Wheelchair Jimmy Comments
INCLUDES MAY 2022 UPDATE
Our visit in April 2019 (and again in May 2022) was planned to visit the Family History (Genealogy) Library. There are multiple other choices including Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Holiday Inn Express. These are all close to the Convention Center but the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel is the by far the closest to visit the Library.
It’s located on the historic Temple Square and on the same block as the world renowned Family History (Genealogy) Library. It’s across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center, the Mormon Tabernacle, and TRAX light rail system and kitty corner from the new City Creek Center. The Plaza hotel has a total of 250 rooms although 100 are allocated as dorms for nearby colleges. There are 7 wheelchair accessible rooms including 2 with roll-in showers.
While the outside pictures look like an older property (it looked “tired” in 2022 and in need of renovations – perhaps a pandemic casualty), the lobby and rooms are beautifully decorated. We stayed in room 819 across from the elevator with 2 very nice queen beds with lots of space between beds and in the room. The beds were excellent with bed height at 27 inches. The bed sat on a solid frame so a Hoyer lift doesn’t work. The bathroom area has the sink located outside the shower toilet/shower area. The toilet/shower area is very large which works for all sized wheelchairs. The pull-down bench seat was nice but you cannot reach the shower controls. Housekeeping service was not really available in 2022.
The hotel entrance has a few steps but there’s an easy ramp. Parking is in the garage with 5 van accessible parking spaces and an automatic door for hotel entry. You must first check-in and obtain parking ticket.
The only issue is dining: is no longer and food or drink whatsoever in 2022. The previously attached JB’s Restaurant has permanently been closed (bummer), thus I am downgrading the property to a WJAR 3. All other restaurants are mostly located 3-5 blocks away in the City Creek center or other hotels. I rolled about 5 minutes from the Plaza to the Brio Tuscan restaurant and the Cheesecake Factory for our 2 evening dinners. From the Plaza Hotel to City Creek you’ll need to cross 2 sets of light rail train tracks. No big deal.
If you’re looking at visiting the Library, the nearby Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek is an excellent option and is close to everything but the room rate is far higher at over $200/nite. Our Salt Lake Plaza rate was $107/night in 2022. The Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek has both full service breakfast and dinner as well as a Starbucks. Next time I visit I’ll stay at the Marriott, and it’s a level roll to the Library. The other good hotel option is the Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown on S. Temple just 2 blocks away. They too have breakfast and dinner service although the street grade is a bit steep if you’re visiting the Library.
On the WJAR index the Salt Lake City Plaza gets downgraded a 3. When I visit the Family History Library again, I’m staying at the Marriott Downtown at City Creek. Although the Plaza is a very nice hotel at an excellent price, I prefer a hotel with dining options.
Step Free Entrance
Wide Doorway Entrance
Relatively Flat Entrance
Common Areas Step Free
Accessible Restroom in Hotel Lobby
I Booked a WC Accessible Room
Bed Height Accessible (less than 30 inches)
Wide Clearance Around Bed (min 36 inches)
Step Free Access
Wide Clearance to Shower & Toilet (min 36 in)
RI Shower has Pull-Down Bench Seat
RI Shower Controls NOT Reachable
RI Shower has Grab Bars
RI Shower has no Shower Lip
Accessible Breakfast Room
Self Parking Availability
77 Reviews
We visited the Salt Lake City Plaza Hotel at Temple Square in April 2019 for our family ancestry exploration and our day at the Family History (Genealogy) Library. This property was perfect, very nicely renovated and without doubt the best location in the city to visit the Library. And totally wheelchair accessible. If you’re thinking of ancestry, don’t even consider the nearby Marriott or others. Stay at the Plaza!
