Travel Guides

Inside The Peery Hotel Salt Lake City: A Boutique Hotel with History

If you’re heading to Salt Lake City and looking for a hotel with charm, character, and a prime downtown location, The Peery Hotel Salt Lake City is worth a look. I stayed here during a recent trip and loved being just a short walk from museums, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. This historic boutique hotel offers a unique stay that’s different from your typical chain, and in this post, I’m sharing my honest review—what I loved, what I didn’t, and everything you should know before booking.

View of the Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah from the street.

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🏛️ A Brief History of The Peery Hotel

The Peery Hotel has been a part of Salt Lake City since 1910, making it one of the city’s oldest continuously operating hotels. Built during the railroad boom, it was considered upscale for its time, with elegant architecture that still gives the building its charm today.

Over the years, it’s been carefully renovated to preserve its historic character while adding modern comforts. It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

And if you’re into ghost stories, rumor has it the hotel is haunted. Guests have reported everything from flickering lights to ghostly footsteps and mysterious figures in doorways. Whether you believe it or not, it definitely adds a fun twist to your stay! There’s

✨ First Impressions & Check-In Experience

I grabbed a quick rideshare from the airport, and drop-off at the hotel was smooth. There’s a designated pull-up area right out front. Walking into the lobby, I was immediately impressed. It was modern, clean, and had a welcoming atmosphere. The tall ceiling and wide staircase straight ahead when you enter make a statement, while the check-in desk is just off to the left.

Check-in was quick and seamless, just how I like it. There was no wait time at all. The staff member assisting me was friendly and professional, giving me a warm welcome along with the scoop on helpful amenities: luggage carts, location of the elevators, flavored water in the lobby (a small but appreciated touch), and a snack shop tucked under the stairs where you can grab a bite or heat something up in the microwave.

🛏️ Room Review & Features

I stayed in Room 246, a Double Queen, and it had just the right mix of old-school charm and updated features. The room was spacious and bright with great natural light, and while the decor leaned vintage, there were some modern touches—like a flat-screen TV, a bedside charging cube, and a sleek, Lavazza coffee maker. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a full length mirror anywhere in the room despite plenty of space for one.

The bed was comfortable, with both firm and soft pillows, and I didn’t have any issues with noise despite being downtown. I also appreciated the desk setup—it was comfortable enough for a few hours of work, with extra outlets and a vanity mirror that came in handy.

The bathroom, while clean and nicely updated, was tiny. I’m talking knees-touching-the-tub when I’m on the toilet, and my head almost touching the shower head, small. That said, the water pressure and temperature were surprisingly excellent, and all the basic amenities were provided, including a full-size body lotion, which was a nice touch in Utah’s dry air.

My room had a closet with an iron and ironing board, a safe, a luggage rack, and extra blankets. There was no fridge or microwave in the room, but a microwave was available downstairs in the lobby area. There was an easy-to-use thermostat that worked well. I like to keep my room much colder at night than during the day and the A/C cooled the room down fairly quickly. Some parts of the room showed wear—like frayed carpet edges and well-painted-over doorframes—but that’s part of the charm in a historic hotel like this.

🧴Beyond the Room: Hotel Amenities

While the Peery Hotel keeps things pretty simple on the amenities front, it still offers a few convenient perks that made my stay comfortable.

There’s a small fitness room in the basement if you’re looking to squeeze in a quick workout, along with a cozy lobby area filled with flexible workspaces—perfect if you’re traveling for business or just need to catch up on emails. I loved that there were multiple seating options throughout the hotel, making it easy to change up your scenery without having to leave the building.

Tucked under the main staircase, you’ll find a small convenience store with snacks, drinks, and a microwave, which is handy if you’re craving something quick. While the hotel doesn’t serve breakfast, there’s a cute little spot attached called Eggsburgh, and I highly recommend it. There’s also a tapas-style restaurant and bar attached if you’re in the mood for something a little fancier later in the day. Just note that both are independently owned, so food and drinks aren’t included with your stay.

There’s no pool or hot tub on-site, which makes sense for a hotel built in 1910. There is no official parking at this hotel. However, there is a pay-to-park lot right behind the building that hotel visitors can park in. It’s not affiliated with the hotel in any way.

📍 Location, Walkability & Nearby Attractions

The location couldn’t have been more convenient. I was in Salt Lake City for a conference, and the venue was literally across the street—under three minutes from my room to my seat.

Beyond the conference center, the hotel is within easy walking distance of restaurants, breweries, and TRAX, Salt Lake City’s free light rail system that runs through much of downtown. If your plans keep you in the city center, you can skip the rental car entirely.

Despite being right in the middle of everything, the area was surprisingly quiet. I had no trouble sleeping and didn’t hear any city noise from my room.

As for getting around, scooters are everywhere—seriously, Salt Lake City might have a scooter overpopulation problem. But if scooters aren’t your thing, there’s also a GreenBike station just a five-minute walk away. The city is super bike-friendly, with clearly marked lanes and lots of room to ride. Biking is a great option for seeing more of downtown.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Service & Staff

My interactions with the staff were limited, but all positive. The person who checked me in was friendly and professional. I always got a warm hello when passing the front desk. I opted out of housekeeping during my stay, so I can’t speak to that specifically, but everything I experienced was smooth and pleasant.

💰 Price & Value

At the time of my stay, rates for The Peery ranged from $170 to $200 per night for a standard Double Queen or King room. That puts it above average in terms of pricing for downtown Salt Lake City—especially when compared to similarly located chain hotels, which often fall in the $140–$160 range.

So, is it worth it? That depends on what you’re looking for. What you’re really paying for here is the character—this is one of the oldest hotels in the city. It has unique architecture, historic charm, and a boutique feel that chain hotels just don’t offer. It’s not a luxury property, but it has personality, comfort, and a prime location that’s walkable to just about everything.

If you’re the kind of traveler who values ambiance and a story to go with your stay, The Peery still feels like a solid option. But if budget is a top priority, you can likely find similar amenities for a lower nightly rate elsewhere downtown.

⚠️ What Other Reviewers Mentioned (and What I Noticed)

Before booking, I did my research and saw a few recurring points in guest reviews. The reviews helped me make an informed decision on whether or not this hotel was for me. I want to address the complaints head-on and share if I experienced the same concerns:

  1. The rooms and bathrooms are really small.
    • My room was not small at all, but as mentioned, the bathroom was TINY.
  2. No hotel parking and parking behind the hotel is $25 a night and sketchy.
    • I can understand that parking is important if you’re visiting a new city by car, however, the reviews and hotel website state that there is no hotel parking available so I don’t think that should count against them. Everyone should have known that before booking if they took any time at all to look into the hotel.
  3. Old building smell present.
    • Again, I don’t think this should be a huge surprise for visitors booking a stay in a building that is over 100 years old. I noticed an old building smell in the hallways, but not in my actual bedroom.
  4. Thin walls and creaky floors.
    • As mentioned, I didn’t really have any issues with noise, but I also don’t know if I had neighbors in the room next to me. I didn’t hear anyone above, below, or next to me during my stay and didn’t hear any city noise except an occasional motorcycle, which I would have heard in any building. None of my floors creaked.

Every hotel, especially historic ones, has trade‑offs. I found the concerns valid but manageable, especially if you’re prepared. For me, the charm, location, and service outweighed the drawbacks. Just go in knowing what to expect, and you’ll likely enjoy the stay too.


3 -star customer review of the Peery hotel posted on TripAdvisor.
Actual review from a customer on TripAdvisor.com

🧳 Who Should Stay Here?

The Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City is a great fit for solo travelers, professionals in town for work, couples on a weekend getaway, or small families (think two adults and a kid or two). The location makes it especially ideal if you’re planning to explore downtown Salt Lake City without a car. It’s quiet, walkable, and packed with convenience. It’s perfect for travelers who like to keep things simple but comfortable.

It’s also a great pick for anyone who loves older architecture, historic buildings, or the occasional ghost story. The hotel has a unique charm and character that history buffs and lovers of all things vintage will appreciate.

📌 Final Thoughts: Would I Stay Here Again?

If I return to Salt Lake City, I would definitely consider the Peery Hotel again. Personally, I’d also look at the pricing of hotels that have an in-room fridge and microwave as that’s something I value, but it wouldn’t deter me from booking at the Peery again.

I knew what the hotel offered before I booked, so I wasn’t disappointed with the things people complained about in their reviews. I know it’s a very old building, and spaces weren’t created as big and open as they are now. With age comes wear and tear. I knew there wasn’t parking, but I didn’t have a car so that wasn’t an issue for me either.

Large, old, wooden cabinet in the lobby of the Peery Hotel

🚲 Bonus Tips for Your Stay at The Peery Hotel Salt Lake City

Transportation

There are multiple ways to get around Salt Lake City. Be informed by clicking the links below:

  • TRAX light rail (free and paid options)
  • Lime Scooters in Salt Lake City (app download required and pay via card only)
  • Spin Scooters in Salt Lake City (app download required and pay via card only)
  • Rideshare (app required, pay by card only. Use my code below if you’re a new customer to receive a discount)
    • RideShare Discount Codes:
      UBER – azv6ata6jk2y 
      LYFT – Katelynn804354
  • Rent a car (if you plan on leaving the city at all, I would suggest renting a car)

Haunted Old Town Tour

If you’re interested in the paranormal or ghost stories, Viator has a very affordable Salt Lake City Haunted Old Town tour. One of the tour stops is the Peery Hotel! I did not take this tour, but it has 94 five-star reviews!

Saving Money – If you plan on renting a car, taking a tour, or booking your hotel, be sure to check out Rakuten for money saving offers! Expedia, Viator, and multiple hotel booking sites frequently offer cashback!

Today’s (7/19/25) Rakuten offer for Viator is 12% cashback!

Eating at the Hotel Restaurant

I had breakfast at the restaurant attached to the hotel, Eggsburgh, during my stay, and enjoyed it. I’ll be writing a blog post soon with all my restaurant reviews from Salt Lake City and I’ll be sure to update this section when it’s complete.

📥 Booking Your Stay

As with any hotel, there are a bunch of websites you can use to book your stay. I was traveling for work, so I booked through my employer’s booking portal, but I suggest booking direct or through booking.com. Booking.com almost always has a cashback offer on Rakuten as well!

If, after reading this, you decide The Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City isn’t for you, there are a ton of other options in the city that may have what you’re looking for. Use the link below to see more options.