Originally published on Conde Nast Traveller.

Amenities

Bar

Gym

Wifi

Rooms

225

Reviewed by Jessica Chapel

Why book?

For a design-forward stay in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City that bridges the city's wild, pioneering past with its swanky, cool future. This masterpiece of a hotel breathes new life into the historic 1908 Union Pacific Depot—offering a stay steeped in history, authentic hospitality, and quirky rail-era character.

Set the scene

Arrival at Asher Adams feels more like a grand departure into Salt Lake’s golden age. The facade is a stunning architectural handshake: the restored 1908 Union Pacific Depot—all French Second Empire brick and limestone—stands in contrast to a sleek, curvilinear modern tower. From the moment I stepped into the grandiose lobby (dubbed the Grand Hall), an entrance that commands attention, it was clear this is a place rooted in both heritage and design. Beneath soaring 14-foot domed ceilings and original stained glass, the air was abuzz with a new-frontier kind of energy.

The lobby, with its bar, vintage photo booth, and live event space, acts as the hotel’s social heartbeat with loads of good company. Between hanging art from local photographers and painters, rotating pop-up art classes, and the warm crackle of live music or spinning vinyl records, the space feels like the city’s most welcoming living room.

The backstory

Born from the bones of the 1908 Union Pacific Depot, Asher Adams is a masterclass in adaptive reuse, which debuted back in November 2024. Named after pioneering cartographers John R. Asher and George H. Adams, the property breathes new life into Salt Lake City’s historic transit hub, blending the storied French Second Empire architecture with a sleek, eight-story guest tower. Within this landmark, 225 rooms—including 13 singular train station suites—now serve as a design lover’s sanctuary where the echoes of steam engines meet a contemporary swing.

The restoration, a collaboration project between The Athens Group and HKS Architects, is a nod to the past through shimmering stained-glass windows, original terrazzo floors, and heritage murals of the Wild West (see: cowboys in action, bison, desert frontiers, and more). Yet, the energy since its debut is decidedly current, anchored by the hearth-fired flavors of the main restaurant Rouser, two vibey bars, and a bustling on-site coffee house. With 20,000 square feet of curated event space, Asher Adams stands as a living gallery, to which its backstory is everything.

The rooms

The Asher Adams split-personality architecture translates into the 225 rooms that feel more like residences. For those who want the history, the 13 unique suites are tucked into the original building, the 1908 depot’s bones. These are the showstoppers, featuring exposed brick, restored dormers (historic, roofed structures), high ceilings, and preserved round windows that frame the city like a postcard. The new eight-story tower, where I stayed, serves as the modern counterweight—a more contemporary take on rail travel, with brass accents, rich textures, and a hint of sophisticated urban-cool.

I stayed in a Tower Classic King room, where the layout prioritizes simplicity, comfort, and tasteful pops of color, from bright golds to deep greens. A chic velvet couchette anchors the seating area, perfectly positioned for when the afternoon light hits the floor-to-ceiling glass and turns the entire room a hazy golden. On the desk, the “be present” ethos of the Autograph Collection is on display: a supple leather journal is paired with a typed note encouraging guests to disconnect and actually notice their surroundings. This grounded, thoughtful touch made my day. (And of course, I brought the journal home.)

Food & beverage

If you do one thing here, don’t treat the restaurants and bars as a hotel add-on; they’re very much part of the reason to stay. Most evenings begin (and sometimes end) in the Grand Hall at The Bar. It’s one of the cooler hotel lobby bars I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing: the ceilings soar, live bands play but don't overpower your conversation, and there’s a steady mix of guests and well-dressed locals who clearly didn’t just wander in by accident. Order a martini, take a seat, and you’ll see what I mean.

Upstairs, No. 119 feels intentionally removed from the lobby’s sweep—though you can look over the edge down to the lobby, which is stellar for people-watching. It’s darker, moodier, and whiskey-forward. By 10 p.m., the lounge fills in with a downtown crowd that knows it’s one of the more reliable late-night options in the city. I’d heard about it repeatedly before going; it’s one of the few spots on my Instagram feed that actually matches its reputation.

At Rouser, the main restaurant at the hotel, the kitchen centers around a Josper charcoal grill, and you can smell the smoke before you see the flames. The cooking leans into that fire—steaks, roasted vegetables, and even the many tasty cocktails to choose from. If you can, book the Josper Counter experience. Watching the team work the grill adds to the beauty of what ends up on your plate. Even breakfast feels deliberate here—whether eaten downstairs at Rouser or ordered to your room, it’s handled with the same attention as dinner. As someone who adores room service, this is all very refreshing.

Then there’s Counterpart, the café concept modeled loosely after a vintage club car. The order-to-go coffee is properly made, and the pastry options are substantial. It’s an easy final stop whether you're headed out to explore for the day or catching the TRAX to the airport.

The neighborhood/area

Asher Adams sits directly across from the Delta Center, placing it at the functional center of Salt Lake City’s sports and entertainment district. The proximity is a major draw for visiting professional athletes—including NBA and NHL teams—who stay here for the literal one-minute commute to the arena. During my stay, the location was particularly useful for attending the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast tour, which brings a fun, high-energy crowd to the area every February.

The hotel’s connection to the rails is more than just thematic: The tram, or TRAX light rail, stops directly in front of the building, providing a seamless, 20-minute connection to SLC International Airport (for just $2.50!). This same line offers easy access to City Creek Center for local boutiques and shopping as well as the cultural hub of Temple Square, making a rental car largely unnecessary for exploring the downtown core. (Though my rental car was nice to have, and the hotel makes it easy with a quickly-accessible overnight valet.) For those heading into the mountains to ski or explore, the property serves as a sophisticated basecamp: You are a 40-minute drive from world-class skiing at Park City and Deer Valley, and even closer to the legendary terrain of Little Cottonwood Canyon (Snowbird and Alta) at a little over 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

The service

The service at Asher Adams avoids the stiff feel of some other high-end hotels, opting instead for a genuinely personal hospitality style. It is a property where the staff—from the lobby bar crew to the valet team (notably, some in cowboy hats)—operates with an absolutely-yes mentality that makes the stay effortless. For me? I found the real value lies in the little things, the unprompted gestures. Returning late from the PBR event to find downtown kitchens largely dark, the hotel lobby bar server overheard that my partner and I were starving. Even though the kitchen was closed, he pulled together a spread of shrimp cocktail, cheese, and crackers after closing time. Another time with a different employee, after I mentioned an early airport departure, the valet stand ensured the car was staged and idling at the curb the moment we stepped out to go.

Eco effort

Guest rooms are designed without single-use plastics, reflecting a commitment to more sustainable hospitality practices.

Accessibility

At Asher Adams, accessible accommodations are available within the Tower Classic, Tower Premium, and Historic Junior Suite categories. Depending on room type, features may include mobility-accessible tubs, roll-in showers, transfer showers, and hearing-accessible enhancements such as visual alarms and notification devices for the door and telephone.

Anything left to mention?

For those on a tighter schedule, the on-site fitness center is accessible 24/7, offering a well-equipped space to reset between exploring the city or heading on mountain excursions.