A landmark luxury residence hotel that survived the Great Depression to become a boutique property and cornerstone of Tulsa’s hospitality landscape.
At a glance
Opened in 1929 by General Patrick Hurley, the Ambassador Hotel was conceived as an upscale extended-stay residence for Tulsa’s oil executives whose new mansions were still under construction. The building has been restored and reinvented multiple times, most recently as a members of the Autograph Collection Hotels.
History
General Hurley founded the hotel in 1929 with an ambitious vision for Tulsa’s elite. That same year, President Herbert Hoover appointed him Secretary of War—a position Hurley moved to Washington to assume. He never returned to Tulsa or his hotel. The Great Depression soon dampened the city’s oil-fueled prosperity, and the Ambassador passed through multiple owners and uses. By the late 20th century, the building stood vacant for more than a decade. In 1999, an investment group purchased the property and undertook extensive restoration work, reopening it as a boutique hotel. In 2014, the Ambassador joined the Autograph Collection Hotels of Marriott International.
What you see
Details about the building’s architectural style and features are not available.
Cultural significance
The Ambassador Hotel embodies Tulsa’s boom-and-bust history. Built at the height of the oil era, it represents both the city’s optimism and the fragility of wealth dependent on a single industry. Its restoration demonstrates the enduring appeal of early 20th-century hospitality design.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Founded: 1929
- Founder: General Patrick Hurley
- Coordinates: 36.14277778, −95.9875
Practical information & getting there
The Ambassador Hotel operates as a boutique property in downtown Tulsa. For current hours, amenities, and reservations, consult the hotel directly or visit its Marriott Autograph Collection page.
Sources & resources
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