luxury

Ambassador Hotel Wichita: A Luxury Hotel Experience Near Fabulous Downtown Attractions

July 27, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside 2 Comments

Disclosure: Ambassador Hotel Wichita sponsored this post, however, all opinions are my own. All of the photos were taken by me.

Not all hotel experiences are memorable, then again, not all hotels are the Ambassador Hotel Wichita (104 S. Broadway).

A stunning boutique hotel in downtown Wichita, it caters to travelers looking for a sophisticated experience surrounded by luxury. The award-winning hotel touts a long list of amenities making it a sought-after choice for overnight accommodations in the city.

Located in the heart of downtown near entertainment venues, it is within walking distance of historic neighborhoods Old Town and the Delano District. The building also has a rich legacy of its own.

HISTORY

Once home to the Union National Bank and Dockum Drug Store in 1926, it opened as Ambassador Hotel Wichita eight decades later. Fourteen stories tall, it was considered the tallest building in Kansas when it was completed. In addition to its architectural significance, the building also has historical value. It was the site of a student-led sit-in in 1958 at the Dockum Drug Store led by African Americans in an effort to end segregation. Not long after the students were finally served at the store’s soda fountain, Rexall stores across the nation followed suit, desegrated, and changed their policies in stores throughout Kansas.

LOCATION

They say location is everything. The Ambassador’s proximity to some of Wichita’s best attractions is part of what makes it a desirable choice for an overnight or weekend stay. If you’re someone who loves to explore downtown areas by foot or by free trolley, I recommend booking a hotel room. As soon as you step outside the lobby doors, the sounds of downtown Wichita invite you to experience the fun.

HOTEL AMENITIES

Finding a parking space and checking into the hotel is easy. I drove into a nearby parking garage and traded my paper ticket for a hotel-issued parking card at check-in. After checking into my room, I toured the hotel. It’s something I like to do to get a lay of the land. I discovered an elaborately decorated lobby ornamented with oversized chandeliers and modern furniture.

Are you someone who seeks out a hotel with a fitness center? I’m more of a yoga kinda gal, but I appreciated that the hotel’s gym was filled with a variety of machines and racks of free weights. For hotel guests who need to work while they’re traveling, the lobby has a sundrenched workspace with all the necessities of an office.

ROOM AMENITIES

I can’t say enough about the level of luxury at the hotel. My experience was delightful, and I especially appreciated the Premium Corner King room. It was incredibly spacious as compared to other downtown hotels I’ve stayed in. Sunlight flooded the room thanks to oversized windows on nearly every wall. Elegant furniture and decorative finishes created an inviting space. The deluxe room would be an ideal choice for a couple or business traveler wanting comfort matched by luxury.

The room’s amenities include a flatscreen TV, liquor pantry, coffee cart with snacks, and an Alexa personal assistant. For those who need to get work down during their stay, the in-room desk is large enough for a laptop and then some.

Traveling for pleasure? The hotel offers various room service packages, which can include a bottle of wine or champagne with an upgrade. Just imagine yourself relaxing in a plush king-sized bed wearing a soft robe while enjoying a meal from bed. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

For me, it was the details of a hotel experience that make it worthwhile. From oversized bath towels and feather pillows to high-speed WiFi and a comfy couch, the Premium Corner King room provided everything I wanted and more. After exploring downtown Wichita, it was just the kind of room I wanted to return to at the end of the day.

DINING + DRINKS

Thankfully, I didn’t have to travel far for an incredible meal. Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, located on the hotel’s first floor, is a fine dining restaurant that serves locally inspired cuisine.

The impeccable menu changes seasonally. My server told me that a considerable amount of attention is given to the quality of the food they serve from sourcing the ingredients to crafting the recipes – even the mushrooms are farmed daily. My meal was exceptional.

Italian music played as I dined on an appetizer board of chef-selected meats and cheeses. I particularly loved the Italian herb cheese and the fresh made-in-house peach jam. The board was large enough for two to three people to enjoy before ordering dinner with a bottle of wine.

Just around the corner from the restaurant’s dining room, I heard people chatting and glasses clanking. Siena’s bar area was full of hotel guests, mostly business travelers, sipping on wine and cocktails. If I were traveling for work or simply needed a place to meet a colleague for a drink, the lounge area would be my go-to spot.

After devouring my delicious meal, I followed the signs leading to the bottom level of the hotel. I was led into a candlelit foray with a mysterious wooden door. I had arrived at Dockum, a speakeasy known for serving exquisite hand-crafted cocktails.

The moment I entered the dimly lit space I was greeted by the sound of jazz music and a visually stunning room. Pendant lights with old-fashioned mercury bulbs and a large collection of candles illuminated the space. I nestled into my table. It was as if I had been transported to the Prohibition era when gangsters used secret taverns to sell illegal alcohol.

The speakeasy pays homage to the building’s history while providing guests ambiance they won’t find anywhere else in the city. According to Dockum, the rules for enjoying the bar are simple, “Be good to us and we’ll spoil you.” It was definitely my kind of tavern.

I ordered Dockum’s Smoking Gun, a signature cocktail made with Tin Cup Whiskey, brown sugar simple syrup, blackberry shrub, and whiskey barrel-aged bitters. I highly recommend this cocktail not only for its taste but also so you can watch it being made. The bartender aka “pharmacist” crafts it by flaming the shrub’s smoke directly into a small bottle filled with spirits. The magic continues tableside as the server pours the smoky concoction into a glass of ice and lights an orange peel to finish it.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

When you stay downtown at the hotel, you are within a short distance of one-of-kind attractions from public art to event venues. As soon exit the lobby’s doors, you’re only steps from a Wichita transit trolley or electric bus stop that can take you to them. It’s also an easy walk for hotel guests who would rather stroll the city’s urban core.

Art Lovers

Douglas Avenue is the home to beautiful works of art. The city commissioned 31 life-size bronze sculptures by Washington artist, Georgia Gerber, which appear on four blocks of downtown sidewalks. They sit right alongside oversized planters overflowing with colorful botanicals making the self-guided tour a delightful one. Which bronze sculpture will be your favorite? It’s hard to pick just one. I encourage you to seek out Dockum Lunch Counter Sit-In, which is representative of the historical moments that took place where the Ambassador is located today.

Street art is a bonus surprise for visitors to Wichita. Douglas Avenue Art Days is a collection of murals that make vibrant backdrops for selfies. How many will you discover? To view them all, download the app for access to a map and plot your course.

One of my favorite places to view artwork in the city is the Wichita Art Museum. It sits in the Museums on the River district near Riverside Park. The museum houses award-winning paintings, sculptures, and they always have rotating exhibitions featuring the work of well-renowned artists. Don’t miss the outdoor sculpture garden featuring one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art, “Dreamers Awake” by Tom Otterness. Another indoor space to view art, much of which is usually the work of talented regional artists, is CityArts. After viewing its gallery, I suggest renting a scooter or bike from a nearby station to tour the sculptures on display in Old Town between Douglas and Second streets.

On your way back to the hotel, make a stop at our city’s iconic steel sculpture, the Keeper of the Plains. If you visit it at night, you can see it illuminated from the light of fiery cauldrons that burn every 15 minutes starting at 9 pm in the spring and summer and 7 pm in the fall and winter.

Adventure Seekers

If you haven’t experienced the newly constructed Riverfront Stadium, it’s time. The ballpark is home to the minor league Double-A affiliate team, Wichita Wind Surge. Baseball fans pack the stands to listen to the crack of the bats and the roar of the crowd.

Hockey fans visiting the area must experience an action-packed Wichita Thunder hockey game at Intrust Bank Arena. The venue is only two blocks from the Ambassador. The energy of the arena comes alive as our team battles on the ice against visiting opponents. Don’t be surprised if you see Wichitans passionately beating on the ice rink’s glass in support of their favorite team.

Blade and Timber, located in the historic Delano District, is a great place to test one’s axe-throwing skills and “unleash your inner lumberjack.” Why not make it a competition amongst friends and see who’s axe lands closest to the bullseye?

Are you thinking of traveling with family to downtown Wichita? Lace-up your skates at the Wichita Ice Center across the street from Riverfront Stadium. It’s an ideal place to cool off indoors on a hot summer day and practicing pirouettes.

Music Lovers

When not hosting the city’s hockey team, Intrust Bank Arena showcases live music from big-name artists from the likes of George Strait, Foo Fighters, and Pink. I can’t think of a better hotel to stay at downtown if you’re planning to attend a concert than the Ambassador. You can walk to the venue in five minutes and get there just in time for the show to start.

If you’re interested in catching a local band at a smaller venue, consider walking to Wave, Barleycorn’s, Mort’s Martini & Cigar Bar, or Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge – three of the venues are located in historic downtown Wichita buildings.

Shopping Seekers

You don’t have to go far from the hotel to spot boutique shops and remarkable retail stores. One of the best places that I like to direct out-of-towners is Hatman Jack’s in the Delano District where shoppers have enjoyed custom hat fittings for the last four decades. Other fantastic finds in the historic district include All Things BBQ, Zeep Bath, Sweet N’ Saucy, and Bungalow 26.

Family-Friendly

Staying at the hotel with kids? The city’s center is home to several family-friend places to explore and have fun. Take my advice and take the family to Exploration Place. The science center gives museum-goers of all ages hands-on experience interacting with exhibits such as Design Build Fly and Where Kids Rule. Feel like getting some fresh air and enjoying a wide-open space? Naftzger Park is a scenic space/entertainment venue in downtown Wichita. If you’re lucky, you might catch a movie in the park while you’re there during the summer. Nearby, I recommend stopping into Peace, Love, & Pie where they take homemade pie-making to another dimension. Grab a slice to go and enjoy it from the astroturf lawn at the park.

Nature Explorers

Another attraction that is considered a “happy place” for visitors is Botanica. Not your average city garden, it is an oasis in the middle of downtown Wichita. I love walking amongst their manicured landscapes to view an extensive variety of plants and flowers. The roses in the Shakespeare Garden will take your breath away. Kids and adults alike enjoy the whimsical discoveries found in the Downing Children’s Garden. Don’t miss a trip through the Butterfly House.

History Hunters

It wouldn’t be a complete tour of downtown’s finest attractions without a mention of Old Cowtown Museum. Locals and visitors alike have been going there for years to see what it must have been like on the frontier in the late 1860s and 1870s. I know you’ll appreciate touring over 50 authentic and recreated buildings that make up Cowtown. It’s an immersive experience you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to step inside the saloon for a cold root beer or saunter over to the print shop to watch a letterpress at work.

There is no shortage of attractions beyond the doors of the Ambassador. Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or a returning guest, the downtown area is the best place to experience what makes Wichita wonderful. Perhaps I’m a little biased since I’m a Wichitan, but I promise you’ll love your experience staying at Ambassador Hotel Wichita as well as the time spent in the downtown area.

Do you have questions about exploring Wichita’s downtown district? Want to learn more about the hotel? Drop a comment below. I’m always happy to give travel advice.

How to Enjoy Vegas Luxury at The Bellagio on a Budget

October 12, 2016 by Vanessa 13 Comments

A week prior to my fortieth birthday in Las Vegas, my first trip there, I heard Elvis singing in my head.

So, you have no idea how pumped I was to hear the flight crew cue up “Vive Las Vegas” as we waited to exit the plane. Not a gambler, I was unsure if I would place my bet on Vegas. I did and I can tell you with confidence that Vegas is a must-have life experience you simply can’t miss out on. It’s that fun.

I want to share with you the many ways you can get the most out of a few days in Vegas using my super, awesome insider tips when staying at The Bellagio. Yes, you can enjoy Sin City without completely blowing your budget. Let’s do this!

The Flight

We booked our trip two months in advance with Allegiant. It’s not easy departing so late at night (9pm) and the airline’s many cost restrictions didn’t help. But when you’re as hyped for The Strip as we were, it was worth the booking it direct with them.

You need to realize when flying Allegiant that they charge you for EVERYTHING. Want to check a bag? It’s a fee. Want to bring a carry-on? It’s a fee. Drink water? Say it with me…it’s a fee. Oh, and don’t have the agent print your boarding pass. That’s a fee! And don’t expect reclining seats or free snacks either. The reason your flight is so cheap is because they charge you for every detail of your experience to maintain their discount airline status. You may wonder why so many people fly Allegiant. Because it’s a direct, inexpensive flight.

But, I know how to help you survive flying Allegiant!

Roll your clothes in order to get three days worth of clothes into your carry-on. I packed for my boyfriend and myself in one carry-on bag. Yes, three nights in one carry-on for two people and that included three pairs of shoes too. It’s possible to pack efficiently if you roll your clothes and carry a backpack per person on the plane. (I did not carry a separate purse but stashed a clutch bag and an empty cross body bag inside my backpack.) Pay for your bags online in advance and be sure to download the Allegiant app to receive notifications.

Pro Tip: Pack light snacks and an empty water bottle. Fill the bottle at the drinking fountains after you pass through security. Don’t forget to also pack a neck pillow and eye mask. When you sit super close to neighboring passengers on a discount airline, falling asleep on a dark plane is awkward when you doze in their direction. Your neck pillow keeps you comfortable and upright when sitting in the middle seat. Ladies: The cabin is very cool on the flight there, so I recommend wearing socks and sneakers to keep your feet warm rather than some bedazzled sandal and to pack a light sweater.

Transportation from the Airport:

Now you’re ready to head to the hotel and start the Vegas fun! You have several transportation options from the airport to your hotel. Taxis and shuttles are always lined up outside of baggage claim exits. However, be prepared to wait awhile for one. If you don’t mind stopping a numerous hotels in route to your own, take a shuttle with strangers. Prefer a private taxi? Get in line…a l-o-n-g line that winds for a mile inside of a sectioned off area near the street. Share a cab (up to 5 people) and you’ll spend probably spend about $25 to your hotel on The Strip not including tip. When the cabbie asks you, “Do you want to take the route of The Strip or the highway?” opt for The Strip. It will cost much less and you can see the city scenery. Vegas cabbies are typically not friendly and drive incredibly fast.

Pro Tip: If taking a cab from the airport to your hotel, ask them to stop at a liquor store on the way. Stock up on canned beer and wine enclosed in plastic (to take to the pool later). Our cabbie turned off his meter for us so we hurried to make our purchases. The final cost, including the stop, to The Bellagio from the airport was $21 plus tip.

See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you're going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often. — See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you’re going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often.

The Hotel:

You have dozens of choices for hotel accommodations in Vegas. While you could save some money by staying off The Strip or at an older hotel, I want to give you the information you need to stay at a luxury hotel for less cost. We booked The Bellagio as part of a package deal with flight on Allegiant’s site at $800 per person for 3 nights and four days. While that sounds like a lot, consider that the same hotel charged $700 a night only a week later on their site. If there are conventions in town (and when isn’t there in Vegas?), the hotels jack up the prices. Our booking also included a buffet meal allowance of each day. Once we arrived, we used The Twenty Dollar Trick and mentioned that it was my birthday (true) to try to score upgraded accommodations. It worked! Not sure what The Twenty Dollar Trick is? Read about it here.

Conservatory gardens are surrounded by tiny shops and a cafe.

Main entrance to the conservatory gardens. Bellagio staff works on the flowers during early morning hours.

The lobby ceiling is feet of breathtaking hand blown glass.

The desk agent upgraded our room to the floor directly below the penthouse suites that included a nice view of the pool. He called his manager to try to give us a room with the view of the famous fountains, but it was a no-go. We were given a VIP business card that allowed us to the cut the l-o-n-g line at the hotel’s buffet. Our package deal included $80 per room per day in buffet credit, which was deducted from our itemized bill at the end of our stay. Don’t underestimate the buffet! The food options are endless and include more than the usual omelette or prime rib station. You can enjoy endless mounds of crab legs and shellfish or sushi. They serve king crab legs cold, but will heat them up for you by request. Prefer a culinary delight from another country? The Bellagio serves that as well from pastas to unique salads. If you want to eat like a high roller, dine on caviar or eggs benedict at brunch at no extra cost.

Caviar for brunch anyone? The Bellagio buffet options are definitely not basic.

We highly recommend opting for a bar seat when dining at the buffet. The bartenders are hospitable, hilarious, and they work hard to make sure your dining experience is top-notch. One of our bartenders had worked there for 18 years! Each one took an interest in where guests traveled from, how they preferred their drink, and even answered concierge-worthy questions. You can pay at the bar so by-pass the cashier station when you arrive.

Pro Tip: Get a table for the buffet at 2:45pm and enjoy a cocktail while you wait for the kitchen staff to switch lunch to dinner. You’ll get to enjoy savory dinner entree options or the price of a lunch ticket. Sit at the bar to avoid a wait. Sometimes the bartenders will come out and recruit guests to sit at the bar instead of regular seating. Go! It reduces your wait by 30 minutes or more.

The Room:

From the tile bathroom floors to the pillow top mattresses, the room is luxurious. Guests can hang their clothes on wooden hangers in a well-lit amoire that also contains an ironing board and iron, a must-have item when you roll your clothes to pack everything in a carry-on bag. Sit in velvety soft chairs to view the oversized flat screen television or use the provided barware to pre-game before hitting the strip. The only drawback to the room is that it does not include a coffeemaker. After a night of drinking, you need your own bottled water and coffee in the room.

bellagio-hotel1 bellagio-hotel2

Each bathroom comes with a large glass enclosed shower and deep bathtub.

If you prefer your room temperature on another setting, you can change them using this life hack to override the thermostat. It worked for us!

Pro Tip: Do not drink or eat from the provided snacks in your room. In fact, don’t move an item at all to make room for your liquor store booze. The hotel charges $50 if they have to replace items. Call the front desk and tell them you need a courtesy refrigerator brought to your room. The same size refrigerator is wheeled to your room at no cost.

Four elevators whisk hotel guests up and down each section of the hotel. You never wait more than a minute for an elevator.

The Pool:

Swimming or lounging at The Bellagio pool is amazing. The weather, the people watching, the water, the view…oh my! Vegas weather in October was a perfect 75-80 degrees the day we visited so we dipped our toes in the water. It’s not so warm that you can’t enjoy one of their many hot tubs and it’s warm enough you can swim at your leisure in their temperature-controlled pool.

Pro Tip: Don’t order poolside drinks, including water, from the waitresses. A Bloody Mary ($17) in a plastic cup with lid will set you back quite a few bucks and the bar charges a “service fee” on top of your cash tip. If you order a filtered water, you’ll pay $10. If you bring an empty bottle, you can fill it at a water station near the bar service area. Thankfully, we (and other guests we witnessed) were able to bring in liquor store booze in cans and plastic containers without issue.

The pool staff never searched our bags or asked us about it while we openly drank. Also, if your friends are staying at another hotel, have them meet one of you in the lobby and slip them one of your room cards. Couples only need one room card to enter the pool area. Each person is issued a towel upon entry.

Head down to the pool before 10am to claim your chairs.

The Casino:

You can wear casual to business attire on the casino floor and fit in just fine. You will see people dressed sequins and birthday sashes to jeans and t-shirts. You’ll be hard-pressed to get a spot to play a table game on a busy night during a holiday weekend. If you’re not willing to wait, take Uber ($11) to Old Vegas and walk right up to one of Binion’s tables. (Note: Uber is the safest, cheapest, and easiest way to get around Las Vegas. Just remember that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick you up in hotel valet or limousine pick-up areas. Sometimes signs indicate where Uber picks up, but if not, follow the small crowd around the corner to the side of the casino. Ask the valet where Uber pick up is located. When in doubt, call your Uber driver and ask where they will pick you up.

Pro Tip: Like many hotel casinos in Vegas, as long as you’re gambling, you’re drinking for free. Well, nearly free. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. A good rule-of-thumb is to tip them $2-5 the first time they stop by your gaming table or slot machine and then a $1 per drink after that. The more you tip, the more likely they are to visit you. The casino floor is busy on a Saturday so don’t expect to see them often. However, the early morning shift of waitresses is depending on your tips since it’s not as busy so tip big and take advantage of speedy service. The drinks are not weak! You can sip on anything you desire from champagne to craft beer.

Head to Old Vegas (Freemont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don't ya think? — Head to Old Vegas (Fremont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don’t ya think?

The mega LED screen over Fremont street plays a music video show every hour on the hour.

The Grounds:

Many of Las Vegas’ best venues are on the grounds of the hotel. It has impressive restaurants and bars, a Cirque du Soleil show “O”, high-end shopping, and botanical gardens. If you want to watch your budget, window-shop. While it may be tempting to buy a designer purse or watch in one of the many fancy stores, don’t.

The Bellagio has a grab and go convenience shop that is a bit hidden. At one point, I was hungry for a snack while other guests slept in until the brunch hour. I was able to buy whole fruit ($2) in a store across from the convention rooms. Did I mention how important it is to pack your own snacks for Vegas?

Pro Tip: Buy show tickets on the day of the show from the hotel ticket counter, but do it early in the day. If you’re staying at The Bellagio, you save 20%. You can also buy discounted tickets on the strip the day of the show from Tix4Tonight. We opted to see Penn and Teller’s show at The Rio instead, which set us back about $100 per person including taxes and fees for lower level seating close to the stage. Some Vegas show tickets start at $100 or higher, so consider any show under that price a good deal.

This show sold out after we bought our tickets the same day or the show. Buy your tickets during early morning hours.

Not interested in a show? Put on comfortable walking shoes and cruise the hotel. The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden changes with the seasons and is a whimsical wonder of flowers and outdoor features. It’s free and makes a nice backdrop for selfies or family photos.

Just around the corner from the gardens you will spy a floor to ceiling chocolate fountain behind glass. It’s nestled inside a grab-and-go cafe that sells gift items. It’s a must-see stop for dessert lovers!

Sometimes it's fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram. — Sometimes it’s fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram.

The Fountains:

A breathtaking water show, the Bellagio fountains run on a frequent schedule and are best witnessed at night. The most surprising element about viewing the fountains is how powerful the water canons are to spray water to the height of the hotel’s top floor windows. Amazing! A crowd forms around the fountains and cheap beer and water can be purchased off of local vendors with coolers for $5.

View the Fountains of Bellagio schedule here.

Check Out:

One look at the checkout line on Sunday and we knew we were not going to wait in it. We called the front desk and asked for a late check out, an accommodation they provided at no cost. Usual check out was 11:00am but they gave us until noon. Does that mean the cleaning crew is knocking on your door at noon? Probably not. While guests in our party on another floor were asked if the cleaning crew could get in their room at noon, we were not. The hotel key card will work one hour after your check out time.

Pro Tip: Use your room’s TV remote to go to the channel “Check Out” and simply check out with a few clicks of a button. As long as you agree with the charges on the screen, the hotel will automatically charge the card on file. Don’t agree with the itemized invoice? Call the front desk. Bypassing the long lines in the lobby affords you the time to relax before catching your flight home or try one last attempt to win at video poker.

If you’re one of those travelers that has put off a trip to Vegas because you think it’s just a mecca of 21-year-old partiers and high rollers, you’re wrong. Vegas has something for every kind of traveler. Book a trip this year!

Let me know what you think of Vegas in the comments below. What questions do you have? Ask me!

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