The International Peace Gardens sit inside Jordan Park on the west side of Salt Lake City, along the Jordan River Parkway - a quiet, green corridor that draws visitors for its multicultural garden displays representing over 26 nations. Staying near this area puts you within reach of the airport corridor, West Valley City, and the broader Salt Lake valley, with downtown Salt Lake City accessible in under 20 minutes by car. The four hotels listed here cover a practical spread of locations across the metro area, each offering distinct positioning depending on your priorities - proximity to the airport, access to downtown landmarks, or value-driven space.
What It's Like Staying Near International Peace Gardens
The area surrounding International Peace Gardens is primarily residential and park-adjacent, sitting within Salt Lake City's west side near the Jordan River Parkway. The neighborhood is calm and low-traffic compared to downtown, making it a practical base if you're visiting the gardens, the nearby Jordan Park, or passing through the airport corridor. There are no major hotel clusters directly at the gardens, so most visitors stay at properties in the wider west Salt Lake or West Valley City corridor, typically within a 10 to 15-minute drive. Public transit connections to the gardens are limited, meaning a rental car or rideshare is the most reliable option for reaching the site and moving around the metro.
Pros:
- Close proximity to Salt Lake City International Airport, reducing transfer times significantly
- Access to the Jordan River Parkway trail system for walking and cycling directly from the park area
- Lower nightly hotel rates compared to downtown Salt Lake City hotels
Cons:
- No walkable dining or shopping strip immediately adjacent to the gardens
- A car or rideshare is essential - the area is not pedestrian-friendly beyond the park itself
- Downtown Salt Lake City landmarks like Temple Square require around a 20-minute drive west
Why Choose a Hotel Near International Peace Gardens
Hotels in the west Salt Lake City and West Valley City corridor - the zone closest to International Peace Gardens - typically run at lower nightly rates than comparable properties downtown, offering more room space and added amenities like free parking and complimentary breakfast that downtown hotels often charge extra for. This positioning makes strong practical sense for travelers who prioritize airport access, are visiting family or business contacts on the west side, or are using the gardens as a leisure stop within a broader Utah road trip. Free parking is nearly universal in this corridor, a meaningful saving in a city where downtown hotel parking can add a significant daily cost. The trade-off is that restaurant density near the gardens is thin - most dining requires a short drive into West Valley City or toward the I-215 corridor.
Main advantages of this hotel category here:
- Free parking is standard, unlike downtown Salt Lake City hotels where parking is frequently charged separately
- Complimentary breakfast is offered at several properties in this zone, reducing daily travel costs
- Airport shuttle services are available at select hotels, making early-morning flights significantly less stressful
Main trade-offs in this specific zone:
- Limited walkable amenities - the surrounding streets are suburban and car-dependent
- Nighttime atmosphere is quiet but not vibrant - not suitable if evening walkability matters to you
- Some properties are closer to the airport flight path, meaning occasional noise is a realistic consideration
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
For the closest positioning to International Peace Gardens, hotels along the West Temple Street corridor and those in West Valley City near the I-215 interchange offer the best balance of proximity and road access - the gardens sit just off 900 South and Navajo Street, inside Jordan Park. A rideshare from West Valley City hotels to the gardens runs around 10 minutes, making this zone the most cost-efficient base for garden visitors. Travelers arriving by air should note that Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 12 km from the gardens - hotels with free airport shuttles in this corridor eliminate the need for a rental car if the gardens are your primary stop. Beyond the Peace Gardens, Jordan Park also connects to the Jordan River Parkway trail, and nearby attractions include the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (about 15 minutes south), the Clark Planetarium in downtown Salt Lake City, and the Natural History Museum of Utah near the University of Utah campus. Book at least 6 weeks in advance during summer months - the gardens peak in June through August when the outdoor cultural displays are fully in bloom and park attendance climbs sharply.
Best Value Stays
These properties deliver the strongest combination of included amenities, airport access, and proximity to the International Peace Gardens corridor at competitive nightly rates.
-
1. Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites
Show on map
Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 99
-
2. Country Inn & Suites By Radisson, West Valley City, Ut
Show on map
Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 138
Best Premium Stays
These properties offer elevated positioning, stronger amenity sets, and access to broader Salt Lake City attractions alongside visits to International Peace Gardens.
-
3. Hampton Inn Salt Lake City/Murray
Show on map
Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 120
-
4. Salt Lake City Marriott University Park
Show on map
Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 176
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for International Peace Gardens
The International Peace Gardens are an outdoor attraction, which makes timing your Salt Lake City visit essential. June through August is peak season - the gardens are in full display, Jordan Park draws large weekend crowds, and hotel rates in the surrounding corridor climb noticeably compared to spring or fall. Visiting in late May or early September gives access to largely the same garden experience with meaningfully fewer visitors and lower nightly hotel rates. Winter visits to the gardens offer little - most plantings are dormant - so unless your itinerary combines the gardens with skiing at nearby resorts like Park City (around 45 minutes east), December through February offers limited value for this specific attraction. A stay of 2 nights is sufficient to visit the gardens, explore the Jordan River Parkway trail, and reach downtown Salt Lake City or the Natural History Museum without feeling rushed. Book airport-corridor hotels at least 6 weeks ahead in summer - properties with free shuttles and pools fill early as families use them as airport-adjacent bases for broader Utah itineraries, and last-minute availability in July is genuinely constrained.
