Bismarck's BEST Hotel? Fairfield Inn & Suites South Bismarck Review!
Fairfield Inn & Suites South Bismarck: My Honest Take (Brace Yourselves!)
Alright, folks, buckle up. This isn't your sanitized, PR-approved hotel review. This is the real deal, warts and all, about the Fairfield Inn & Suites South Bismarck. I just got back, and my brain is still processing the sheer… Bismarck-ness of it all. Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility: (Important!)
Okay, first things first. I'm not disabled, but I did take a good hard look at accessibility, because, let's be real, it's the right thing to do. They seem to have it sorted. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Elevators? Check. Though, let's be honest, I didn't spend a ton of time actually testing the elevators, ya know? Just the impression I got.
Internet: The Great Wi-Fi Debacle (aka, My Personal Hell)
Oh, the internet. The bane of my existence. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (They scream from the rooftops, probably on a banner). And then reality kicks in. Now, I'm not exaggerating when I say I spent a good hour and a half trying to connect. I kept getting that spinning wheel of doom. It felt like dialing a rotary phone in the 90s, back when you had to use those dial-up modems! Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN… It was all a cruel joke. I ended up having to, actually, go down to the lobby and sit in one of those uncomfortable armchairs to get any work done. The Wi-Fi in the public areas actually worked (relatively) better.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling (Kinda) Safe… Most of the Time
Okay, this is where they actually did a decent job. The lobby was spotless. Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. I'm not sure if they used anti-viral cleaning products, but everything looked clean. Rooms sanitized between stays, they say. I didn't bring a UV light to check, so I'll take their word for it. I did notice some individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, which was nice.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast and the Great Waffle Saga
The breakfast situation? Let's just say it was… memorable. Breakfast buffet! I'm a sucker for a good waffle. And they had waffles. Except, the waffle maker… oh, the waffle maker. It took me, probably, a solid five minutes, and a lot of button mashing to get a waffle that wasn't burnt to a crisp. Then, the syrup dispenser… It was sticky and… (I’m shuddering remembering it) I don’t want to talk about it. But really, it was what you'd expect: scrambled eggs, some sad-looking sausage. They had some Asian breakfast options, but I'm not sure I was brave enough to try them. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes. And I needed a lot of it after the waffle maker incident.
Services and Conveniences: Trying to Adult
They had the usual: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, luggage storage, concierge. I tried to use the cash withdrawal machine but it was out of order, so I had to go to the bank, the small inconveniences. I didn't need to use the dry cleaning, the whole time as I live in a town where mostly people dress in sports clothes or jeans.
For the Kids: Not My Department, But…
I didn't have any kids with me, but they did have, I believe, family/child friendly. I saw a vending machine with candy, so there's that.
Access: Security and Stuff
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, front desk [24-hour]. I felt safe. Which is more than I can say for some hotels I've stayed in.
Getting Around: Parking and the Vast North Dakota Landscape
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]. Perfect. Plenty of parking. You need a car in Bismarck, unless you want to spend your vacation walking everywhere, which, honestly, might not be that bad given the hotel’s Internet.
Available in all rooms: The Nitty Gritty
Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of the room:
- Air conditioning: Worked! Crucial in North Dakota in the summer.
- Alarm clock: Obnoxious, as usual.
- Bathrobes: Nope. This ain’t the Ritz, folks.
- Bathtub/Shower: Standard.
- Blackout curtains: A lifesaver, given how bright the sun can be.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yay! This made up for the waffle maker, even if the coffee was also pretty average.
- Desk/Laptop workspace: A necessity, given the Internet issues.
- Extra long bed: Comfortably long.
- Hair dryer: A must-have.
- In-room safe box: Didn’t need it.
- Mini bar: Surprisingly empty.
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- Refrigerator: Useful for storing leftovers from the breakfast buffet that never went to waste.
- Satellite/cable channels: Something to watch when the internet failed.
- Seating area: Comfy enough.
- Wi-Fi [free]: (See above… still shuddering.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, Attempt To)
Swimming pool [outdoor]: I took one look and decided to just stay in my room with the subpar wifi. Gym/fitness: Didn't go. Spa/sauna: Nope. Honestly, this isn't exactly a spa destination, although I could have definitely used a massage after dealing with that darn waffle maker.
My Verdict?
Look, the Fairfield Inn & Suites South Bismarck isn't going to blow your mind. It's a solid, functional hotel. It has its quirks (ahem, the internet, waffle maker), and it's not exactly a luxury experience. But it's clean, the staff is friendly (despite being slightly overworked). It's a good base for exploring Bismarck, even if "exploring Bismarck" mostly means driving around and marveling at the endless flatlands. Would I stay there again? Probably. Mainly because I'm used to it now. But I'd bring my own syrup. And a backup internet connection. Just in case.
Galveston Getaway: Unbelievable Waterpark Inn!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Bismarck escapade! Fairfield Inn & Suites Bismarck South, here I come! My itinerary? Ha! Bless your heart. It's more of a "suggested route with a high probability of detour" than a strict schedule. Let's see how this disaster… ahem… adventure unfolds.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
- 1:00 PM: Land in Bismarck. Okay, so far, so good. The flight was… well, it was. Let's just say the guy behind me apparently considered my seat his personal recliner. I swear, I felt his knees several times. Note to self: invest in a personal airspace shield.
- 1:30 PM: Pick up rental car. Pray the GPS doesn’t lead me into a ditch. (Been there, done that, in… uh… ahem… Wyoming. Let's not talk about it.)
- 2:30 PM: Arrive at Fairfield Inn & Suites. Checked in… and got a room with a view of… a parking lot. Well, at least it's not the back of the parking lot. Silver linings, people! Check out the room, it's… serviceable. You know, the kind of room that screams, "We've seen a lot of travelers, and we're over it."
- 3:00 PM: Unpack. Attempt to find a comfortable spot among the plethora of travel essentials. I swear, every time I travel, I feel like I have more stuff!
- 4:00 PM: Explore the hotel. Check out the indoor pool. The promise of a pre-dinner swim is the only thing keeping me going.
- 5:00 PM: Pre-Dinner Stroll. Wander into the lobby for some coffee. The complimentary breakfast looks alright for the next day, but I'm not gonna eat before dinner.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant (TBD). Research time! Yelp, here I come! Pray for something that doesn't involve deep-fried prairie oysters. (Okay, maybe I'll try one…)
- 7:30 PM: Dinner itself! I chose a restaurant in town that sounded like a cute, cozy, and modern American restaurant.
- 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Collapse on the bed. Flip through channels. Decide to skip the local news. My brain is already crammed after a long day.
- 9:30 PM: "Early" to bed. (Yeah, right. I'll be scrolling through my phone until 11:00 PM, at least.)
Day 2: Bismarck's Embrace… and Near Disaster
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Nope!
- 8:00 AM: Wake up for real. The complimentary breakfast is… well, it exists. Scramble for waffles and coffee while battling the other guests for a seat.
- 9:00 AM: Drive to the Dakota Zoo! I love zoos! All the animals, the funny signs… the whole spectacle! I had high hopes for seeing the bison, and I wasn't disappointed! I spent nearly 2 hours just staring at them. Their placid faces, the way they slowly chewed… it was mesmerizing.
- 11:00 AM: I was so focused on the bison that I almost forgot about the rest of the zoo! I zoomed around, saw some monkeys, a few sad-looking big cats, the usual zoo suspects. However, there was a moment! I got so close to a peacock, only for a random kid to get a little too close and scare away my photo opportunity.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Stop at a local diner for some hearty fare. The waitress, bless her heart, looked like she'd seen it all (and probably had). She gave me the insider's guide to the best pie in town. She was right. So right. Oh, that pie.
- 1:30 PM: Head toward the North Dakota State Capitol Building. The architecture of it gave me the heebie-jeebies. It was just a bit too… monolithic. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the brutalist architecture of it. Though, the grounds are really beautiful.
- 2:30 PM: Explore the grounds and enjoy the views. Snap some pictures. Trying to find a good vantage point.
- 3:30 PM: THE DISASTER STRIKES! Okay, this needs its own section.
- I decided to take the scenic route back to the hotel. It involved what looked like a charming backroad. It wasn't. It rapidly devolved into a gravel path. I swear, I was driving on the moon! Then, the worst happened. A rogue, GIANT pothole. My car, bless its little heart, didn't stand a chance.
- A loud BANG. The car swerved. I pulled over, heart hammering. Tire. Flat.
- Cue: Panic. I called the rental company. They were… less than thrilled. Turns out, I was miles from any help. I tried to change the tire myself (because, you know, I'm a modern woman!), but the lug wrench was stuck!
- Hours later, a tow truck finally showed up. I had to wait. I was stranded. The tow truck driver was lovely, though. He regaled me with tales of Bismarck winters and told me about the best places to eat. He was basically my angel of the gravel road. He saved my sanity.
- 7:00 PM: Finally back at the hotel! Exhausted, covered in dust, and emotionally drained. Pizza for dinner! The hotel's vending machine felt like the greatest thing ever.
- 8:00 PM: Pizza and Netflix (thank you, tow truck driver!) and a large helping of self-pity.
- 9:30 PM: Bed. Sleep will hopefully come… eventually.
Day 3: Recovery & Departure
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling surprisingly okay! The flat tire? Water under the bridge. And the breakfast was great, too!
- 9:00 AM: Check out of the hotel (thank goodness!).
- 9:30 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping.
- 10:30 AM: Head to the airport.
- 11:30 AM: Fly out of Bismarck. Goodbye, North Dakota. You were… unforgettable.
Emotional Rating:
- Anticipation: Mild.
- Excitement: Mostly about the bison at the Dakota Zoo.
- Stress: High. Mostly involving gravel roads and flat tires.
- Joy: Pie. And the tow truck driver.
- Overall: A messy, imperfect, and ultimately, kind of wonderful adventure. Would recommend… with a warning. Maybe invest in a good tire patch kit. And a healthy dose of patience. And maybe a backup plan for the gravel roads.
And that's my Bismarck story! Wish me luck on my next adventure!
Fort Lauderdale's BEST Kept Secret: Atlantic Hotel & Spa Luxury Awaits!
Fairfield Inn & Suites South Bismarck: The Truth (And My Messy Opinions)
Okay, spill the beans! Is the "BEST" hotel in Bismarck really the Fairfield Inn & Suites South? Is this some kind of sponsored post?!
Alright, alright, settle down, conspiracy theorists! No, this ain't sponsored. I'm just a regular person who's stayed at my fair share of Bismarck hotels, usually because, you know, *life*. And frankly? The Fairfield Inn South has frequently surfaced as my go-to. Let's be honest, "BEST" is subjective, right? But for **my** needs – and trust me, my needs are often chaotic – it usually ticks the boxes. Don't get me wrong, it has its moments. It is not absolutely perfect. But... yeah. Usually the best *for me*.
What's actually good about it? Like, beyond the free breakfast? (Because let's be real, hotel breakfast is often... questionable.)
Okay, the breakfast *is* a solid starting point. They usually have waffles. I am a *sucker* for waffles. But the real magic? Cleanliness. Honestly. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), and I've almost always found it to be spotless. And the people, the staff, have always been consistently nice. No forced smiles, actually helpful. This is HUGE. You know how some hotels make you feel like you're inconveniencing them simply by existing? Not here. They seem genuinely happy to help, like that one time my phone charger decided to commit suicide in the middle of the night – totally and utterly dead, and they managed to find me a replacement, at like, 3 am! Bless their hearts.
But it can't be *all* sunshine and waffles, right? What are the downsides? Hit me with the brutal honesty.
Okay, holding breath now... it’s not a five-star resort. Let's start there. The pool, well, it's... fine. Perfectly functional, but not exactly a tropical paradise. And the decor? Let's call it "safe." Think beige. Very...beige. But honestly? I don't go to a hotel to admire the wallpaper. I go to sleep. Also, if you're after a super luxurious experience, this ain't it. You're not gonna get your own personal butler (unless, you know, you bring one. I won’t judge). It’s also in South Bismarck, which is convenient, but not exactly the heart of the action. It is the *suburbs*.
Room types? What do they have, and which ones are the best?
Standard rooms with king or queen beds, suites... the usual suspects. If you're traveling with a family, the suites are a great choice. I tend to hoard the king rooms when traveling solo, so the space I like to grab for myself! Space is necessary to get away from the kids as well! It depends on what you're looking for, but the suites offer a bit more room to spread out, which is glorious, especially if you're traveling with kids (or, you know, a mountain of luggage like I do). The views? Don't expect anything spectacular. It overlooks a parking lot and some other buildings. But hey, your view isn't the priority, is it?
Okay, let's talk about the free breakfast. Really, is it edible? And what's the absolute must-try item?
Alright, let’s get serious. The breakfast – it's *generally* good. It's not gourmet, but it's definitely edible and, honestly, quite convenient. Think: Eggs (often scrambled), sausage or bacon, make-your-own waffles (yes!), cereal, pastries, yogurt, the usual suspects. The coffee isn't bad either, which is a major plus first thing in the morning. Must-try item? That depends on the day! But I’m a waffle person, so I'm consistently eyeing the waffle maker, and they usually have good fresh fruit too. The pastries are...hit or miss. Sometimes they’re divine, sometimes they taste vaguely of desperation. But hey -- it's free. And you can always stock up on the individually wrapped granola bars for later. That's my pro-tip.
What about the location? Is it convenient for things to do?
For me, yeah. South Bismarck is pretty darn convenient! It's close to restaurants (like, really close), shopping, and the main highway. It's not exactly walkable to downtown, though. You'll need a car or a ride. But if you're planning on driving around Bismarck (which, let's be honest, you probably are), then the location is great. It's easy to get in and out of, which is a huge plus, especially when you're exhausted after a long day of...whatever it is you're doing in Bismarck. Just don't expect a scenic walk to the Capitol. It's a drive.
Any memorable experiences (good or bad)? Spill the tea!
Oh, I've got stories! (Don’t we all?) I was there once during a blizzard. A legit, "North Dakota in winter" blizzard. The roads were closed, the power flickered…it was a bit apocalyptic. But the staff at the Fairfield were amazing! They kept the breakfast flowing, the coffee hot, and were generally calm and reassuring. Honestly, they were making me feel like I was in a cosy bunker, not a potential disaster zone. That experience, more than anything, solidified my loyalty! Another time… well, let’s just say I accidentally set off the fire alarm making toast. Thankfully, no real drama, but the staff were incredibly understanding (and probably thought I was a bit daft, which, let's be fair, is probably true). They are the MVPs!
So, bottom line: Would you recommend it?
Look, if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and generally reliable hotel in Bismarck, the Fairfield Inn & Suites South is a solid bet. Is it the *absolute* best? Maybe not. But for the price, the cleanliness, the friendly staff, and the strategically placed waffles, I keep going back. I’d give it a solid, enthusiastic...8 out of 10. I'm a creature of habit. So yeah, I recommend it. Just maybe be careful with the toaster.
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