Jasper Hotel
"Why book? This chic, six-floor boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Fargo captures the spirit of the Plains heritage aesthetic through suspended wood beams, railroad references like metal touches, and a color scheme of greens, blues, grays, and amber to reflect the region’s agricultural fields and the river valley. Thanks to its inviting lobby and bar, and convenient location, it’s truly a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Set the scene In the past five to six years, Fargo has been going through a renaissance, with many buildings popping up. At the center of it all is downtown Fargo, and the Jasper Hotel is a reason to stay a while. Behind its large, wooden front doors, sit at the restaurant’s glass windows to see into Broadway Square, the city’s central community space. The bar, situated front and center, is a relaxing spot to start or end a day of sightseeing, and it hosts social hours. There’s no day when the lobby sits empty; chatter among friends, young adults, and professionals is a regular and constant sound in the lobby. The Art-Deco style building is sophisticated and elegant, and the perfect place to hang out with others, by yourself, or while working remotely. Every Saturday, brunch at Rosewild downstairs includes live jazz. Like the city of Fargo itself, the Jasper Hotel is creating quite a buzz. The backstory: In 1893, the Keeney Building which was home to many small businesses including a music house, law firm, a dentist, and a Turkish bath, was destroyed in a fire. By 1910, what was known as the Keeney Block had been replaced with a mixed-use, multi-story building called the Continental Block, housing a barber shop, shoe repair, and hotel—until 1976 when yet another fire destroyed the area. In 1983, the former Valley Hotel on the corner was demolished to make way for parking and the US Bank plaza, and for 43 years the plot of land stayed a surface parking lot until Kilbourne Group built what is now called RDO Tower, formerly known as Block 9. Breaking ground in 2018, the multi-use RDO Tower, which opened in the summer of 2021, includes the Jasper Hotel as well as high-end residential condominiums, commercial offices, and shops. The name of the hotel was derived from Jasper B. Chapin, the city's fourth mayor. The rooms There are no bad views from the 125 rooms offering panoramic views of Fargo. The Gardner Suite has a nostalgic feel, with a Bluetooth Marshall Speaker and custom record player with records from hit artists like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Elton John, and Pink Floyd sitting underneath. The suite includes a living area with a sectional sofa, dining table, and small touches such as Penguin Clothbound Classics by Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, and Elizabeth Gaskell. The decor is modern with a color palette reflecting that of the Plains (blues, greens, rust, and gray tones), but the best part of the room is the spacious shower with three different nozzles and sleek navy tile. All rooms come with a bedside wireless charging pad, and feature framed photos by local artists and artisans. Out of the 125 rooms, there are seven accessible rooms. Rates start at $143 per night. Food and drink: The hotel restaurant, Rosewild, serves up hearty flavors, classic cocktails, and comfort food. Inspired by the beauty of the Dakota Plains and infused with Nordic cooking practices reflecting the traditions of the region, the restaurant is truly a gathering place. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant also hosts a social hour on weekdays. Young professionals, groups of friends, and even bachelorette parties gather at the bar and lounge area for locally sourced food and a farm-to-table dining experience. Come evening grab a Midsommar Dream cocktail—with London dry gin, lemon, blueberry, lavender, and pea-flower syrup. At the restaurant, don’t miss out on the Seed and Spore Mushrooms, a selection of mushrooms prepared in various sauces and seasonings. The wine list is mainly made up of European varietals (from France, Italy, Spain) but also highlights the stateside bounties found in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and California’s Napa Valley. If you get hungry later, make sure to order before 9:30 p.m., when the full menu comes to a close.The neighborhood/area Right outside is Broadway, downtown Fargo’s main street. Some of the city’s top historic landmarks such as the Fargo Theater and Hjemkomst Center (just across the border in Moorhead, Minnesota) are within an easy 15-minute walk. Fargo’s downtown is buzzing with several art galleries, eclectic shops such as Proper or Kindred People, and tap rooms. Food lovers have plenty to rave about for the city’s array of restaurants and food trucks, including a James Beard nominee Mezzaluna, home to a modern upscale Italian restaurant serving mussels and artisan cheese. On Saturdays, stop by the Red River Valley Farmers Market right next to the hotel for local goods, wine, coffee, and small bites. The service Many of the staff wear an official uniform of a white-collared shirt and blazer, but still have a casual sense about them. While there’s no dedicated concierge, the front-desk staff can help with anything you need, including reservations for the restaurant and offsite recommendations. Service is friendly and cheerful, and staff are always striking up a conversation. From the room, however, it can be a bit hard to reach the busy front desk. Accessibility: There are accessible routes from the public entrance to accessible guest rooms, with 32-inch wide doorways. Deadbolts, viewport, door night guard, and electrical outlets are lowered for easy reach. Hearing-accessible rooms and/or kits are also available, and service animals are welcome. Anything left to mention? The Jasper is a pet-friendly hotel, so feel free to bring your furry friends (for a fee per night). For my three-night stay, housekeeping had to be requested before noon on the previous day, in order for the room to be tidied up." - Kayla Brock
