An increasing number of Salt Lake area hotels are offering their guests rooms with a view - of Sandy, South Jordan, Murray, Midvale and other points south.
Long a staple of the hotel industry in other major metropolitan areas, suburban hotels have established a foothold and are thriving in Salt Lake County. Though relatively few in number so far, some industry experts say the pioneers in the 'burbs have blazed a trail for more."With all the business and residential growth occurring out there, and the proximity to the ski resorts, the hotels have found themselves a healthy niche," said Julie Peck, executive director of the Utah Hotel Motel Association.
The southernmost edge of that niche - South Towne - appears to be evolving into one of the most fertile of the new suburban hotel districts. The Hampton Inn, Sleep Inn and Comfort Inn are doing so well that potential rivals have taken notice.
"I've spoken to one developer who is looking at the south valley, and I've heard rumors of others checking it out," Peck said. "From an industry perspective, there are some pluses to being out there."
Sandy Hampton Inn president Guy R. Woodbury wholeheartedly agrees with that assessment, saying the location offers many business and leisure travelers more convenience, comparable amenities and lower rates than the big downtown hotels.
"It's a strong market," said Woodbury, whose company also owns the Radisson Hotel near the airport and the Holiday Inn in St. George. "We knew a higher-end hotel would do well in this area, but it has exceeded our expectations."
He said South Towne - the area around 10600 South and I-15 - is emerging as a prime location for hotel properties because it offers no-nonsense business travelers easy access to their suburban destinations: Discover Card, Novell, National Semiconductor, Kennecott, National Guard facilities and others.
"We also get the Provo overflow," added Hampton Inn general manager Ed W. Christensen. Leisure travelers typically account for about 40 percent of the hotel's guest list, he said, and skiers are a big part of the business.
And the suburban hotels also cater to a lot of families in town for reunions or visits with relatives or friends in the nearby neighborhoods. "We get a lot of relatives of Sandy residents," Christensen said.
Rates in the suburbs are generally between $20 and $40 lower than downtown, and while the suburbs don't offer the nightlife and atmosphere available downtown, Woodbury says South Towne isn't the boondocks either.
"There is a lot to do here," he said, pointing to the neighboring 10-screen movie theatre, mall, restaurants and his inn's own meeting facilities. "I think 106th (South) really is becoming another hub in the Salt Lake Valley."
The downtown hotels are expected to continue to dominate the big convention market, but Woodbury believes the suburban hotels can compete in other areas.
"There are a lot of travelers out there who, for a variety of reasons, prefer not to stay in downtown areas," he said.
Christensen said suburban hotels are especially appealing to older travelers, motoring tourists and guests who simply like a bed-and-breakfast atmosphere with hotel amenities.
Eager for the economic growth and status that hotels offer, the suburban cities have been promoting hotel development. Sandy, for example, assisted the development of the Hampton Inn by including it in a redevelopment agency project.
The suburban hotels now account for about 10 percent of the 10,000 rooms in the Salt Lake Valley, and the industry generally - downtown and in the suburbs - appears to be doing well, according to Peck.
"In the mid-80s, we were so over-developed that a number of the major properties showed lower occupancy rates," she said. "Now, we've caught up, and most occupancy rates are high."
Average room rates have also increased, signaling a strong upturn in the industry, she added.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Major inns in S.L. suburbs
Sleep Inn, 10676 S. 300 West, South Jordan, 68 rooms
Hampton Inn, 10600 S. I-15, Sandy, 131 rooms
Comfort Inn, 8955 S. 255 West, Sandy, 98 rooms
Discovery Inn, 380 W. 7200 South, Midvale, 89 rooms
Best Western Executive Inn, 280 W. 7200 South, 92 rooms
Days Inn, 315 W. 3300 South, 40 rooms
La Quinta Inn, 530 N. Catalpa Road, Midvale, 122 rooms
Reston Hotel, 5335 College Drive, Murray, 100 rooms
Quality Inn South, 4465 S. Century Drive, Murray, 131 rooms