Last week I wrote an article entitled "Your Input is Needed: Where to Stay & Eat in Salt Lake City." I asked newsletter readers to fill out survey forms describing their experiences with various Salt Lake City hotels, restaurants and travel services. The intent is to create a genealogist's travel guide to the city of great attraction for all of us. All the information will be based upon the experiences of genealogists.
If you have already filled out the survey, I want to say "Thank you." If you have not yet done so, there is still time.
Here is an interim report about the hotel information contributed to date. Quite a few newsletter readers have responded with their input. However, several hotels still have not been reviewed by readers:
Best Western Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response as of Sept. 18: 3.7
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: FREE wireless high-speed access included in room price
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response as of Sept. 18: 2.9
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response as of Sept. 18: 2.5
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: Yes, and the airport shuttle service is free.
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer was mixed. Most selected "Yes, and the downtown shuttle service is free" although one respondent selected "Yes, although I had to pay extra for the downtown shuttle service."
Do you have any comments about this hotel's shuttle service?
Answers:
1. Yes. It's close enough that I can return to my room as many times as I want during the day. It's comfortable, close to shopping, as close as one can get to the library, and the rates are affordable. If I can't stay here, I'd rather stay at home.
2. Shuttle unnecessary. Library right next door and public transport is in front of hotel.
3. The shuttle service seems better this year than in previous years. One does have to sign up well in advance in order to get to the Airport in time to check in. In past years, organizers of groups have been able to negotiate with the hotel or its shuttle operators to take a group elsewhere, especially if the weather is inclement, or the restaurant is some distance away.
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: Yes
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
Answers:
1. Because we are a group, we get a free class on Monday nights.
2. The response to services in this hotel is generally prompt. When there is NOT a conference, frequently one can get a Genealogist's room rate. That service was not available for this conference. If one is using the Family History Library, one can generally ask at the greeting desk for a pass of several days to eat at the Mormon Office Bldg. cafeteria at lunchtime, or at breakfast, if that is your pleasure. The food is freshly prepared, and there is take-away service. My friends especially like the cookies to take for afternoon snack. If we can get a round table, we can generally have quite a lively discussion about genealogical techniques or hints to help one another. JB's the restaurant in the Plaza has a senior discount, and the meals, with the number of your room given, can be charged to a hotel bill, giving one rewards with a credit card!!! I am certain there are equally comfortable hotels in SLC, but this one wins because of its proximity to the Library, and because there is a special genealogist's rate (ordinarily). Women feel safe walking from the Library at night to their nearby hotel. My friend stayed at the Marriott, was not pleased with the food, and had a room overlooking the parking area. It was near the Salt Palace, however. Nordstrom's lunch room, in the Crossroads Plaza is a good lunch place, when the Mormon Office Bldg. cafeteria is closed. Good service, comfortable surroundings.
3. Great location - but you pay a little more for that. The genealogy rate was $79/nt. HiSpeed access worked great in the room, next door at JB's and even from parts of the FHL. Rooms looked like they'd been upgraded since my last trip there. Inroom safe was large enough for my ultraportable laptop -- so I didn't have to lug it to the conference. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Downtown from 8/31-9/5 (alone) and the Plaza from 9/5-9/11 (with a roommate) this trip. I'll probably stay at the plaza next trip.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answers:
Yes - 85.7%
No - 0%
Other (please specify) 14.3%Comment: Yes, but the location is about the only good thing about it.
Embassy Suites
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 4
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: FREE wired high-speed Internet access included in room price
Comment: Free high-speed Internet access in the lobby but not guaranteed to work in the rooms.
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 3.0
On a scale of one to five, with five being the the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 4.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: Yes
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: Unknown
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: No
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
Comment: Excellent hotel! Great suites with lots of room. Free cooked-to-order breakfasts. Free drinks in the afternoon. Mini refrigerators in each suite. Very quiet.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answer: Yes
Hilton
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 4.0
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answers: High-speed wired Internet access for an extra charge
If you paid extra for Internet access, please tell how much you paid per day.
Answer: $9.95
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Answer: 3.0
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Answer: 5.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: I don't know if there is an airport shuttle service or not.
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: No, there is no downtown shuttle service provided by this hotel.
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: No
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
Expensive, especially with the extra charges for internet access, parking, etc. The breakfast buffet was $13! The onsite dinner restaurant is a "club" with temporary free memberships for guests of the hotel. Otherwise NOTHING is free, and you are expected to tip everyone in addition. It is several blocks from the Library, somewhat difficult if you are taking lots of files with you. The TRAX is also a couple blocks away and not useful for getting to and from the Library.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answer: No
Holiday Inn Downtown
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 4.0
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: FREE wireless high-speed access included in room price
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 3.5
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 3.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: Yes, and the airport shuttle service is free.
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: Yes, and the downtown shuttle service is free.
Do you have any comments about this hotel's shuttle service?
1. It runs every half hour all day long.
2. Leaves the hotel every half hour. call for pick-up and wait 2-40 minutes depending on your timing
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: I don't know
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
1. I enjoyed my stay in a clean and comfortable room. The rate for genealogist's was $55 per night. I had only breakfast in the hotel restaurant always provided good food.
2. HiSpeed Wireless rarely worked in my room, so I sat in the lobby or the restaurant to access the internet. Restaurant opened limited hours. Food, pricing, and service on par with JB's. Room rate $55/nt. Other facilities good -- big pool, sauna, exercise room, laundry facilities, etc. so some inconvenience on location may be an acceptible trade-off. Some noise factor from hallways/adjoining rooms -- but not horribly so.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answers: Yes
Little America Hotel
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 4.0
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: High-speed wireless Internet access for an extra charge
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 3.0
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 3.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
No responses
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
No responses
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
Response: Excellent hotel. nice pool and gym to work out in. We ate at the Joseph Smith Building on the top floor in the restaurant that the roof opens up. I can't remember the name but excellent. We also ate breakfast and dinner at the Grand America across the street from Little America and had fine dining. i can't say enough about both restaurants. EXCELLENT CHOICES!!!!
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Responses: Yes
Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average Response: 4.5
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: High-speed wired Internet access for an extra charge
If you paid extra for Internet access, please tell how much you paid per day.
Answer: $10.00
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 4.0
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 4.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: No, there is no airport shuttle service provided by this hotel.
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: No, there is no downtown shuttle service provided by this hotel.
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: Yes
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
1. My room faced the Morman Temple, which allowed for beautiful photo opportunities seeing that the building was totally surrounded when down on the street by buildings, canvases, tents, etc. The view of the mountains and the temple was ethereal.
2. It had excellent service, was very convenient to the FHL, easy access to public transportation, and a short walk to a number of restaurants, including the mall it is attached to. Not cheap, though, unless you are getting a convention or special rate.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Responses: Yes
Shilo Inn Salt Lake City
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 5.0
Did this hotel have Internet access?
One response: don't know
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 5.0 (one respondent)
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 5.0 (one respondent)
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: Yes
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
I have been staying at the Shiloh for nearly 20 years! It is the ONLY place for me. All rooms have a microwave and refrigerator. Great for when I bring food from local restaurants and want the leftovers on a second night. Cookies warm from the oven are on the front desk from late afternoon. Breakfast of several choices included in room rate. They have a genealogy rate. There are several rooms that also have a wet bar and extra storage space.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answer: Yes
The Inn at Temple Square
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 4.5
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: FREE wireless high-speed access included in room price
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: Yes
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 3.85
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 3.14
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: Yes, and the airport shuttle service is free.
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: No
Do you have any comments about this hotel's shuttle service?
1. Airport to the hotel is provided in about 15 minutes when called. Take the telephone number of the hotel and 50 cents for the pay phone with you. Hotel to airport is hourly on the hour. No need for a downtown shuttle, the hotel is right at Temple Square.
2. The hotel is located less than a block from the FHL and the malls, so a shuttle isn't necessary.
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: yes
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
1. It was very convenient for going to the library and very nice hotel. The only negative was that the bed was very uncomfortable for 2 people. We couldn't wait to get to a better bed.
2. I really like this pleasant hotel. Quiet, nicely renovated and decorated older hotel, with some nice amenities. Free buffet breakfast. Good restaurant. Just across the street from the library.
3. This is probably one of the nicest hotels we have stayed at. Very comfortable, large rooms and bathrooms. Unfortunately, they have raised their rates. Last year we paid, if I remember correctly, $86 per night and that included breakfast for two people. This was a genealogy rate. When I called this year they said they didn't have a genealogy rate and the rooms were $120 per night.
4. Expensive, but the amenities are well-worth it!
5. Perfect location - Just around the corner from the FHL. The low price belies the fine decor and amenities. I always feel pampered when I stay here and I stay here once a year. Breakfast buffet included.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Responses:
Yes - 85.7%
No - 0%
Other (please specify) 14.3%Comment: "Yes, but see above"
Travelodge
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate this hotel?
Average response: 2.0
Did this hotel have Internet access?
Answer: No
Are there one or more restaurants on the hotel premises?
Answer: None on the premises but nearby restaurants are available within a very short walk
On a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, how many "stars" would you rate the restaurant(s) in this hotel for quality and service? (not price)
Average response: 4.0
On a scale of one to five, with five being the most expensive, how expensive were the restaurant(s) in this hotel?
Average response: 2.0
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to and from the airport?
Answer: No
Does this hotel provide a shuttle service to downtown locations? Examples might be to the Family History Library, to shopping malls, to restaurants, etc.
Answer: No
Is the hotel on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system?
Answer: Yes
Do you have any other comments about this hotel?
Travelodge, last time I was there, was getting a bit run-down. It has been owned by the same family for years - long enough that I had met three generations of them. It was just above the Motel 6 category, but low priced, within a block of the Library, and was quiet and comfortable. I don't know if it has changed in 4 years.
Would you recommend this hotel to other genealogists?
Answer: Yes
Other hotel, campground, guest house, etc.
The following were not listed on the original survey as they are further away. However, four survey respondents stayed in three additional places. These locations will be added to the survey in the future:
Hampton Inn Salt Lake City-Downtown
Crystal Inn Downtown
The Kimball
All were highly rated by the respondents.
Restaurants will be covered in a future article. I expect to write an annual wrap-up article in a few weeks. However, the survey will remain open at http://www.eogn.com/surveys/SLC and you can enter your experiences at any time. I expect to update this article with the latest results annually.
Hi I stayed at the City Creek Inn at 230 West Temple for four days last week after spending the previous 4 days at the Best Western during the days of the conference. It is a small motel just north of the Family History Library, not quite as near as the BW but still very very close. It is not as "luxurious" nor does it have all the amenities of the BW, like the swimming pool, spa, shop etc but to be honest I was so busy at the conference I did not have time to use them so did not miss them when I moved to the City Creek Inn. The City Creek Inn cost me less than half that of the BW ($48) for a very good room, very clean and extremely friendly service (it is family run). There is no restaurant but then the BW did not half one either - it appears to have as the BJ is within it's premises and you can have room service if you want too, however that meant that I could try some of the other restaurants in SLC such as the LDS cafeteria and some of those at the Gateway Centre as well as those that can be reached using the free TRAX. The City Creek Inn does not have its own shuttle but it is right by the bus stop to the airport ($1.50) or if you want help with your luggage there is the airport shuttle which operates door to door ($7). Next time I go to SLC I will definitely stay again at the City Creek Inn.
Gillian (from England)
Posted by: Gillian Stevens | September 19, 2005 at 12:07 PM