Take just one step inside the Little America Hotel and you’ll immediately know that you’re in a Utah premiere hotel. From sparkling chandeliers to English wool carpets and European décor, every corner of the hotel is a welcoming embrace. But it’s not just the immaculate décor that makes it stand out. Whether you’re an overnight guest, event attendee or client, or a staff member, when you’re inside the hotel, you become part of the Little America family.
Founded in 1952, Little America Hotel is a Salt Lake City treasure. “When Little America Hotel opened, the goals were high. We’ve always gone above and beyond to create a place of quality, consistency and friendliness,” says Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Chef Bernhard Götz.
A family-focus mission and commitment to excellence has established Little America as one of Utah’s premier hotels, and not just for overnight guests. Home to a reputation for hosting seamless events that leave guests and clients in awe, it is considered one of the state’s top meeting and convention venues. “We are invested in our client’s event as much as they are,” says Götz. “When we work with you, we don’t think of you as a client—we consider you part of our family.
Jennie Bryson, director of catering and conventions, enjoys working with a myriad of clients to plan the perfect function. She says the hotel is a unique event space for three primary reasons. First, the hotel provides nearly every item an event needs—from flowers to food to linens and an in-house audiovisual team. Second, Little America offers unmatched quality. Each space is meticulously designed. Every menu is thoughtfully planned. When a guest makes a request, the Catering and Convention team does its best to accommodate. Third, clients can leave the stress of planning to a seasoned team of catering experts. The hotel prides itself on creating a worry-free experience for all clients.
“At Little America, we offer everything from start to finish. We offer fantastic value. Even if the price is a little bit more, you do not have to worry about anything—we have you covered,” Bryson explains. “We want our clients to have a seamless, flawless event that makes them look good,” she adds. “We want them to leave feeling ecstatic.”
Chef Götz adds that quality and personalized service are always top priorities. He gives his direct phone number to clients so that they can talk directly with him about their menus. “We often work around food allergies or special requests—and I love the challenge,” explains Götz.
Hotel staff also works with clients to add special touches to each event. From ice sculptures to specialty cocktails to a one-of-a-kind menu, every detail is methodically planned. The hotel can even create themed parties and receptions. “We had a fire-and-ice event, where we had a variety of hot foods and cold foods. We’ve held specialty balls—a favorite ball had a Jane Austen theme, and the guests loved it. Our chef comes up with the most creative menus to match the themes. It creates a memorable experience for everyone,” says Ben Christiansen, catering manager.
In the end, Little America’s primary goal is to create an event that leaves a lasting impression. “Our job—and what we love doing—is to help clients stand out and have that ‘wow factor.’ When they are happy, we are happy,” Bryson says.