September 11, 2014 /

Elation and tragedy, the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles…

From 1921 until 1989 the Ambassador Hotel was THE place to be in Hollywood. It housed dignitaries and stars and in-laws, and played hosts to weddings and the Academy Awards. It had a post office, a spa, a barbershop, restaurants, and of course – the famous Cocoanut Grove. It saw elation and tragedy (the assassination of Robert Kennedy) and it was woven tight into the fabric of Los Angeles.

Designed by Myron Hunt and pictured in 1937:

A ghostly picture of the main lobby in 1930:

The Lido Club:

Next up… The Cocoanut Grove.

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CategoriesArchitecture Culture Design History Hollywood Los Angeles Movies Photography Travel Uncategorized

TagsAcademy Awards Architect Myron Hunt assassination Embassy Ballroom Cocoanut Grove dignitaries events history Los Angeles main lobby Photographs of 1930's Los Angeles Robert Kennedy spa Stars The Ambassador Hotel The Lido Club Feminine Conditioning Wilshire Blvd.

14 Comments

  1. le0pard13
    November 10, 2012

    Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

  2. Patti Kuche
    November 10, 2012

    I learn something new every day – Feminine Conditioning! Who knew! Beautiful pictures and so different to the wreck that it became. I would always look out for The Ambassador sign as I rode the bus along Wilshire Blvd hoping that one day it might be rescued and restored. . . .

    • Vickie Lester
      November 10, 2012

      The Ambassador Campus belongs to the Los Angeles School District now – not rescued but put to good use.

  3. laniersmith
    November 11, 2012

    I saw it many times from afar but never went in. I sure missed something.

  4. Here in Van Nuys
    November 15, 2012

    Feminine conditioning. I misread it at first as “Feminine air-conditioning”….I wonder what that would be exactly?

    • Vickie Lester
      November 16, 2012

      Either way, when I first saw it I found it slightly alarming 😉
      They must be referring to the benefits of swimming.

  5. Edward
    March 31, 2013

    What a fabulous looking place.The pull of the Grand Hotel is very similar to the appeal of The Grand Liner.I prefer my hotels and liners vintage of course.

    Am I write in thinking that the hotel has hit the skids in some way.Sad news of course, but can someone please give me details of its decline?I would be most grateful.

  6. Luanne
    September 11, 2014

    Loved that place! So much history. What the heck is “feminine conditioning”? And isn’t that a man in the photo?

  7. Marcheline
    September 11, 2014

    Sigh….. of this dreams are made.

Comments are closed.