As 2025 comes to a close, we're celebrating a year of culinary excellence, wellness innovation, and cherished traditions. From welcoming Chef Christian Ojeda to earning eight Best of State Awards and launching our first spa wellness retreat, The Grand America Hotel had an exceptional year, and we're grateful you were part of it.
December 15, 2025
As we reflect on 2025, were filled with gratitude for the unforgettable moments, meaningful partnerships, and incredible recognition that made this year truly special. From introducing visionary culinary leadership to hosting transformative wellness experiences, here are the highlights that defined our year at The Grand America Hotel.
1. Derby Day Raised Funds for Utah Food Bank
Our third annual Derby Day, held on May 3rd, brought together style, sport, and community spirit for an unforgettable afternoon. Hosted by Salt Lake Citys own Deena Marie Manzanaresbeloved actor, model, and TV personalitythe event featured spring cocktails, live music, exciting prizes, and live coverage of the Kentucky Derby. This year, all proceeds benefited Utah Food Bank, helping fight hunger in our community. Were proud to have supported such an important cause while creating a memorable experience for our guests. The event was featured in Salt Lake Magazines Be Social section, highlighting the best of Salt Lake Citys social scene.
2. Utah Bride & Groom Featured a Royalty-Worthy Wedding
Utah Bride & Groom showcased a stunning real wedding at The Grand America in their May 25th article Royalty-Worth Wedding at The Grand America Hotel. The feature told the beautiful love story of Cima and Paymon, whose elegant September celebration began with a traditional Persian ceremony in our gardens before moving to our resplendent ballrooms. With a palette of white, gold, and rosy pink, guests enjoyed steak, salmon, red velvet cake, and dancing long into the night. The couples royalty-ready celebration perfectly captured the elegance and sophistication that define a Grand America wedding.
3. We Introduced Our First-Ever Corporate Wellness Pass
This summer, we launched an innovative new offering designed to support employee well-being. Available exclusively from June 1 through August 31, the Corporate Wellness Pass provided teams with three months of access to The Grand Spa and all its fitness and wellness amenities. Benefits included our luxury fitness center, a complimentary monthly guest pass, intimate fitness classes including yoga, sound baths, and floor pilates, access to the spas wellness lounge, luxury locker rooms with a Himalayan salt sauna and eucalyptus steam room, plus discounts on dining, retail, and complimentary upgrades to Executive Suites. Members could even convert their Corporate Pass to an annual spa membership with a massive discount on their initiation fee. This new program reinforced our commitment to wellness, extending it beyond our guests to the broader business community.
4. Princess Tea Returned by Popular Demand
Following the tremendous success of our winter Princess Tea , we brought back this enchanting experience for summerand our guests loved it. Little royals dressed in their finest princess attire enjoyed delicious treats in a magical setting, and on select dates, beloved Disney princesses joined us to greet guests and create truly unforgettable afternoons. These special events continue to create cherished memories for families throughout the year.
5. Chef Christian Ojeda Joined Our Culinary Team
In August, we welcomed Executive Chef Christian Ojeda, who joined us from Bernardus Lodge & Spa in California, where he earned back-to-back Forbes Four-Star ratings. Born in Utah with Chilean heritage, Chef Christian has spent over 20 years in kitchens across Europe and Las Vegas, bringing a progressive approach to American cuisine that thoughtfully integrates his roots into every dish. His culinary vision extends throughout our dining experiences, from Laurels progressive American cuisine to our Sunday Brunch and afternoon tea service. His commitment to letting premium ingredients speak for themselves ensures that every meal becomes a memorable part of your Grand America experience.
6. Best of State Recognized Our Commitment to Excellence
We were honored to receive multiple awards at Utahs annual Best of State black-tie gala, the states premier recognition program that celebrates individuals and businesses contributing to Utahs communities. Judged on excellence, innovation, and contribution to quality of life, these awards affirm our commitment to elevating experiences in Salt Lake City:
7. National Meetings & Events Publications Showcased Our Event Excellence
Our meetings and events capabilities received prominent national recognition this year. Meetings Today featured The Grand America in Elevating Meetings in Salt Lake City , highlighting our seamless campus-style experience with over 100,000 square feet of flexible space across 38 indoor and outdoor venues, our iconic 35,000-square-foot Center Courtyard, and our expert in-house AV team. NorthStar Meetings Group celebrated our offerings in Grand America Hotels & Resorts: An Extraordinary Hospitality Partner for Meeting Planners, showcasing our crown jewel, the Grand Ballroom, with its glittering Moscatelli chandeliers, our dedicated Convention Services Managers, and our in-house audiovisual department. As a hotel where meetings and events drive our success and keep our business strong, this recognition reinforces our position as Salt Lake Citys premier destination for unforgettable gatherings. This year alone, we hosted 466 events at The Grand America and 312 events at Little America, serving an estimated 98,257 guests combinedwith December accounting for approximately 20% of those numbers at both properties, showcasing the incredible demand during our busiest season.
8. Business Insider Compared Our Luxury to Park City Hotels
Business Insider featured The Grand America in their article I stayed in $300-a-night hotels in Salt Lake City and Park City. One was more luxurious. The other was more convenient. The piece highlighted our European elegance, world-class amenities, and exceptional value compared to Park Citys ski resort hotels. The writer noted our history as the first five-star hotel built in Salt Lake City for the 2002 Olympic Committee and our continued ranking among the worlds best hotels by Cond Nast Traveler. After experiencing an 880-square-foot executive suite with Italian marble floors, glass chandeliers, and antique decor, the writer concluded that The Grand America was just as luxurious as hotels that have cost me $1,000 a night or more in other cities.
9. Laurels Thanksgiving To-Go Completely Sold Out
The holidays are our busiest time of year, and we go all out for our guestsand this Thanksgiving proved just how much our community values the experiences we create. Laurel s Thanksgiving To-Go dinner completely sold out with over 1,500 orders, an exciting milestone that demonstrates the demand for our gourmet holiday offerings. This convenient curbside pickup option gave guests a stress-free way to enjoy a complete Thanksgiving feast featuring maple-glazed roasted turkey breast, slow-cooked brown sugar ham, classic mashed potatoes, traditional stuffing, crispy Brussels sprouts with Granny Smith apples, Grand America bread pudding, and pumpkin pieall packaged and refrigerated for easy re-heating the next day. While our beloved Thanksgiving buffet has long been a sellout tradition, seeing our to-go option reach this level of success shows how we continue to meet our guests evolving needs during the busy holiday season.
10. We Launched Our First-Ever Spa Wellness Retreat
From November 13 to 16, we hosted an intimate group for Suite Serenity, our inaugural spa wellness retreat. This transformative escape featured personalized spa treatments, daily movement and mindfulness classes, chef-led culinary workshops, and gourmet mealsall experienced from the comfort of our spacious Executive Suites. Designed for complete mind-body renewal, this first-ever retreat set a new standard for wellness experiences at The Grand America.
11. Tux the Penguins Window Stroll Captures the Songs of the Season
One of our most beloved holiday traditions returned this season, accompanied by a delightful new theme. Open now through January 3, our annual Window Stroll features Tux the Penguin and the Songs of the Season across 14 intricately designed displays. The enchanting world of Tux comes to life through the collaboration of two talented artists: childrens illustrator Missy Healer Turner, who designs each window concept in detail, and artist Jonnie Hartman, who transforms these illustrations into whimsical large-scale installations. My goal is to share a bit of the whimsy that inspires me with the public, possibly putting a smile on their face, Jonnie explains. This cherished tradition continues to delight locals and destination guests alike, inviting everyone to discover the magic hidden within each scene.
12. Chef Xaviers Gingerbread House Amazes with Artistry and Scale
Halfway through your Window Stroll journey, discover another beloved Grand America holiday traditionour spectacular gingerbread house display, crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Xavier Baudinet and his team. This years treehouse-themed creation is comprised of 1,200 eggs, 1,100 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of sugar, and requires approximately 700 hours of labor and love. Chef Xavier, who has been creating magic in The Grands pastry kitchen for years, approaches this annual project with the precision of an artist and the heart of a storyteller. Each gingerbread masterpiece features a unique theme, transforming sugar and spice into a festive architectural wonder that has become a must-see holiday destination.
As we look back on 2025, were grateful for the opportunity to create memorable moments for our guests, support our community, and continue setting the standard for luxury hospitality in Salt Lake City. Thank you for being part of our story this year. We look forward to welcoming you in the year ahead.
While other properties may boast impressive facilities or prime locations, The Grand America's dedicated convention and catering teams represent the true differentiating factor that consistently draws planners back to downtown Salt Lake City's premier luxury destination.
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