The Ambassador Hotel Sudbury, a three‑star hotel at 225 Falconbridge Road, closed on 26 August 2019 after 51 years of family operation, as reported by CTV Northern Ontario. The property was sold to Sandman Hotel Group, which plans to develop a new 223‑suite hotel and two restaurants on the site. This article traces the hotel’s history, the reasons behind its closure, and what travellers can expect next at this Sudbury location.
Last checked: 2026-06-12
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Property name: Ambassador Hotel Sudbury · Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada · Star rating: 3-star · Closure date: 26 August 2019 · Planned replacement: Sandman Hotel with 223 suites and two restaurants
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-12.
Sources reviewed: local journalism (CTV Northern Ontario), hotel booking platforms (Kayak), heritage preservation organisations (Los Angeles Conservancy), civic business news (Jax Daily Record), and community history blogs (Military Bruce).
No on‑site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification.
Key facts about the Ambassador Hotel Sudbury
- 51 years of family ownership (CTV Northern Ontario)
- Building demolished July 2021 (CTV Northern Ontario via YouTube)
- Sandman Hotel with 223 suites and two restaurants planned on the former site (CTV Northern Ontario via YouTube)
- Sold to Sandman Hotel Group after closure (CTV Northern Ontario via YouTube)
| Property detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Property name | Ambassador Hotel Sudbury |
| Location | Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
| Star rating | 3‑star (Kayak) |
| Closure date | 26 August 2019 (Military Bruce) |
| Planned replacement | Sandman Hotel with 223 suites and two restaurants (CTV Northern Ontario) |
What happened to the Ambassador Hotel?
The Ambassador Hotel Sudbury, located at the corner of Falconbridge Road and The Kingsway in Sudbury, Ontario, permanently closed on 26 August 2019. Military Bruce reports that the hotel remained abandoned for approximately two years before the building was finally demolished in July 2021. CTV Northern Ontario covered the closure and later broadcast footage of the last roadside sign being removed, marking the end of a landmark that had served the community for more than five decades.
The closure in 2019
In August 2019, news broke that the family‑run Ambassador Hotel would shut its doors after 51 years. The property’s longtime owner, Michael Clement, stated that he chose to sell after being approached by a Canadian development group and felt it was time to retire from the hotel business. The hotel had been a fixture for dining, dancing, business meetings, political campaign events, and celebrations, according to retrospectives.
Plans for a new hotel on the site
In May 2024, CTV Northern Ontario reported that the property had been purchased by Sandman Hotel Group and that the company planned to construct a new hotel with 223 suites and two restaurants on the former Ambassador site. As of early 2025, no construction start date has been publicly confirmed.
Why did Ambassador Hotel close?
Available sources point to a combination of market pressures and a personal decision by the owner rather than a single dramatic event. Military Bruce notes that older mid‑scale hotels in Sudbury faced increasing competition from newer properties, and the Ambassador’s aging infrastructure required upgrades that the family ownership was not willing to invest in. Michael Clement’s decision to sell and retire aligns with that broader trend.
Financial challenges faced by older hotels
The Ambassador was not alone. Other long‑standing Sudbury hotels have also closed or been redeveloped in recent years. The site’s location on The Kingsway, once a prime commercial corridor, saw shifting traffic patterns and evolving traveller expectations. An online forum discussion from 2019 speculated that any redevelopment would require “a couple of years” of municipal approvals, suggesting that local regulations also played a role.
The implication: the closure was the result of a voluntary sale by an owner ready to exit, set against a backdrop of industry-wide pressures on independent roadside hotels.
Is the Ambassador Hotel still in business?
No. The Ambassador Hotel Sudbury is permanently closed. The building no longer exists. The site is vacant and owned by Sandman Hotel Group, which announced plans in May 2024 to build a new hotel with 223 suites and two restaurants.
Current status of the property
After demolition in July 2021, the property has remained empty. No construction activity has been reported as of early 2025. The new hotel, which would operate under the Sandman brand, is still in the planning phase. For travellers looking for current accommodation in Sudbury, alternatives such as Home2 Suites by Hilton Sudbury and other mid‑scale hotels are available.
What to watch: once Sandman Hotel Group announces a construction timeline, the site will finally see new life as a modern lodging option on The Kingsway.
Ambassador Hotel Sudbury – property specifications
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 225 Falconbridge Road, Sudbury, ON P3A 5K4, Canada |
| Star rating | 3‑star |
| Amenities | Indoor pool, Jacuzzi, free Wi‑Fi, business centre, restaurant/bar, pet‑friendly rooms (on request) |
| Check‑in / Check‑out | after 3:00 p.m. / before 11:00 a.m. |
| Closure date | 26 August 2019 |
| Demolition date | July 2021 |
| Planned replacement | Sandman Hotel (223 suites + two restaurants) |
Sources: Kayak (address, amenities, check‑in/out), Military Bruce (closure, demolition), CTV Northern Ontario (new development).
Timeline of the Ambassador Hotel Sudbury
- March 1968 – Four Ceppetelli sisters purchase the corner property at Falconbridge Road and The Kingsway, establishing the Ambassador Hotel.
- 51‑year operation – The hotel serves as a community hub for dining, events, and accommodation under family ownership.
- 26 August 2019 – The hotel permanently closes. Owner Michael Clement sells the property to a Canadian development group (Sandman Hotel Group).
- 2019–2021 – The building sits vacant while new owners prepare redevelopment plans.
- July 2021 – The Ambassador Hotel building is demolished. The roadside sign is removed later that year.
- May 2024 – CTV Northern Ontario reports that Sandman Hotel Group plans to build a 223‑suite hotel with two restaurants on the site.
Sources: Military Bruce (original purchase, closure, demolition, development plan), CTV Northern Ontario (demolition and new development confirmation).
Alternatives to the Ambassador Hotel Sudbury
For travellers who need a hotel in Sudbury today, the former Ambassador site is still vacant. Two nearby alternatives are worth considering:
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Sudbury – Extended‑stay hotel with suites, kitchenettes, and free breakfast. Located about 3 km from the former Ambassador site.
- Sandman Hotel (future opening) – Planned 223‑suite property with two restaurants, on the exact Ambassador site. No opening date announced as of early 2025.
Other mid‑scale Sudbury hotels include the Sheraton Sudbury and the Travelodge by Wyndham, both offering standard amenities and convenient access to the city’s attractions.
Our pick for Sudbury travellers today
If you’re planning a trip to Sudbury and need a reliable, currently operating hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton Sudbury is the best alternative for visitors who were searching for the Ambassador Hotel. It offers modern suites, kitchenettes for longer stays, and is located on Falconbridge Road, close to the former Ambassador site and the Kingsway corridor. For those who prefer a full‑service hotel, the Sheraton Sudbury provides a pool, on‑site dining, and meeting spaces.
Our recommendation is based on availability and amenities; prices and reviews should be checked directly before booking.
Pricing context
Standard rates at the former Ambassador Hotel are no longer published. Comparable mid‑scale hotels in Sudbury typically range from CAD 100 to CAD 150 per night for a standard room. The upcoming Sandman Hotel’s pricing has not been announced.
Related reading: Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary South Review · Row NYC Hotel 2026: Reviews, History & Current Status
For a similar property experience, check out The Ambassador Hotel Waikiki review which underwent a major renovation in 2023.
Frequently asked questions
Did the Ambassador Hotel have a restaurant?
Is the Ambassador Hotel in Sudbury the same as the one in Los Angeles?
What is Sudbury, Ontario known for?
What new hotel is being built on the Ambassador Hotel site?
Who was the most famous guest at the Ambassador Hotel Sudbury?
Not to be confused with: Sudbury’s Ambassador Hotel shares its name with the famous Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles (demolished 2005) and the historic Ambassador Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida (now being renovated into a TRYP by Wyndham). They are independent properties with no ownership or operational connection.
If you’re researching old Sudbury hotels: The Ambassador was one of several mid‑scale properties on The Kingsway. Others like the Coniston Inn and the Kingsway Inn also closed in the 2010s, reflecting a broader shift in Sudbury’s hospitality landscape.