Kirkwood Motor Inn was the original name of the hotel and banquet facility located at 800 S 3rd that is today known as Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center and more recently as Ramkota Hotel. It served a brief stint under the Radisson banner in the 1990s. The Seasons Cafe is located within the hotel. The hotel has been affiliated with Best Western for much of its existence. Bill Shalhoob was the long-time manager of the hotel, from inception until at least the early 1990s.
Opened in 1974, the Wachters developed the hotel for $4.25 million directly across from the family’s newly christened Kirkwood Plaza. It was the city’s third modern hotel and banquet facility, after the Holiday Inn and Town House Motor Inn. At the time of opening, it boasted the largest banquet hall in Bismarck.
A $3 million addition commenced in 1976, upgrading to 310 guest rooms and other improvements.
Kirkwood Motor Inn was one of four area hotels to face financial difficulties during an economic downturn in the mid-1980s, ending in foreclosure in 1987. The hotel was put up for auction in 1988 and subsequently purchased by Equitable Life Assurance Society in August of that year.
Soon after, it affiliated with Radisson Inn (officially in December 1989) and completed a $3 million renovation and expansion, pursuant to the franchise agreement. The restaurant became the Seasons Cafe at that time, and the bar Nickels Lounge.
In December 1989, it became affiliated with Radisson Inn and completed a $3 million renovation and expansion, pursuant to the franchise agreement. The restaurant became the Seasons Cafe at that time, and the bar renamed Nickels Lounge.
More recently, the hotel was franchised with Best Western and known as Ramkota Hotel. In 2022 it was sold and rebranded as Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center.
