Salt Lake City is slated to see the opening of two luxury hotel brands in its downtown area later this month. The 144-room Le Méridien Salt Lake City Downtown and 126-room Element Salt Lake City Downtown will open at 131 S. 300 West as the city’s first dual-branded hotel. The opening will mark the first Element and Le Méridien combination opened by the Marriott hotel chain. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}
The hotels are part of Phase 1 of The West Quarter, a mixed-use development that includes a residential building, retail space and restaurants and spans an entire block in the city’s Warehouse District between Vivint Arena (the home venue of the Utah Jazz) and the Salt Palace Convention Center. “This dual property celebrates many wins and milestones which truly elevate the hospitality market in downtown Salt Lake City,” said Ryan Ritchie, owner of the property’s developer, The Ritchie Group, a second-generation family development group based in Salt Lake City. “The vision of The West Quarter is to connect and extend the two halves of downtown — The Gateway and City Creek Mall.”
Stan Kaminski, senior vice president of hotel operations for AZUL Hospitality Group, the hotels’ manager, noted that the properties are geared toward both long- and short-term guests.
“Combining these two powerhouse brands allows us to deliver a more diverse guest experience while offering product features unique to each,” Kaminski said. “Element guests enjoy the brand’s hallmark longer-stay amenities such as kitchenettes and oversized guestrooms as well as Le Meridien’s elevated dining and entertainment experience. Le Meridien guests find the brand’s refined, design-forward offering along with the Element brand’s signature amenities such as a robust fitness facility, saline outdoor pool and hydration stations throughout the hotel.”
Designed by HKS with interiors by Studio HBA, the dual-brand property also includes eco-conscious amenities that reflect the Element brand, including electrical vehicle charging stations and free bike rentals.
Azure Tackert, vice president of marketing and e-commerce for AZUL Hospitality Group, describes Le Méridien as the “first distinct premium product” in the market; as such, the property focuses on delivering an elevated experience distinct from a boutique high-end luxury product.
“Inspired by a French airline, Le Meridien’s emphasis is on travel while truly embracing everything the city has to offer. Thus, Le Meridien’s guestrooms incorporate European elements such as the imported emerald tile adorned showers and Illy coffee in addition to showcasing the beauty that is Salt Lake with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown,” Tackert said.
The property’s on-site dining outlets include Van Ryder, a rooftop bar with city and mountain views, and Adelaide, a street-level urban brasserie and bar with a private dining room and an outdoor patio space. For additional meetings and events, two open-concept meeting spaces and a pre-function area totaling 8,355 square feet are available.{/mprestriction}
