It was awful! About 1 am the ventilation system started rumbling and kept me and my partner awake. I got 3 hours of sleep which was not good as I had long drive the next day..Employees had little interest and were not able to come to my room to listen.Otherwise the room was nice but parking was a real hassle!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our two-night stay at Hotel Donaldson. We splurged for a suite and appreciated the chalet-like decor, views of the city and spaciousness of the room. Staff members were very friendly. They provided complementary turndown service in the evening and delivered pastries to our room in the morning. Fargo is an expensive city to visit and I think that most things aren't worth the price. Hotel Donaldson is an exception!

A Disappointing Return. I’m genuinely sad to be updating my review from 5 stars-->1 star because my stay here last year was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. I praised Hotel Donaldson publicly, recommended it without hesitation, returned this year intentionally, and even purchased their merchandise. That context matters because this comes from a former fan.Unfortunately, this year’s stay was a dramatic step backward.The biggest issue started immediately with parking. I arrived during a blizzard, with snow piled to the curb and no visible valet staff despite valet parking being advertised. I had to self-park and then go inside to find staff, which defeats the purpose of offering valet, especially in severe weather. The following day, I asked the reception about the consequences of not moving my car due to snow accumulation and was told it would be a $30 citation (less than the cost of parking, so I rolled the dice). The next day, I returned to find my car had been towed.To be clear, I accept responsibility for ignoring posted signage. My frustration is not about being towed. It’s about the lack of warning or proactive guidance from the hotel, particularly when this is clearly a known issue. When I later mentioned it downstairs at the restaurant, staff and patrons openly acknowledged that this happens often. That disconnect is avoidable and disappointing.Beyond parking, the lack of basic guest amenities became impossible to ignore. There is no microwave in the room or reliably available at all. I called reception to see if they could rewarm some soup, and was told: “Sorry, no, our only microwave has been loaned out to a long-term guest.” There is also no ice machine, requiring a call to reception and a trip to the desk. “Room service” is limited to the downstairs restaurant’s hours, which do not always include breakfast. The in-room technology is outdated and feels out of place in a boutique hotel charging premium rates.Last year, these were minor quirks overshadowed by exceptional hospitality. This year, they compounded into a frustrating experience, especially during a winter storm when guests are spending more time in their rooms.I’m writing this publicly not to pile on, but in the hope that it reaches someone empowered to make changes. Hotel Donaldson used to be something special. I know it can be again. Right now, though, the experience no longer matches the reputation that once made it a highlight of my travels.

Looking for a great boutique hotel that has unique style? Well, the Hotel Donaldson in Downtown Fargo IS THE PLACE. With only 17 rooms, this independent hotel has real class. It is located in a brick building right on Broadway which is the main street in town filled with nice shops and restaurants. Each room is styled based on a local craftsperson. I was very fortunate to get Room 15 which was crafted by a local glass blower. The room was filled with his work. There was a whole cabinet and shelves filled with glass creations. The room is spacious and the barn style doors to the clothes closet and bathroom add real class to the room. In the early evening, the wine and cheese in the gathering room were delightful while the breakfast pastries are wonderful too. I wish that they offered a full breakfast, but the Irish pub on the first floor focuses on lunch and dinner. The downtown area does offer plentiful street parking with garages that are free between 5 PM and 8 AM. As an added touch, there is turndown services at 8 PM. Overall, a great independent hotel, and they are a part of the Stash Rewards program, so you are earning points at a family of independent hotels.

Very comfortable hotel in walking distance to everything downtown. Staff was outstanding and they provided a nice wine and cheese reception in the afternoon