Sixty Years of Staying: The Stories Our Guests Carry With Them

Little America Hotel Salt Lake City opened in 1966. In the six decades since, it has been a lot of things to a lot of people: a honeymoon destination, a family headquarters, a quiet place to land after a long day at Huntsman, the hotel where grandma loved the fireplace, the place where a song became a memory.

This summer, we asked our guests to share their stories. Here is a small glimpse of what they gave us.

Thirty-One Years of Anniversary Mornings

Kevin and his wife spent the night of their wedding, March 30, 1995, at Little America Salt Lake City. They have come back every year since, for thirty-one anniversaries and counting. They always request a room in the Tower so they can look out at the city lights together and just talk.

"We love the staff, atmosphere, rooms, and of course breakfast in the morning at the Coffee Shop," Kevin wrote. "It's a fun, special, memorable experience for both of us each time we stay."

Watching the Parade from the Balcony

Angie's family connection to the hotel ran deep. Every 24th of July, her grandparents would rent the same room on the 7th floor, and the whole family would come: swimming, watching the Pioneer Parade from the balcony, looking down at the people staking their spots on the sidewalk below.

"These memories are some of my very favorite with my grandparents and family," she wrote, "and the Little America Hotel will always hold a special place in my heart."

A Four-Year Tradition Built Around a Daughter

John drove from Massachusetts to Salt Lake City the first time to visit the University of Utah campus with his daughter before she enrolled. He stayed at Little America. He came back every year for four years, always at the same hotel, always for the Coffee Shop breakfast.

His daughter just graduated, and he is already planning his next visit for a Utah football game.

"This is the only place that I would consider staying," he wrote. "I love this hotel and the memories it contributed to my family."

Forty-Six Years and Counting

Erin's first visit to Little America was her honeymoon, forty-six years ago in August. She has been back for General Conference, for Christmas lights, and for seasons she doesn't name but doesn't need to. Her children came. Her grandchildren came.

"We have loved staying with you and have made many friends who have worked there over the years," she wrote. "Thank you for making our memories so wonderful."

A Song in the Lobby

Jenny came to Little America for a weekend getaway with her boyfriend in February. They sat by the blazing fireplace in the lobby and listened to the piano player. One song stood out to them—"Arthur's Theme" by Christopher Cross.

"We have now added this song to our playlist because of the magical moment we shared in the lobby," she wrote. They watched the sunrise from the heated pool the next morning, steam rising off the water. They had breakfast at the Coffee Shop. "We would love to create more memories at The Little America."

A Christmas Tradition, Carried Forward

Christa's family started coming to Little America when she was very young. Every year after Christmas, her parents would bring the kids to the city for a few nights to shop at Crossroads Mall, see the Nutcracker, and eat most meals in the café or by room service. Little America was her mother's favorite place.

Her mother passed away unexpectedly in 2019, but the tradition endured.

"We always request to stay above the tenth floor because she loved it. We order room service and eat all of the fresh rolls we can because of her. We sit by the fireplace and listen to the piano player at Christmastime because it always brought her such joy."

"I'm so grateful for what Little America has meant to us over the years and that it allows us to keep such a tangible part of our Mom and Grandma in our lives."

A Dinner Before Christmas

Linda and her husband had a table by the fireplace in the dining room just before Christmas—their favorite spot. Three weeks later, her husband passed away unexpectedly.

"How grateful I am that one of our last dates together was dining at our favorite place," she wrote. "Little America is a true gem."

A Place of Peace in a Hard Chapter

Jenny A. has been coming to Little America since she was a little girl; first for school shopping trips, then with her own children, carrying the tradition forward. Her visits changed in recent years. Her mother began receiving treatment and surgery at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and those trips to Salt Lake City came weighted with a different kind of hope.

But Little America was still there.

"In the middle of long appointments and hard conversations, it has been a familiar and comforting place to land," she wrote. "Somehow, in a season filled with uncertainty, Little America has held both our old memories and our new ones."

"It's become more than a hotel to our family. It's been part of our happiest traditions and, unexpectedly, a place of peace during one of the hardest chapters we've walked through together."

A Blanket Staple, a Familiar Room, a Special Night

James booked a room for his 45th anniversary after spotting a Black Friday deal that put Little America within reach. He and his wife had a garden king room and loved it.

They have been back twice now.

"It makes for a good night out of town and a special thing here and there," he wrote, "even if just because."

Sixty years. Millions of guests. Stories that span honeymoons and hospital visits, childhood summers and final dinners, lobby piano songs that became part of a couple's shared playlist.

The Summer Celebration Series continues through August 2026. We are still collecting your memories—submit yours here .