Salt Lake City spreads across a broad valley at the foot of the Wasatch Range, with downtown laid out on a strict compass grid whose origin is the southeast corner of Temple Square. That grid makes navigation unusually simple: streets are named for their distance and direction from the temple, so an address tells you roughly where you are before you look at a map.
For a visitor, the practical question is whether to base yourself in the center, near the university, or out by the airport or the interstate. This guide covers the areas the sources identify, what each is like to stay in, and which one works best for a first trip. It deals in neighbourhoods and districts, not individual properties.
Best areas to stay in Salt Lake City
1. Downtown core (Temple Square and the convention district)
This is the historic and geographic heart of the city. Temple Square sits at the center of the address grid, and the blocks around it hold the densest concentration of places to stay, from large convention hotels to small historic buildings converted to accommodation. You are within walking distance of the temple, the City Creek Center mall, the Gallivan Plaza area, and the Salt Palace Convention Center.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants the sights on foot rather than behind a wheel. Business travellers are well served because several properties sit directly across from the convention center. Expect city noise and event crowds on busy weekends, and note that downtown sits above two offshoots of the Wasatch Fault, so the area is the subject of ongoing earthquake planning.
2. Capitol Hill and the Avenues
North and northeast of downtown, this area climbs toward the state capitol and is characterized by grand older mansions, some of which now operate as small places to stay. It is quieter and more residential than the core, with views over the valley.
It suits travellers who want a calmer base while remaining close to downtown, and those who prefer smaller properties to large hotels. The trade-off is terrain: the streets rise, so walking back from the center involves hills. The Avenues also has hostel-style budget accommodation, which makes it one of the few central areas open to very low budgets.
3. South downtown and Central City
The southern end of downtown, around Main Street and West Temple below the temple blocks, mixes landmark high-rises with mid-range and budget options. This is where you find the city's larger upscale hotels alongside simpler, more affordable places, and it remains a short walk from the convention center and the center of the grid.
It suits visitors who want a downtown location without paying the premium of the blocks closest to Temple Square, and it works well for travellers arriving by car, since the interstate and the belt route are easy to reach. Weekend rates in this district can be lower when business demand drops.
4. University of Utah and Fort Douglas
The university campus and the adjacent Fort Douglas area sit to the east of downtown, up against the foothills. Accommodation here is oriented toward campus visitors, conference attendees, and families visiting students, with guest-house and conference-center style lodging rather than conventional hotels.
It suits anyone with business at the university or its hospital, and travellers who want to be near the trailheads and foothill recreation on the east side. It is not a walking base for downtown sightseeing; you will rely on a car or transit to reach the center.
5. Airport and interstate corridor
West and northwest of downtown, along the interstate and around the airport, the accommodation is practical rather than scenic: airport hotels, suites, and a campground near a light rail station. This area exists for convenience, not for atmosphere.
It suits travellers with early flights, those passing through on a road trip, and anyone travelling with an RV, since the campground here offers full hookups and year-round operation. The trade-off is that you are removed from the sights and will need to drive or take the light rail into town.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostel beds in the Avenues and south downtown, simple older hotels and motels, and campgrounds with tent and RV sites near the light rail.
- Mid-range: chain hotels and suites in the downtown core and south downtown, plus guest-house and conference lodging on the university campus.
- Splurge: landmark high-rise and boutique hotels in the center and south downtown, including properties with historic architecture and elaborate interiors.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the downtown core around Temple Square and the convention district. It puts the temple, the address grid's origin, the main mall, and the convention center within walking distance, and it has the widest range of accommodation types. For a first trip, that combination of orientation and choice is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
How is the city laid out for a visitor?
Salt Lake City uses a compass grid with the southeast corner of Temple Square as the origin of the Salt Lake meridian, and all addresses in the valley are measured from that point. Once you understand that, finding your way around downtown becomes straightforward.
Where can I stay if I am travelling with an RV?
There are campgrounds west of downtown near the light rail and near the belt route, both open year round, with hookups, laundry, and other facilities for tents and RVs.
Which area is best if I want to be near the university?
The University of Utah campus and the Fort Douglas area to the east of downtown have guest-house and conference-center lodging, which suits campus visitors and those heading into the foothills.
Is downtown a good base for outdoor recreation?
The city's tourist industry is built largely on skiing and outdoor recreation, and the interstate and belt route make it easy to leave downtown by car for the mountains. Staying centrally does not cut you off from the outdoors, but you will drive to reach it.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page before you commit.