Hotels near the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City

As I wrote in another article, several genealogy conferences are being held in or near Salt Lake City from April 26 to May 1. Two of them, included the biggest of the four, will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center which, in turn, is within walking distance to the Family History Library, Temple Square, and a number of other area attractions.

As you might expect, some nearby hotels are already fully booked. However, this city hosted an Olympics only a few years ago. As a result, Salt Lake City has a lot of modern, attractive hotels with prices ranging from economy to super luxurious. Not all of them are fully booked.

Many (but not all) of these hotels are located near Trax, Salt Lake City's clean and quiet trolley system. Trax also has a stop that is about midway between the Salt Palace Convention Center and the Family History Library. From that stop, you can walk to either attraction within a minute or two. More information about Trax may be found at http://www.rideuta.com/ridingUTA/tripPlanner/default.aspx. A trip planner from any location in greater Salt Lake City may be found at http://www.rideuta.com/ridingUTA/tripPlanner/default.aspx.

Many of the hotels that are not convenient to Trax will run free shuttle vans to the Salt Palace Convention Center and the Family History Library. Check with your hotel of choice in advance to make sure.

Prices at the hotels vary widely. However, be aware that many hotels charge exorbitant fees for parking or for wi-fi access while other, nearby hotels will offer the same amenities free of charge. Prices in hotel restaurants also may be much higher than equivalent meals in nearby independent restaurants.

One thing I have learned is that Salt Lake City prices are very flexible and are often increased on busy weekends when a major event is being held in the Salt Palace Convention Center. You can easily check the rates and availability for the dates you wish to stay on each hotel's web site.

Most hotels offer discounts for AAA, AARP, or senior citizens. The term "senior citizen" is sometimes defined as anyone as young as 60 years old. Check your hotel's web site to find their definition of "senior citizen." Even for youngsters as young as 50 years old, a $16/year membership in AARP may return much greater savings in hotel room charges.

I have added my own comments about a few of the hotels that are familiar to me:

Little America Salt Lake City
$89/night and up for very pleasant rooms
http://www.littleamerica.com/slc/
500 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-596-5700
0.7 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
A short, free ride to the Salt Palace Convention Center on Trax
FREE wi-fi Internet connectivity
The hotel is 100 percent non-smoking
Each room includes plasma televisions, Italian marble baths, a work desk, two-line telephones, plush terry robes, and more.
Free parking

Comments by Dick Eastman: A delightful hotel. This is not the cheapest hotel in Salt Lake City, but, given the amenities, I consider this to be one of the most cost-effective. Free parking, free wi-fi, and free rides on Trax to the convention center and to the Family History Library will minimize your total expenditures. The hotel's restaurants are a bit expensive but not as high-priced as some other hotels. There are several other restaurants within walking distance (Market Street Grill, the Melting Pot, and my favorite: Legends Pub & Grill). The hotel's lobby and rooms are well furnished and provide pleasant surroundings. I have stayed at the Little America Hotel several times and have always enjoyed it. This is my preferred hotel in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown (across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center)
$219 per night for one double room
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/slcut-salt-lake-city-marriott-downtown/
75 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 USA
Phone:  1-801-531-0800
High-speed Internet access: wireless in the lobby, wired access in each room for $12.95 per day (outrageous!)
On-site parking, fee: $2 per hour, $12 daily
Valet parking, fee: $16 per day
Various off-site parking garages and lots, prices vary from $7 per hour (outrageous!) to $7 per day

Comments by Dick Eastman: You can't beat the convenience of the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown; it is across the street from the Convention Center. This is a great location for anyone with walking difficulties. It is also a very pleasant hotel, typical of most Marriotts. However, the prices are high, and then the hotel gouges you even more for Internet access, parking, and more. Throw in a bit more for taxes, and your total bill could reach $250 to $275 per day plus meals! I'd suggest you avoid this hotel unless you really need the short walking distance.

Residence Inn-Marriott
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/slcri-residence-inn-salt-lake-city-city-center
285 West Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
0.6 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Telephone: 801-355-3300
Convention Rate: $119/- single/double, $129/- triple/quad
Regular Rate: $169/night and up
Valid for stay from 26 April to 3 May 2010.
FREE high-speed Internet, microwave, in-room coffee, and buffet breakfast.
Cutoff date: 27 March 2010. Must cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid one night's room charge.
Parking: Free.
Shuttle: Free.

Comments by Dick Eastman: This is a much more reasonably priced Marriott facility but with the disadvantage of being a long walk away from the Convention Center. I'd suggest you use the hotel's free shuttle van.

Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites
Both the convention rate and the Internet Special rate are identical: $99.16
http://www.crystalinnsaltlake.com/
230 West 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
0.8 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Telephone: 801-328-4466 or toll-free 800-366-4466
FREE high-speed Internet, microwave, in-room coffee, and buffet breakfast.
Rate Code: NGS10
Cutoff date: 26 March 2010. One night's deposit is required for each reservation. Must cancel 30 days in advance to avoid one night's room charge.
Parking: Free.
Shuttle: Free.
Is on or close to Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail system
Indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna and exercise facility
Full breakfast buffet is included in the room price.

Comments by Dick Eastman: the Crystal Inn has long been a favorite of genealogists. However, be prepared to walk some distance to the genealogy attractions.

Hotel Monaco
http://www.monaco-saltlakecity.com
$186/night for a double room
15 West 200 South
Salt Lake City, UT  84101
(801) 595-0000 - 274 reviews
0.3 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Free Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access for Kimpton InTouch Guest Loyalty members but others must pay a fee.

Comments by Dick Eastman: Luckily, you can join the Kimpton InTouch Guest Loyalty program at no charge at http://www.kimptonhotels.com/intouch/KIT_overview.aspx. Sign up in advance of your trip and then use the Wi-Fi Internet access free of charge. However, you will receive a lot of advertising email messages throughout the year from the Kimpton InTouch Guest Loyalty program. I used a disposable email address so that I won't be bothered with the ads.

Hilton Salt Lake City Center
$159.20/night with advance purchase, otherwise $199/night
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/SLCCCHH-Hilton-Salt-Lake-City-Center-Utah/index.do
255 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Tel: 1-801-328-2000
0.3 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Wireless High Speed Internet access available for a fee
Self Parking: $13.00/night, Valet Parking: $16.00/night

Peery Hotel
$95.77/night AAA and AARP rate, $147.23 regular rate
http://www.peeryhotel.com
110 West Broadway (300 South)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 521-4300
0.3 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
FREE wi-fi Internet connections

Embassy Suites Salt Lake City
$143/night and up for advance purchase, $159/night and up for regular rate
Discounts offered for anyone 62 or older, as well as AAA rates
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SLCTMES-Embassy-Suites-Salt-Lake-City-Utah/index.do
110 West 600 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Tel: 1-801-359-7800
0.8 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
100% suites, no individual rooms
FREE high-speed wireless Internet access in hotel suites and atrium
Rooms may seem expensive but include an excellent FREE cooked-to-order breakfast (not Continental breakfasts) that would cost $10 to $15 in most other hotels
Free airport shuttle

Comments by Dick Eastman: I have stayed at the Embassy Suites in Salt Lake City several times and have always enjoyed it. There's nothing like a suite to spread out and relax. The free cooked-to-order breakfasts are top-notch. A chef will cook omelets and most anything else to your satisfaction. This is not a "continental breakfast" with a few month-old muffins wrapped in shrink-wrap like those offered in some other hotels! The Evening Manager's free reception is also great. The downside is the distance to the genealogy attractions. The hotel has a shuttle van, and sometimes I have obtained a free ride on the shuttle. However, service is spotty, more of an "as available" basis than a regularly scheduled service. If you have an automobile available, you can supply your own transportation and will be glad that parking is free at this hotel.

Grand America Hotel
$232/night and up (Web special rate found only on http://www.grandamerica.com)
555 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 258-6000
0.7 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
A short, free ride to the Salt Palace Convention Center on Trax

Comment by Dick Eastman: If you can afford the prices, this 5-star luxury hotel is THE place to stay in Salt Lake City!

The following hotels are now listed as sold out for the conference dates. I am listing them anyway in case a few rooms become available at the last moment.

Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown - This hotel is currently sold out
http://www.radisson.com/hotels/utsaltlk
215 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
0.3 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Telephone: 801-531-7500 or toll-free 800-395-7046
Rate: $129/- single/double.
FREE high-speed wireless Internet
Rate Code: National Genealogical Society 2010 Annual Conference, from 04/24 – 05/02.
Cutoff date: 27 March 2010. One night's deposit is required for each reservation. Parking: $10 per day.
Shuttle: To and  from the airport is $7 each way.

Salt Lake Plaza Hotel - This hotel is currently sold out
http://www.plaza-hotel.com
122 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
5 minute walk to the Salt Palace Convention Center
Telephone: 801-521-0130 or toll-free 800-366-3684
Rate: $123/night single/double, $133/night for triple/quad.
Prices valid for stay from 19 April to 8 May 2010.
FREE high-speed wireless Internet, microwave, and in-room coffee.
Rate Code: 7373
Cutoff date: 26 March 2010. One night's deposit is required for each reservation. Must cancel 72 hours prior to day of arrival to avoid one night's room charge.
Parking: $5 per day.
Shuttle: Free.

Shilo Inn Suites Hotel - This hotel is currently sold out
Special conference rate: $109/night for single/double $119/night for triple/quad.
http://www.shiloinns.com/hotel_details.asp?PI=RSAUT
206 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
0.2 miles to the Salt Palace Convention Center, according to Google Maps
Telephone: 801-521-9500 or toll-free 800-222-2244
FREE high-speed wireless Internet
All rooms include microwave, in-room coffee, and hot plated American breakfast.
Call 801-521-9500; let the Front Desk Agent know that you want to book with The National Genealogical Society 2010 Annual Conference. The Front Desk Agent will assist or send you to the in house Reservations Manager.