Two decades is a long time.

That’s how long the University Guest House and Conference Center has been serving the campus and its visitors. In that time it has seen a lot: the 2002 Winter Olympics, the joining of the Pac-12 and numerous other changes to the university, both big and small.

Just as the University of Utah has grown, the Guest House is proud to celebrate its latest expansion. An 18-month construction project recently added 30 guest rooms and additional meeting space to the affordable and comfortable on-campus hotel.

The expansion brings the Guest House to 175 guest rooms and 30 mini-suites, totaling 205 sleeping rooms. The Guest House also has 30,000 square feet of meeting space.

The expansion was made with a focus on allowing for long-term stays. Guests that are on-campus for medical treatment and other reasons will now be able to enjoy rooms better-suited to their needs. The added new rooms are larger, featuring two double queen beds and a sitting area with a pull-out couch that allows space for six guests to sleep. These rooms have two televisions and kitchenettes with refrigerators, cooktops, cookware, dinnerware and flatware.

“Because of our location to campus, we are excited to offer to campus visitors and University Hospital guests another option in mini-suites,” Guest House Director Perry Hacker said. “Guests can now cook their own simple meals and have more options to stay for longer periods of time. All of the campus and the hospitals are excited to have larger family-style rooms for extended stay guests.”

Guest rooms weren’t the only things added during the expansion. A pedestrian bridge connecting the Guest House to Legacy Bridge traffic was added in December of 2018. During the winter, half of the guest rooms will undergo interior renovations with new furniture, wallpaper and window treatments. Next winter, the other half will receive the same renewal. The Guest House lobby will also be getting revitalized with the addition of a new entry, a breakfast bar and more seating.

Nestled adjacent to Fort Douglas and Chapel Glen, the Guest House provides beautiful views of campus and the Salt Lake valley. It has consistently met and exceeded guest expectations; the Guest House has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 on TripAdvisor over the last six years in the competitive Salt Lake market, a group that includes 80 hotels.

All rooms at the Guest House include a complimentary hot breakfast, free parking and free Wi-Fi, and complimentary hotel shuttle service for the hospital and surrounding campus area. The Guest House’s proximity to a TRAX train station and a campus shuttle stop allows visitors to explore both campus and Salt Lake City with ease.

If you have family visiting over the holidays or need a space to host conferences, parties or meetings, test out the new and improved Guest House yourself. Information on the Guest House, including prices, amenities and accommodations, can be found here.