Residence Inn Fargo

The staff made a strong impression with their service, and Tim, the manager, was especially warm, professional, and helpful throughout my stay. The hotel is in a great spot, and the free breakfast had a surprisingly tasty, varied selection that went beyond what I expected.

Comfortable beds and a full fridge are both things I look for, and this place has them. They're getting ready to renovate, but when I'm in Fargo, I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else.

The room itself was clean, though the floor we stayed on needed more attention. I talked with the assistant GM, who seemed receptive. As a caretaker, I notice when basic upkeep slips. It doesn't need to be perfect, but the basics should be handled. I've had similar experiences at other middle-of-the-road hotels lately. If you're paying $130 a night, American or Canadian, the basics ought to be in better shape than at a place charging $80.

The staff have been nice, and breakfast is good, but the stay feels mediocre. After coming here for years, I get the sense the owners are waiting for the place to hit bottom before selling to an investor. The care with the details has disappeared, and this will probably be my last stay. There are better choices in the FM area. The outside looks tired, with rust on the building and handrails, dead grass, and no parking lines. The pool area had standing water all over, including where the drains should have taken it away. The hot tub water was cool. The snack area had lots of drinks, but beyond that it was basically Skittles or a Leeann Chin frozen meal. Costco is a mile away if you want more choices. In my room, the heating and cooling only sort of worked, and I had to reset it when I came in. The fridge made clunky noises, the shower handle leaked badly, and the curtain was barely hanging on.