Church of the Customer Blog
« Evangelist for: Hotel Donaldson | Main | Open-source marketing »
October 19, 2004
Evangelist for: Hotel Donaldson
Fargo, N.D. is home to one of the best boutique hotels in the United States: the Hotel Donaldson.
Inside, the Donaldson feels more like hip San Francisco or New York than midwestern Fargo, and its hotel roots run deep. Starting as a “working man’s hotel” in 1917, Karen Burgum bought the property in 2001 and spent two years on an inspiring renovation.
Most road warriors would be giddy with delight over amenities like free high speed internet, free continental breakfast, super-plush robes, and a fabulous bar and restaurant. But the Donaldson elevates mid-priced hoteliers to match new levels of sophistication, because each room features:
• The work of a different local artist (my room had 11 different original paintings)
• LCD flat screen TVs
• Slippers
• Responsive service (a benefit of the always-friendly Fargo)
• Fresh flowers
• Lighted make-up mirror
• Plush expresso-colored towels (not hospital white ones)
• Heated bathroom floors
If the last item seems over-the-top, it is. A warm bathroom floor during unfriendly during Fargo winters spreads its share of buzz, the staff says.
Of all places, hotel competition is being elevated in Fargo.
Other blogs that reference Evangelist for: Hotel Donaldson:
you spelled Burgum incorrectly
Thanks JLP for the correction!
I liked the benefits you listed.
Somebody has obviously thought about the room from the customer's perspective. In my experience that is a very difficult thing to do.
I thought, as the small size of the dining room should make it easy for the kitchen to control the quality of the food.
