Another downtown Salt Lake hotel completes multimillion-dollar renovation

SALT LAKE CITY — A busy downtown hotel recently completed a major renovation, as it looks to remain competitive in the city’s growing hospitality market.

The Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 75 S. West Temple, announced Monday that it has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, giving it a “contemporary new look” to mark the beginning of a “new era” for the 44-year-old building.

Hotel executives declined to reveal the exact cost of the project, but they say it cost “tens of millions of dollars,” which was carried out in multiple phases. The final phase included updates to the building’s main lobby and meeting spaces, which were “reimagined to reflect the vibrant energy of downtown Salt Lake City,” according to hotel management.

Salt Stone and Destinations Lounge, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, also underwent updates as part of the project. That includes the addition of “locally inspired cuisine” on the menu, per the hotel. Guest rooms were updated in a previous phase.

“With this renovation, we’re proud to offer guests the best of both worlds — the heritage and history of Salt Lake City’s flagship downtown hotel, combined with the comfort and style of a newly refreshed property,” said Andreo Girardi, the hotel’s general manager, in a statement, adding that it “ensures we can continue to welcome business, leisure and group travelers for decades to come.”

The 510-room hotel, which first opened in 1981, will continue to offer space for conferences and social gatherings, such as fundraisers and weddings.

It’s the latest downtown hotel to get a makeover, as the market has become more competitive. Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown embarked on a similar multimillion-dollar renovation last year, updating all 381 of its guest rooms and other spaces within its 15-story building.

The two hotels account for some of the approximately 8,000 rooms considered within walking distance of the city’s “convention district,” which accounts for nearly half of the hotel rooms in Salt Lake County, according to Visit Salt Lake. The tourism wing of Salt Lake County reported earlier this year that 2 million room nights were sold in 2024, up 43% from 2019, showcasing the high demand for downtown hotels.

The number of hotel rooms has grown with the additions of the Hyatt Regency and the Asher Adams over the past few years, but other projects could be on the horizon to tap into the market.

For instance, Smith Entertainment Group’s long-term vision for the “sports, entertainment, culture and convention” district includes a hotel and a high-rise east of the Delta Center. While details about either project remain unclear, Salt Lake City officials signed off on a zoning change of the area last year that allows for building heights of up to 600 feet.