Little America Hotel

The Little America Hotel, the largest hotel in Salt Lake City, stands as a defiant beloved anomaly in downtown Salt Lake City. While new developments chase sleek glass and steel trends, this 850-room independent landmark embraces a philosophy of traditional, over-the-top comfort. It does not feel like a standard city hotel. Instead, it occupies ten sprawling acres of manicured grounds right on Main Street, creating a resort-style atmosphere that feels miles away from the urban grid. It is a place where history and consistency are the primary amenities. Locals and travelers alike treat it with a sense of nostalgia, valuing its robust build quality and unpretentious approach to luxury over fleeting modern fads.

The property is perhaps best defined by its refusal to compromise on space. In an era of shrinking hotel footprints, Little America offers some of the largest standard guest rooms in the state. The accommodations are divided between the Tower and the Garden Courts. The Garden rooms are particularly distinctive, offering drive-up convenience and direct access to the lush lawns, reminiscent of a grand era of motor travel, yet appointed with plush fabrics, imported furniture, and generous square footage. The rooms feel substantial and solid, designed for deep relaxation rather than just a quick overnight stop.

Dining here is not merely a service. It is a local cultural institution. The “Coffee Shop” is arguably the most famous casual restaurant in Salt Lake City. It defies the typical hotel café stereotype, serving thousands of meals a day to a devoted following who come specifically for the comfort food. The menu is legendary for its roast turkey, open-faced sandwiches, and house-made rolls. It is a place where business deals are discussed over breakfast and families gather for Sunday dinner. For a more formal experience, the Lucky H Bar & Grille offers a classic steakhouse environment, but the soul of the hotel remains in its accessible, high-quality comfort food.

The amenities reinforce the hotel’s identity as a self-contained retreat. The indoor-outdoor pool is a standout feature, allowing guests to swim from the warmth of the glass-enclosed interior directly out into the fresh Utah air under the sky. It creates a unique year-round experience, surrounded by the property’s trees and gardens. Retail is also a serious endeavor here. The retail shop is not a simple convenience store but a high-end boutique stocked with clothing, toys, and collectibles, drawing shoppers who aren’t even staying at the hotel. With its own station on the TRAX light rail line just outside the entrance, the Little America offers effortless access to Temple Square and the Delta Center, yet its strong sense of place often convinces guests to simply stay put and enjoy the classic atmosphere.