Little America Hotel

Little America Hotel is a large, old-fashioned hotel (though some rooms were modernized in 2015) that's popular with business travelers, particularly those attending conferences in the building. The lobby is a grand space, with a patterned marble floor extending to the front desk and pillars that reach to the second-floor ceiling. The space is broken up by area rugs and wood paneling on the walls. Beautiful chandeliers, quality furnishing, and gilded artwork give the space a formal -- if stuffy -- atmosphere. Rooms in the 17-floor Tower section are more attractive and contemporary than the dated units found in the low-rise buildings.

Little America Hotel is in Salt Lake City, a beautiful spot nestled between the Wasatch Mountains and Great Salt Lake. The area has decent nightlife and is popular with outdoorsy types for the beautiful landscapes surrounding the city. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, with a bus stop around the corner, a two-minute walk to the nearest rail stop, and a nine-minute walk to the Gallivan Plaza rail station. Within a 15-minute walk are numerous bars and restaurants, plus an ice-skating rink, several theaters (both live and cinema), and the Salt Palace Convention Center. Clark Planetarium -- a five-minute drive away -- includes IMAX 3D films and laser shows. Temple Square's beautiful gardens and religious sites are a six-minute drive from the hotel. Salt Lake City International Airport is a 10-minute drive away. 

Rooms at Little America Hotel range from dated, budget-friendly spaces to contemporary units with serene decor and higher-quality amenities. Garden Rooms are in the motel-like buildings spread around the property, with doors opening onto a walkway or narrow balcony over the parking lot. These rooms are well-kept and clean, but the patterned carpets in shades of blue and red, floral-patterned bedspreads, and mismatched furniture feel old and tired. Tower Rooms are in the high-rise section of the hotel and have an appealing, fresh design in serene hues of ivory, brown, and light blue. Their modern furniture is comfortable and rooms on higher floors have beautiful views of the city, including some with mountains in the distance. Rooms in both sections of the hotel are spacious, with sitting areas and vanities by the bathrooms. 

All rooms have a 32-inch flat-screen TV, iPod dock, coffeemaker, and a free safe. Most rooms have a mini-fridge, but not all. Garden bathrooms are dated -- think off-pink and blue tiling -- but well-maintained, while marble Tower bathrooms are sleek. They all generally include a shower/tub combo, sometimes with an over-sized tub. A hairdryer and free toiletries are provided. 

Quality amenities make this hotel a good pick for business and leisure travelers alike. The coffee shop is a large casual space with plenty of seating, serving all-day breakfast and homestyle meals. The second restaurant is a bar and grill with breakfast and lunch buffets, plus a dinner menu with local favorites. The food at both venues is reportedly good.

The main pool has indoor and outdoor space, with passage under a wall to access both sides from the water. There are lounge chairs both inside and out, plus a big hot tub indoors, but the space does get crowded. Another pool sits in a pretty walled garden and includes a wading pool to one side. Both pools offer a menu of drinks and light snacks that are served to lounging guests.

A small gym has a good range of equipment, as well as a sauna and whirlpool. There’s also a high-end gift shop with clothes and jewelry, and a mini-mart for everyday needs. Massages can be booked in-room, or guests may walk across the street to a sister hotel and access spa services there. Little America caters to business travelers with a variety of meeting spaces, from small group rooms to Grand Ballrooms for weddings and large events -- there’s a total of 25,000 square feet of meeting space. The business center off the lobby is tiny with a couple of computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but the connection is not strong in all buildings.