Picture an opulent hotel designed with Italian glass chandeliers from Murano and Milan, spa-like bathrooms wrapped in Italian marble and a gorgeous, manicured courtyard for outdoor receptions and events. Tea is an afternoon ritual while meeting guests can pop into the jewel box of a patisserie for a fresh-baked flaky croissant or a pain au chocolate, and, at the end of the day, the Mediterranean-like indoor and outdoor pools are great places to roll out a towel and relax.
You’re probably imagining a resort in Europe, but this is the scene in downtown Salt Lake City at The Grand America Hotel. Meeting guests can experience old world charm against a mountain backdrop at this 775-room hotel that was built to welcome the world to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Today, The Grand is a well-loved luxury destination for meetings and events. With 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, the hotel accommodates events of any size, and the support staff sets the tone for smooth meetings, anticipating the needs of the event planners.
“At The Grand, we believe that true luxury is an all-encompassing feeling,” says Bailee George, Director of Catering Sales at The Grand America Hotel. “It’s not just about ambiance or quality of amenity, but in the thoughtful touches that make our guests feel truly cared for. Without unwavering attention to detail and anticipatory service, the allure of physical luxury can feel empty. That’s why we are committed not only to having the most luxurious spaces in our hotel but also instilling the feeling of luxury through our careful service and warm hospitality.”
A hub for the West, Salt Lake City is an ideal place to meet. The newly renovated Salt Lake City International Airport is served by 13 airlines and their affiliates and offers more than 700 daily non-stop flights to and from 90 destinations, making it a breeze to get here. The airport is also just 10 minutes from downtown.
Ahead, a look at how meetings run smoothly at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, plus insider tips on what attendees can do in and around town if they arrive early or stay for a day or more after the event.
Seamless Meetings in Salt Lake City
The support staff takes The Grand to the next level. From dedicated staff that has been a part of the community since its inception to in-house catering and a one-of-a-kind audio and visual (AV) department, the teams all work together to ensure seamless and stress-free events.
The Grand America AV staff has more than 20 years of experience, and the hotel has state-of the-art equipment that allows the team to tailor the AV experience and match the needs of meeting and event planners. In fact, the Grand America proudly remains one of the only hotel organizations with an AV department made up of all internal employees.
“We think of ourselves as the blood pressure medicine,” says Matt Baliff, Senior Director of IT and Event Technology at The Grand America. “You’ve been planning the event for months, fine-tuning the design and reworking the logistics. When you arrive on-site, the rest of the details are on us to allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor and see the experience come to life.”
The Grand America Hotel staff’s attention to detail, excellent customer service and skillful adaptation combine to result in successful hybrid events, says Heidi Walker, Chief Operating Officer of the Salt Lake Chamber.
“The virtual attendee feedback has been outstanding, as those who have participated virtually feel just as engaged as those in person,” she says.
Being a family-run business shapes every aspect of how the hotel operates, says George.
“We prioritize building and nurturing relationships both within our internal teams and with our guests,” she says. “This familial atmosphere creates a welcoming and inclusive environment where guests feel like a part of our extended family from the moment they walk through the doors.”
Plus, she says, being a family-run business allows The Grand to be more adaptable in its operations.
“We have the flexibility to make decisions quickly, tailoring our services to meet our guests' individual needs and preferences,” she says.
Interactive Dining Stations Featuring Local Flavors
The Grand America Chefs have also created innovative dinner receptions that feature interactive stations that are a departure from the traditional buffet offerings, with some offerings showcasing Utah cuisine.
Through these interactive presentations, meeting guests can watch chefs mash avocado for the guacamole bar, create pasta for an Italian-themed station, or see a chef flash bake award-winning sourdough that’s then topped with house made ricotta cheese, sliced raw honeycomb and garnished with microgreens.
Some other local themes include a mountain style paella with a mix of local salami, assorted vegetables and a grilled lemon saffron aioli or a vegetarian paella made with a mix of assorted vegetables.
The Utah Carving Station features Tomahawk Steak from Jones Creek Beef Farm that’s slow roasted and carved by an attendant. The steak can be topped with Gold Creek Farms melted blue cheese and bordelaise sauce. The station also includes a large bone-in pork loin and cedar plank Utah trout with a rum glaze.
Dessert displays are also unique. The Sweet Treats of Utah transforms the Grand America gelato cart into a local ice cream cart featuring Farr’s Ice Cream and house made macarons. Freestanding dessert towers include sweets like a miniature lavender brûlée with Utah lavender and honey, Great Salt Lake salted caramel mousse and more.
How To Spend Your Free Time in Salt Lake City
Meeting guests who have some free time built into their travel plans will find there’s much to explore at The Grand America, downtown, and even nearby at world-class ski resorts or Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks. Here’s some ways to build out your Salt Lake City itinerary.
If You Have an Afternoon:
Take a self-guided art tour of The Grand America, which has a museum-like collection of paintings, tapestries and antique furniture and furnishings. The hotel’s impressive collection includes several gems, many with fascinating backstories. Take for instance the hotel’s Moscatelli chandeliers, which are 12 feet in diameter and the largest bronze and crystal chandeliers ever made. The family was fortunate enough to acquire a large amount of rare antique pendalux crystals that were hidden in the Czechoslovakian countryside by the family’s grandfather during World War II, then driven by him in a wagon to their Milan, Italy factory after the war.
City Creek Canyon is nearby for those who want to get out for a short hike and the Trax light rail stop outside the hotel makes it convenient to get around Salt Lake City’s downtown area.
If You Have a Day:
Enjoy a spa treatment, like a custom massage or facial, at The Grand Spa. Make it a relaxing spa day by enjoying the amenities, which include a dry sauna with a Himalayan salt wall, the indoor-outdoor pools and Jacuzzis, a eucalyptus steam room and more.
For dinner, enjoy classic European cuisine with a modern American approach at Laurel Brasserie & Bar (think: steamed mussels and clams with a spicy sausage and fennel pollen, French onion soup, steak and frites, pan-seared Branzino and artisan pizzas).
If You Have a Weekend:
The Grand is close to several ski areas in the Wasatch Mountain Range, including Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort, Alta and many more. Snowbasin Resort is a part of the hotel's portfolio and is just 40 minutes away. The year-round playground is a scenic spot to ski in the winter and hike, mountain bike or catch a concert in the warmer months.
The Grand Hotel staff can also help point guests to nearby canyons for hiking and scenic drives, including City Creek Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, the Emigration Canyon and Parley’s Canyon.
If you’re up for an adventure and a road trip, national parks that are reachable from Salt Lake City include Arches National Park, which is about 3 ½ hours away and has the densest concentration of stone arches in the world. Or hike in Bryce Canyon, which is reachable in four hours.