
Bismarck's BEST Hotel? La Quinta Inn & Suites Review!
La Quinta Inn & Suites Bismarck: My Bismarck Blitz – A Review (With a Few Tears & a LOT of Coffee)
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your typical cookie-cutter hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Bismarck, North Dakota, and trust me, it’s been a journey. I’m talking highs, lows, questionable coffee, and a whole lot of… well, let’s just say "experiences."
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Metadata: This review dives deep into the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Bismarck, North Dakota, covering accessibility, amenities (pools, fitness, dining), cleanliness, services, room features, and more. Find out if this hotel is the right pick for your Bismarck adventure!
The Arrival – First Impressions Are Mostly… Okay?
Pulling up, La Quinta looks… like a La Quinta. You know the drill. Cleanish lines, a predictable facade. Nothing screams "WOW," but also, nothing screams "horror movie set," so, win. Check-in was… efficient. Let’s call it efficient. No real warmth, but also, no major snags. They did have the contactless check-in/out option, which, in this post-apocalyptic world, I appreciate. And praise the heavens, there's a 24-hour front desk. Because let's be honest, I'm the type who needs a midnight snack and a random question answered at 3 AM.
Accessibility – Not Bad, But Not Perfect
Alright, let's talk access. This is important. The La Quinta scores pretty well. Wheelchair accessible throughout, which is great, and they've clearly thought about guests with mobility issues. They've got the elevator. They even had the facilities for disabled guests, which included accessible rooms. (Though I didn't get a chance to check them out directly, the signage and general vibe suggested thoughtfulness.) Now, there's no ramp at the entrance I could see, but the front door was wide and easy to get into. It's a solid foundation, maybe not the most luxurious accessible experience, but definitely functional.
Rooms – A Mixed Bag of Comfort and… Well, More Coffee
My room (non-smoking, thankfully) was… fine. Clean. That's the most important thing, right? The air conditioning blasted ice age, which, after a long day driving, was heaven-sent. I had the free Wi-Fi, which, let's be honest, is practically a requirement these days. And thank the stars, the Wi-Fi in all rooms is free! Gotta stay connected, you know? The desk and laptop workspace was adequate since I had a few Zoom calls to jump on. The bed? Decent. Not a cloud, but not a torture device either.
Now, let's get into the quirks…
- The Lights: There seemed to be a million light switches, for every nook and cranny. I spent a solid five minutes just trying to get a decent reading light going.
- The Coffee: The coffee in the room? Undrinkable. I mean, truly. I think it had been brewing since the Ice Age. Luckily, there's a coffee/tea maker available, although the coffee provided was not ideal.
- The Blackout Curtains: They worked! And they were dark!
- The Bathroom: It was functional. The hair dryer was actually decent. The towels were… towels.
- The In-Room Safe: I couldn't figure out the dang thing. I ended up just hiding my valuables in my suitcase.
Amenities – Pools, Fitness, and the Great Breakfast Debate
Alright, this is where things get interesting. The swimming pool [outdoor] was closed, sadly. I was really looking forward to a swim, BUT, I’m not sure if it's seasonal so I will have to ask in the future.
The fitness center? Let's just say it was… compact. A few treadmills, a couple of weights, and a general air of "well, we tried." It would do the trick for a quick workout, but if you're a fitness fanatic, you might want to look elsewhere.
And now… the breakfast [buffet]. This is where things got… emotional.
- The Good: They had a decent selection. Waffles! Eggs! Bacon! (Or a reasonable facsimile of bacon.) The breakfast [buffet] was included in the price, so, extra points there.
- The Bad: The food… well, it wasn't gourmet. But it was free, and it filled the hole in my stomach.
- The Ugly: The breakfast was crowded. Honestly, it was a bit of a free-for-all. A free-for-all that required me to stand in line for waffles, while someone was trying to steal the last piece of bacon!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - My Fueling Strategy
Okay, the La Quinta does have a Breakfast service and a coffee shop, but the coffee situation didn’t inspire confidence. It's not a food destination, but I did find that many restaurants were nearby. The hotel is also near a convenience store.
Cleanliness and Safety – A Sigh of Relief
In these times, cleanliness is KEY. And I was happy to see the La Quinta took it seriously. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. The staff seemed to be diligent about cleaning, and they had the daily disinfection in common areas. I felt reasonably safe, which is all I can ask for.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
The La Quinta also offered a variety of services. They have a laundry service. They also have a luggage storage, just in case you need to get out of your room or you are not leaving until later. Also, you could see daily housekeeping.
Things to Do in Bismarck – Beyond the Hotel Walls
Bismarck! What a place. During my stay, I tried going to some of the great sites North Dakota has to offer. The Car park [free of charge] was great.
The Verdict – Would I Stay Again?
Okay, here's the deal. The La Quinta Inn & Suites in Bismarck isn't perfect. It's not some opulent spa resort. But it's a solid, reliable choice. It's clean, accessible, and has the essentials. Considering it's not expensive its a great place.
Would I stay again? Honestly, yeah. If I'm in Bismarck and need a place to crash, I’d go for it. Just… bring your own coffee! And maybe a weapon to fight for your waffles.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Could be amazing if the coffee was better and the breakfast less chaotic!
(P.S. – I’m still dreaming of that pool. And the bacon.)
Escape to Luxury: Marriott Reforma's Unforgettable Mexico City Getaway
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your grandma's sterile itinerary. This is a chaotic, real-life, probably-slightly-hungover journey through La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bismarck, and, well, Bismarck, North Dakota. Strap in, buttercups.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Motel Carpeting
3:00 PM: Arrive at Bismarck Airport (BIS). Okay, first off, I’m pretty sure this is the same airport they used in Fargo – the movie, not the show, though I wouldn’t be surprised. The wind chill hits you like a slap in the face the second you step outside. Brrr. Car rental: Check. Feeling of quiet desperation settling in: Double-check.
3:45 PM: Drive to La Quinta. The drive is… well, it's Bismarck. Flat, expansive, and punctuated by things that look like silos. They should give you a free therapy session with the room.
4:15 PM: Check-in. The lobby is…fine. Beige. The front desk person is friendly, but I can't shake the feeling of being judged for my lack of enthusiasm. I'm guessing they see a lot of this. Getting the room key, feeling as if some silent agreement has been made between me and the desk person about "not making a mess".
4:30 PM: Room reveal. The carpet. Oh, the carpet. I swear, someone took a vat of lukewarm beige and slapped it onto the floor. It makes me question every life choice that led me to this moment. Immediately start the inspection to locate any obvious stains. Find none. Sigh of relief.
5:00 PM: Unpack (sort of). Throw everything on the bed, promising myself I'll organize later. I never do. The remote control is a little sticky. It's okay, though. We'll survive.
6:00 PM: Wandering contemplation. Looking out from the window seeing a vast empty space and asking myself: what even is the point of all this, anyway? The answer is probably not in the complimentary coffee machine.
7:00 PM: Dinner. The included continental breakfast is not a motivator to wake up. Going out to find some hearty food. I saw a sign for a place called… “The Blarney Stone.” Yup. It’s that kind of town apparently. Going to try it out. Praying for a decent beer.
8:30 PM: Blarney Stone aftermath. Okay, the Shepherd's Pie was… okay. The beer selection was surprisingly robust. The waitress was friendly, which is a North Dakota thing. A good thing. Ended up chatting with a couple of guys about… well, I don’t even remember. Something about tractors. And the vastness of the Great Plains. At least I'm feeling more like myself now.
10:00 PM: Back at the La Quinta. Staring at the beige carpet. Trying not to think about the stain possibilities of the next two days. Turning on the TV, hoping for some mindless entertainment. Reality TV it is.
11:00 PM: Attempting to sleep. The air conditioning unit sounds like a dying walrus. Gonna be a long night.
Day 2: The Bison, the Bakery, and the Beige Apocalypse
7:00 AM: Wake up abruptly from a dream about beige and carpet.
7:15 AM: The continental breakfast. It's… there. The coffee is weak, the waffle machine is slow, and the plastic cutlery feels like a personal insult.
8:00 AM: Out to the city! Trying out local coffee shops to get a feel for Bismarck. This time, the city feels a little more accessible.
10:00 AM: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. A drive to the National Park is in order. The landscape is stunning. Seeing hundreds of Bison. The air is crisp, the sky is vast. Feeling a fleeting moment of awe, and then the familiar pull of my own neuroses creeps back in.
12:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Another bout of existential angst. Taking a shower
1:00 PM: Lunch. Trying out another local place. It's a surprisingly good burger.
2:00 PM: Deciding to go back to the hotel.
4:00 PM: Walking around the hotel, finding a bit of boredom, and finding the gym.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Headed across the parking lot to some chain restaurant.
8:00 PM: Back to the room. Staring out the window, watching the sunset. It’s actually quite beautiful. The beige doesn’t seem so bad tonight. Maybe it’s growing on me? Nah.
10:00 PM: Another night of TV, questionable snacks from the vending machine, and battling the walrus-esque AC unit.
Day 3: The Departure… and a Tiny Spark of Hope?
7:00 AM: Continental breakfast, again! I'm starting to think I can identify the exact age of the Danish pastries.
8:00 AM: Last gaze out the window. The beige carpet is still beige.
8:30 AM: Check-out. Said my goodbyes to front desk.
9:00 AM: Drive to the airport.
10:00 AM: Airport stuff. Feeling weirdly…grateful. For the blandness, for the slight imperfections, for the fact that I survived.
11:00 AM: Take-off.
1:30 PM: Arrive at home.
1:45 PM: Contemplating all the things.
Final Thoughts (or, Ramblings):
This trip wasn't perfect. It was beige. It was a little… depressing. But it was my trip. It's a reminder that even in the most unremarkable setting (like a La Quinta in Bismarck, North Dakota), there's still beauty, there's still connection, there's still the bizarre and wonderful business of being human. Also, I really need to invest in a travel-sized bottle of carpet cleaner. Just in case.
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Is La Quinta Inn & Suites the "BEST" Hotel in Bismarck? (Spoiler: Definitions May Vary)
Alright, spill. What's the *actual* vibe of the place?
The Breakfast: Savior or Sin? (Because Let's Be Honest, That's a Make-or-Break Deal)
What About the Rooms? (Are They… Safe?)
Okay, deep breath. Any Quirks or Memorable Moments? (Dish! I need the dirt!)
Amenities: Are We Talking Hot Tub Nirvana or Just a Pool (Maybe)?
So, Ultimately: Recommend or Run Screaming?


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