University Guest House & Conference Center

The University Guest House & Conference Center is a large modern hotel geared primarily toward guests with business at the University of Utah or its medical center. Conferences and wedding parties are held at the hotel -- while interiors in general are clean and spacious, they look just like most chain hotels across the country. The decor is done in muted beiges and maroons, with low ceilings, wall-to-wall carpeting, and simple contemporary-home furniture. There are comforting touches, however, such as the lobby's free hot chocolate and cider in the winter and free iced coffee and tea in the summer, a good selection of board games, and a chess set up. The hotel is located in the historic Fort Douglas area of campus, a long-time military outpost, and it honors its military heritage with displays of black-and-white photos hung throughout the guest rooms and common areas.  Location and nice views of the mountains and downtown Salt Lake City are this hotel's strong points.

The University Guest House & Conference Center is located on the University of Utah campus, in the historic Fort Douglas area, surrounded by lawns and sidewalks and students going about their business. At night, the area is well-lit and walkable. Aside from sports and medical facilities, the campus is home to the Natural History Museum of Utah, which is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, as well as several trailheads for hiking. Downtown Salt Lake City is not within walking distance, though, and it will take 10 minutes to reach by car. Alternatively, there's a convenient TRAX light rail stop a five-minute walk from the hotel that will take guests downtown. The light rail also goes to the Salt Lake City airport, which is a 25-minute trip. There is a golf course within two miles, and the Salt Palace Convention Center is a 15- to 20-minute drive from the University Guest House.

The 180 Guest rooms at the University Guest House & Conference Center come in a variety of configurations, from Standard Rooms with king or queen beds to Suites or studio apartments with kitchenettes. Rooms are spotlessly clean, and the decor is simple and generically modern, with beige wall-to-wall carpeting plus simple utilitarian furniture in cherry wood veneer, including work desks. Earth tones like deep brown and olive green appear in the soft furnishings, and black-and-white historical photographs hang on the cream-colored walls, putting a bit of local spin on the decor. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges, and microwaves. There's also a small loveseat. Bathrooms include long brown faux-marble vanities, shower/tub combinations, and toiletries. West-facing rooms on the higher floors have the best views of downtown Salt Lake City. Guests are advised to request rooms in the new part of the hotel for the best accommodations, though there have been some complaints about interior and exterior noise throughout the hotel. 

Though this is a mid-range hotel outside the city center, there are some surprising misses here, notably the lack of a pool and a proper restaurant or bar. The hotel does serve a free hot breakfast buffet daily, with a wide variety of choices, including pancakes and eggs -- it gets generally solid marks from guests. Breakfast is served in a spacious, social breakfast room with a small outdoor courtyard. There is a lobby gift shop stocked with snacks, drinks, microwaveable fast food, as well as University of Utah memorabilia. The hotel's fitness center is large and has a nice selection of modern cardio and weight equipment, as well as kettlebells, medicine balls, and more. The ceiling is low; the lights are fluorescent, and the floors are carpeted, but the size and scope of the gym exceed most fitness rooms for hotels in this category. There is a coin-operated guest laundry room. Up to 35,000 square feet of conference space are available across six different locations, making this a popular event destination. There are computers available for public use, but the hotel provides free throughout the property, and parking is free as well. A free shuttle runs to select area destinations.