RootsTech Hotels

I have heard of some confusion about the conference hotels in Salt Lake City for RootsTech, to be held February 10 through 12, 2011. I have read that at least one of the hotels was giving the "run around" to callers: the national number said to call the local hotel, the local hotel said to call the organizers, the organizers said to call the hotel, and so on. I need to make a reservation so I decided to call today and find out what the true story is.

The first hotel I called said "No problem!" and immediately made a reservation for me. The entire phone call lasted about two or three minutes, then a few minutes later I received a confirming email message.

I first checked the web site for the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, next door to the convention center. The web site said "No rooms available online, please contact the hotel by telephone" or some words to that effect. I then called the hotel at (801) 531-7500. A very pleasant lady named Leigh took my information, didn't mention any problems, and gave me the reservation at $89 per night plus taxes for one person. However, she advised me that I did have to mention the RootsTech conference to obtain that rate. She also stated that the web site should soon accept orders although you will have to use the code TECH to obtain a reservation. Simple.

The other participating hotel is the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square located across the street from the convention center. I went to the Plaza's web site at http:// www.plaza-hotel.com and found available reservations for $101 per night plus taxes for one person. However, information from Anne Roach, RootsTech Chair, indicates that the Plaza Hotel is also offering $89.00 per night, but you are only able to receive that rate through reserving by phone. Please mention that you will be attending the RootsTech conference to obtain that rate. You can make a reservation online or by calling the Plaza's reservations department at 800-366-3684 or at 801-606-2410

I have stayed at both hotels in the past and can vouch that they are both excellent facilities. Both of them are a 2-minute walk from the convention center. I prefer the Radisson although the Plaza is perhaps about 200 feet closer to the Family History Library.

The two hotels are about a one-minute walk apart. With both hotels, you will not need a rental car nor a taxi to walk to the convention center or to the Family History Library.

The two pictures shown here are of the two hotels. Click on either picture to see a larger image. The first picture is of the Radisson while the second picture shows the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. Both photos were taken from nearly the same spot, but the photographer(s) was facing in opposite directions for the two shots. See the light rail trolley in the foreground of each picture? It is the same trolley stop in both photos, just looking in different directions!

Information about the conference may be found at http://www.rootstech.org/

See you in Salt Lake City!