When Brigham Young and his followers first set eyes on the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847, the Mormon leader knew at once that their epic trek westward had finally reached its conclusion. He quickly chose a site for Temple Square—home to the Salt Lake Tabernacle and other Mormon monuments—which soon became the spiritual center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Airport occupies a convenient location about 3 miles from Temple Square, granting guests easy access to downtown. It's also only 3 miles to the airport, which can be reached via a free, 24-hour shuttle.

The hotel stands out among its neighbors thanks to an elegant façade adorned with cresting, gabled roofs. "Both the exterior and the lobby will remind you of Bavaria,” says Fodor's, referring to the mountain-chateau-like architecture and grand wooden staircase in the entrance hall.

The stately aesthetic extends to The Club Room restaurant, where plush chairs are stationed at tables draped in white linens. A wood-framed fireplace creates a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance for the continental breakfast buffet in the morning and à la carte meals at lunch and dinner. Head to the nightly manager's reception to enjoy a selection of free beverages from the restaurant's extensive menu of beers, wines, and spirits.

Guest rooms and suites were renovated in 2008 with new carpets and textured walls. Sleep Number beds were also installed, giving guests the option of adjusting the firmness of their mattresses instead of waiting for them to ossify.

Circled by mountains on every side, Utah's capital city occupies a fertile valley that draws tons of visitors each year looking to play in the great outdoors. Skiing is of course one of the most popular pastimes. Thanks to the nearly 500 inches of snow the area receives annually, several year-round resorts offer access to slopes suitable to skiers of all skill levels. Northwest of the city lies the Great Salt Lake—the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

Those interested in the origins of the city or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can check out the Church History Museum, home to a large collection of Mormon art and artifacts. If you’re looking to research your own genealogy, visit the Family History Library and search through a large database with the help of professional staffers and trained volunteers. The library is open to the general public for no charge. Before leaving town, don’t forget to take a tranquil stroll through the Temple Square gardens surrounding the iconic Salt Lake Temple.

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