Where to stay in Salt Lake City- A Guide to the Capital of Utah
Salt Lake City, is the capital and the most populous city in Utah. It is located in the Wasatch Front Valley, in the north of the state. Salt Lake City, often abbreviated “SLC” is considered a multicultural city with great restaurants, good nightlife, and efficient public transport services. In this post, we will talk about the best areas to stay in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The climate in SLC is characterized by long hot summers and brief dry winters with heavy snowfall. The best time to visit Salt Lake City is from mid-June to early September.
The Salt Lake City International Airport, located 4 miles west of the city center has connections to domestic and some international destinations.
To move through the districts, Salt Lake city has a very efficient public transport system consisting of commuter trains, buses, and light rail. Commuter trains, called FrontRunner offer connections from Ogden, in the north to Provo, in the south.
Salt Lake City attractions include the Salt Lake Temple, located Downtown, the Utah Museum of Natural History, and nearby Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The best area to stay in Salt Lake City is Downtown. This lively district offers the best transportation options to other areas, the widest offer of accommodation, as well as restaurants and entertainment. See accommodation in Downtown Salt Lake City.
Other fairly central areas to keep in mind when choosing the best location in SLC include East Salt Lake City and Sugar House.
If you’re visiting Salt Lake City for hiking or skiing, make sure you check out accommodation in other SLC metro area places like Sandy, Ogden, Provo, Lehi, or Orem.
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Salt Lake City.
Best Location in Salt Lake City, Utah: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Salt Lake City depending on your travel style. Keep reading this post to find all the information you need about each particular area.
- Best location in Salt Lake City for sightseeing: Downtown SLC
- Best location in Salt Lake City for nightlife: Downtown SLC | Sugar House
- Best location in Salt Lake City for hipsters: Sugar House
- Best location in Salt Lake City for first-time visitors: Downtown SLC
- Best location in Salt Lake City for nature lovers: Provo | Ogden
- Best location in Salt Lake City for skiing: Ogden
- Best location in Salt Lake City for business travelers: Downtown SLC
- Best location in Salt Lake City for LGBT travelers: Downtown SLC
Best Hotels in Salt Lake City by Theme
Something more specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the best hotels in SLC. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!
- Most unique hotel: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City
- Best mid-priced hotel: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown
- Best budget hotel: Comfort Inn Downtown Salt Lake City
- Best luxury hotel: Grand America Hotel
- Best boutique hotel: The Peery Salt Lake City Downtown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Best hotel with a pool: Marriott Salt Lake City Center
- Best inn / B&B: Ellerbeck Bed & Breakfast
- Best hostel: SLC Hostel
- Best ski resort: Sundance Mountain Resort
The best areas to stay in Salt Lake City, UT
1. Recommended area: Downtown SLC
Salt Lake’s city center (Downtown) stands out for its historical architecture, shops, restaurants and great nightlife.
Downtown Salt Lake City is home to art galleries, live music, fine dining, the Farmers Market, the great City Creek Center, the public library, the planetarium, and the Mormon Tabernacle.
Downtown is also very well-connected to other areas of Salt Lake City through the blue, green and red lines of the light rail system.
Other activities to do in Downtown Salt Lake City include visiting the Pioneer Park, the Gallivan Center, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Because it is the heart of the city, Downtown offers the widest variety of accommodation in SLC. Hotels here come in all shapes and prices.
As is to be expected, Downtown Salt Lake City is one of the best areas to stay in Salt Lake City for business.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in SLC:
- City center
- Shopping area
- Connected by public transport
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Little America Hotel Salt Lake City
This Salt Lake City hotel is 5 minutes’ drive from Temple Square. The hotel offers an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, on-site boutique shops and an award-winning Sunday brunch.
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Budget
Hotel RL Salt Lake City
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, a 5-minute drive from Temple Square, this hotel features an on-site restaurant and outdoor pool. It also has a gym and comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi.
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Luxury
Grand America Hotel
This hotel is located in downtown Salt Lake City, 10 minutes’ drive from the University of Utah. The hotel offers a full-service spa and rooms with an iPod docking station.
2. East SLC (near the Utah Museum of Natural History)
The east side of Salt Lake City, also known as East SLC is recommended for travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown and enjoy a stay surrounded by nature.
In this area, you can find the famous Museum of Natural History with an exhibition of more than 1.6 million objects that show the natural history of Utah and the Intermountain West.
To travel to other Salt Lake districts, you can use the red light rail line at different stations along Mario Capecchi Street.
Those staying in this area can enjoy activities such as hiking in The Living Room Trailhead or going to This Is The Place Heritage Park
Another leisure option in East SLC is to visit the Fort Douglas Military Museum, designated as a national historic monument.
South of the Museum of Natural History you can find Hogle Zoo, ideal for those traveling with family.
East SLC is one of the best areas to stay in Salt Lake City to know the history of Utah, and there is also a wide range of hotels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in SLC:
- Museum of Natural History
- Hiking
- Light rail stations
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
University Guest House & Conference Center
This hotel is located on the campus of the University of Utah and offers a fitness center. The Salt Palace Convention Center is 15 minutes away by car. A free hot breakfast is served every morning.
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Budget
Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-East
Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-East is located in Salt Lake City, 9 km from Tabernacle and 3.4 km from Utah s Hogle Zoo. The property has a fitness center.
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Luxury
Salt Lake City Marriott University Park
Located at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, this hotel offers a fitness center. The property houses a restaurant, a cozy lounge and a Starbucks coffee shop.
3. Sugar House
Sugar House is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City and is known for its youthful atmosphere.
This area is also famous for being one of the hipster neighborhoods in Salt Lake City Here you can find shopping centers, bars, restaurants and a bustling nightlife.
Sugar House is also home to bistro-style restaurants, bars, the Westminster College of Liberal Arts, department stores, and the great Sugar House Park.
Several bus lines cross this area, and the most commonly used mean of transport is the S line of the light rail that runs from east to west.
Sugar House is a great area to stay in SLC thanks to its good transport network and hotels of different types, including budget and luxury hotels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay:
- Hipster area of SLC
- Great nightlife
- Shopping and food
4. Ogden
Ogden is a separate city in the SLC metro area.
Located 10 miles north of downtown Salt Lake City, Ogden is considered the main gateway to explore the area’s ski resorts such as Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Nordic Valley.
Other than skiing, this lovely area offers some local attractions like the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, Historic 25th Street, and the Ogden Union Station railway museum.
Although Ogden is considered an independent town, it is connected by SLC road.
There are 4 different bus lines connecting Ogden to Downtown SLC.
Ogden is also very well-connected via the FrontRunner commuter rail.
This city is home to several accommodations that range from small, privately-owned inns and holiday homes in the mountains to modern downtown hotels and tourist apartments.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in SLC:
- Well-connected by commuter train and bus
- George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
- Best area in SLC for skiing
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Tru By Hilton Ogden, Ut
Featuring barbecue facilities, Tru By Hilton Ogden, Ut is located in Ogden in the Utah region, less than 0.6 mi from Ogden Eccles Conference Center and 3.7 mi from Golden Spike Arena. This 2-star hotel offers a shared lounge and an ATM. The property features an indoor pool, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk.
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Budget
Holiday Inn Express Ogden
Located off Highway 84/15, this hotel offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and a cable TV. It features a sports court and indoor pool and is 3.4 mi from Ogden-Hinckley Airport.
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Luxury
Hampton Inn and Suites Ogden
Next to Eccles Conference Center in downtown Ogden, this hotel includes a daily hot breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms.
5. Sandy
Sandy is a city in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area.
Located 13 miles south of Downtown SLC, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, this mostly suburban town is a great area to stay in the SLC metro region.
Some of Sandy’s local landmarks include Hale Center Theatre, RioTinto Stadium, The Shops at South Town, and the Sandy Amphitheater.
Sandy offers the Bells Canyon Trail, a 4.5-mile trail featuring a lake and a waterfall for nature lovers. It’s great for hiking and snowshoeing.
Sandy is well-connected by bus and train. The UTA bus system operates two normal lines, three FLEX lines, and one ski service connecting the historic center to Alta Ski Area and Snowbird.
Salt Lake City’s light rail system (TRAX) offers four different blue line stations connecting Sandy to Downtown SLC.
The best part is that Sandy offers a wide range of budget and mid-range accommodation, so staying here is cheaper than in the SLC more central districts.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in SLC:
- Well-connected by light rail and bus
- Bells Canyon Trail
- Convenient for a ski trip
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy
Offering an outdoor pool, Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy is in Sandy. Free Wi-Fi access is available. All rooms featured mountain views and a full kitchen.
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Budget
Extended Stay America – Salt Lake City – Sandy
This Extended Stay America – Salt Lake City – Sandy is located in Sandy and especially designed for longer stays, with all rooms featuring a fully equipped kitchen. The hotel offers free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk.
6. Provo
Provo is an independent city in the Salt Lake City–Provo–Orem metro area.
Located 43 miles south of Salt Lake City, along the Wasatch Front, Provo is home to Brigham Young University.
This important university offers several museums such as the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, the BYU Museum of Paleontology, and the BYU Museum of Art.
Other cultural attractions in Provo include the Crandall Historical Printing Museum, Covey Center for the Arts, and the Provo City Library.
However, Provo is especially known for its proximity to some of Utah’s most breathtaking natural sights.
Several hiking trails, including the ones leading to Mount Timpanogos, Y Mountain, Bridal Veil Falls, Rock Canyon, or Provo Peak start here.
Provo is also very well-connected via public transport to Salt Lake City. Public transportation options include bus services operated by UTA and the FrontRunner commuter train.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in SLC:
- Well-connected by commuter train and bus
- Several museums and cultural attractions
- Nature and hiking trails
- Convenient for a ski trip
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hyatt Place Provo
Hyatt Place Provo features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, a bar and shared lounge in Provo. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a business center, along with free WiFi throughout the property.
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Budget
Ramada by Wyndham Provo
This nonsmoking hotel is located just minutes away from the Provo business district and offers free WiFi, and a full breakfast buffet.
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Luxury
Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
This hotel is located less than 3 mi from Uinta National Forest and Brigham Young University. It has an indoor pool, and offers spacious rooms with luxury bedding and free Wi-Fi.
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