evo Hotel Salt Lake City

The rooms are compact, but laid out efficiently, and the balconies are a nice extra. Ours was next to the bar, so it could get noisy, though earplugs and a sound machine were provided and the bar closed around 10 or 11 each night. The ski bus stop is a few blocks away, and renting a car could be easier for skiing; there are park-and-ride lots near the mountain base. After a long day on the slopes, this is a fun place to come back to. The bar has good, inexpensive drinks, the downstairs cafe is excellent and offers guests free drip coffee, and the shop has what you might need. Staff across these spots were really nice and helpful. There's also discounted climbing and yoga in the building. We enjoyed staying here and would come again.

The patio was a great place to end the day, with a nice view and a good selection of beers. The on-site bar is wicked, and there are lots of shared spaces and cornhole boards that give the hotel a sociable feel. The room was smaller than a standard hotel room but had plenty of room for me, including space to store gear and hang sweaty clothes. I was impressed by the big fitness center and climbing gym next door. Access cost extra, but the discounted rate was worth it for all the equipment and space. I also liked the authentic, welcoming lobby and its coffee shop, where the coffees and smoothies were spot on. It's about a 10-minute Uber ride from the airport, and there are more restaurants and cafes nearby than around a typical airport hotel. A friend suggested I switch from my original airport booking, and I'm glad I did. evo Hotel checked every box for my two nights in Salt Lake City. It's my new go-to here, and I've recommended it to everyone planning a visit.

The bouldering was fun, and having a proper fitness area with everything you need is a cool idea. But the rooms felt extremely cramped, something I couldn't tell from the pictures. We had to keep our things in the bathroom, and it felt like being in a camper van. There was no window in our room, which felt claustrophobic; our child woke up screaming because it was completely dark and they couldn't see. Sleep was only okay, and I'm tired today. We didn't hear the gym, but the walls were thin enough that we heard a yappy dog, and we were glad to have a sound machine. Kids also can't go up to the rooftop with a parent. There's no mini fridge, just a shared microwave. The concept is neat, but it's not kid-friendly and felt too bare-bones for our vegan family, who need to bring food.

I recommend checking out the bar and store, and the hotel itself is really cool, with neat shops and activities. Sleeping there, though, was awful. The rooms were oddly small, and sound carried everywhere. You could hear the rock wall gate slam and people's gear hit the metal fence as they walked by. You could even hear noises from other guests' rooms, including through the door when passing. I wouldn't recommend staying overnight.