Best Hotels in North Dakota: A Complete Guide 2026

North Dakota's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Fargo and downtown boutique stays, home to Hotel Donaldson and Jasper Hotel; Grand Forks and Devils Lake, home to Canad Inns Destination Centre and Lakeview Lodge; and Bismarck and Medora, home to Rough Riders Hotel and Brewhalla Hotel. Lakeview Lodge on Devils Lake holds a 4.9 rating across roughly 85 reviews, one of the highest scores in the state.

‍

Explore North Dakota's Top-Rated Hotels

Fargo anchors North Dakota's largest urban hotel scene along the Red River Valley in the east. Grand Forks and Devils Lake sit further north, where a growing family resort scene meets rural lake country. Bismarck and Medora round out the state to the west, home to the capital and the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park's badlands.

Within that spread, Fargo's hotels lean toward boutique downtown stays, Grand Forks and Devils Lake favor family waterpark hotels and rural lodges, and Bismarck and Medora offer downtown business hotels and badlands gateway properties. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

‍

How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional based on current listed rates, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

‍

North Dakota's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

‍

Fargo And Downtown Boutique Stays

Jasper Hotel

• Address: Fargo, ND
• Category: Modern downtown boutique hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Fargo's newer hotels
• Standout feature: this hotel brings contemporary design to the heart of downtown Fargo's Broadway district
• Best for: business travelers wanting a modern downtown Fargo base

Hotel Donaldson

• Address: Fargo, ND
• Category: Boutique art-themed hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Fargo's boutique hotels
• Standout feature: each room features original artwork from a rotating local artist collection, making every stay distinct
• Best for: couples wanting a design-focused boutique stay in downtown Fargo

Radisson Blu Fargo

• Address: Fargo, ND
• Category: Upscale downtown hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Fargo's upscale hotels
• Standout feature: this hotel offers a modern upscale stay in the heart of downtown Fargo
• Best for: business travelers wanting a reliable upscale downtown Fargo base

‍

Grand Forks And Devils Lake

Canad Inns Destination Centre Grand Forks

• Address: Grand Forks, ND
• Category: 3-star family waterpark hotel
• Rating: 4.0 out of 5 across roughly 1,700 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: one guest calls it the "best rooms and services in town," reflecting its attached indoor water park
• Best for: families wanting an indoor waterpark stay in Grand Forks

The Olive Ann Hotel, Grand Forks, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

• Address: Grand Forks, ND
• Category: Upscale boutique hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Grand Forks' upscale hotels
• Standout feature: this contemporary boutique property anchors downtown Grand Forks with upscale design
• Best for: couples wanting Grand Forks' most design-forward downtown stay

Lakeview Lodge

• Address: Devils Lake, ND
• Category: Rural lakeside lodge
• Rating: 4.9 out of 5 across roughly 85 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this rural lodge offers direct access to Devils Lake, one of North Dakota's top fishing destinations
• Best for: anglers and couples wanting North Dakota's highest-rated rural lake stay

Nome Schoolhouse Inn and Event Center

• Address: Nome, ND
• Category: Boutique converted schoolhouse inn
• Rating: 4.9 out of 5 across roughly 81 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: this inn is a converted historic schoolhouse, offering a genuinely distinctive small-town North Dakota stay
• Best for: couples wanting a highly rated, unique countryside inn

‍

Bismarck And Medora

AmericInn by Wyndham Medora

• Address: Medora, ND
• Category: Badlands-area family hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Medora's family hotels
• Standout feature: this hotel offers a convenient family base for badlands sightseeing and the Medora Musical
• Best for: families wanting a straightforward, affordable Medora base

Rough Riders Hotel

• Address: Medora, ND
• Category: Historic badlands gateway hotel
• Rating: highly rated among North Dakota's badlands hotels
• Standout feature: this hotel is the closest full-service lodging to Theodore Roosevelt National Park's badlands entrance
• Best for: travelers wanting a historic, full-service base for exploring the badlands

Brewhalla Hotel

• Address: Bismarck, ND
• Category: Modern boutique hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Bismarck's boutique hotels
• Standout feature: this contemporary boutique property brings design-forward style to downtown Bismarck
• Best for: couples wanting a modern boutique stay in the state capital

‍

North Dakota Hotel Taxes And Fees

North Dakota charges a 5 percent state sales tax on hotel rooms, plus a state lodging tax of up to 1.5 percent. Cities and counties add their own local lodging and tourism tax on top of that, with combined rates in Fargo and Bismarck typically landing in the 13 to 14 percent range. Smaller towns like Medora and Devils Lake set their own local rates, so the exact combined charge depends on the specific municipality. Resort fees are uncommon in North Dakota, but always confirm the exact combined rate directly with each hotel before booking.

‍

Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Business travelers should choose Jasper Hotel or Radisson Blu Fargo for reliable downtown access. Families wanting indoor recreation should pick Canad Inns Destination Centre Grand Forks, and badlands-bound travelers should choose Rough Riders Hotel in Medora. Anglers should pick Lakeview Lodge on Devils Lake.

{{cta-strip}}

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best hotel in North Dakota?

Lakeview Lodge on Devils Lake holds one of the state's highest ratings at 4.9, making it a strong pick for a rural lake stay. Hotel Donaldson in Fargo is a strong alternative for travelers wanting a design-focused downtown hotel.

2. What is the nicest town in North Dakota?

Fargo is widely considered North Dakota's nicest urban town, home to boutique hotels like Hotel Donaldson and Jasper Hotel. Medora is a close alternative for travelers wanting badlands scenery near Rough Riders Hotel.

3. What are some luxury resorts in North Dakota?

North Dakota has few formal luxury resorts, but The Olive Ann Hotel in Grand Forks and Radisson Blu Fargo come closest with upscale downtown positioning. Canad Inns Destination Centre Grand Forks is a strong alternative for families wanting resort-style waterpark amenities.

4. What are some cool places to stay in North Dakota?

Nome Schoolhouse Inn and Event Center stands out as a genuinely distinctive converted-schoolhouse stay, holding a 4.9 rating. Lakeview Lodge on Devils Lake is a strong alternative for a quiet, highly rated rural lake experience.

5. What is the best hotel in Fargo, North Dakota?

Hotel Donaldson is widely considered Fargo's top boutique hotel, known for its rotating local art collection. Jasper Hotel is a strong alternative for travelers wanting a more modern downtown design.

6. What is the best hotel near Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Rough Riders Hotel in Medora is the closest full-service lodging to the park's badlands entrance. AmericInn by Wyndham Medora is a strong alternative for families wanting a straightforward chain hotel nearby.

7. What is the best family hotel in North Dakota?

Canad Inns Destination Centre Grand Forks stands out for its attached indoor water park, making it a year-round family destination. AmericInn by Wyndham Medora is a strong alternative for families visiting the badlands.