.  In The hotel’s first manager was Gilbert Swenberger. The grand opening was April 3, 1961. The hotel was known for its glass dome over its swimming pool.

Some personnel at the Camino Grill had worked there for the entire 30-year run. In the beginning, the waitresses wore short, see-through costumes to go with the motif of the coffee shop and the Kashmir Lounge.  Joseph Husby's daughter sewed all of the costumes/uniforms, and several of his grandchildren worked in the hotel in various capacities.  

In 1984, the hotel was purchased by David Otto. By 1990 it was owned by a partnership that had defaulted on the bank loan.

The hotel checked out its last guest on March 25, 1991. Manager John Kahler blamed road construction and the two-year delay between the closing of the Minneapolis Auditorium and the opening of the Convention Center. He also blamed the media for routing traffic around the area.

The bank sold the tract to MEPC in 1991. It is now the site of Chili’s and Olive Garden Restaurants.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.