Just south of Salt Lake City’s religious sites and convention areas downtown is a large complex of hotels and motels (mostly representatives of large chains) with rooms in almost every traveler's price range. These lodgings aren't entirely convenient for travelers on foot, but if you have a car or intend to ride buses (unfortunately, the free bus zone doesn't extend this far south, but the zone is just a short walk from these hotels), these are some of the newest and nicest places to stay in the city.

$50-100

Motel 6 Downtown (176 West 600 South, 801/531-1252 or 800/466-8356, $56 and up) is a standard motel, but it does have a pool. Pets are allowed at the Rodeway Inn Salt Lake City (616 South 200 West, 801/534-0808 or 877/424-6423, www.rodewayinn.com, $59 and up). The Metropolitan Inn (524 S. West Temple St., 801/531-7100 or 800/578-7878, www.metropolitaninn.com, $76 and up) offers nicely maintained rooms, all with coffeemakers and access to a heated pool and hot tub. Pets are accepted.

The Royal Garden Inn (154 West 600 South, 801/521-2930 or 800/521-9997, www.royalgardeninnsaltlake.com, $65 and up) offers a pool, fitness room, restaurant, guest laundry, and free airport shuttle.

Red Lion Hotel Salt Lake Downtown (161 West 600 South, 801/521-7373 or 800/325-4000, http://redlion.rdln.com, $89 and up) has a pool, spa, exercise facilities, room service, guest laundry, and free airport transportation.

If you're looking for comfortable rooms without breaking the bank, the Little America Hotel and Towers (500 S. Main St., 801/363-6781 or 800/304-8970, http://saltlake.littleamerica.com, $99 and up) is a great place to stay. This large lodging complex (with nearly 850 rooms) offers three room types. Courtside rooms and garden suites are scattered around the hotel's nicely manicured grounds, with most rooms overlooking a pool or fountain. Tower suites are executive-level suites in a 17-story block offering some of SLC's best views. All guests share the hotel's elegant public areas, two pools, health club, and workout facility. The restaurant here is better than average, and there is free airport transport.

$100-150

One of the nicer-for-the-money hotels in this part of Salt Lake City is the Crystal Inn (230 West 500 South, 801/328-4466 or 800/366-4466, www.crystalinns.com, $117 and up). Rooms here are very large and nicely furnished; all come with refrigerators and microwaves. There's a free hot breakfast buffet for all guests. For recreation, there's an indoor pool, exercise room, sauna, and hot tub.

Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel (150 West 500 South, 801/532-3344 or 800/421-7602, www.starwoodhotels.com, $109 and up) is one of the city's best addresses for high-quality comfort and service. The lobby areas are very pleasant, and facilities include a great pool, an exercise room, and a spa. The rooftop restaurant and lounge are also notable.

Hampton Inn (425 South 300 West, 801/741-1110 or 800/HAMPTON, http://hamptoninn.hilton.com, $139 and up) offers complimentary breakfast, an indoor pool, a hot tub, and high-speed wireless Internet access.

$150-200

One of the best situated of all the south downtown motels is Courtyard by Marriott Downtown (130 West 400 South, 801/531-6000, www.marriott.com, $159 and up). It's very centrally located to all the restaurants and happenings in the city's fast-changing warehouse/loft district. There's a pool, hot tub, fitness facility, and airport shuttle.

If you're in Salt Lake for an extended time, or are traveling with a family, consider the Embassy Suites Hotel (110 West 600 South, 801/359-7800 or 800/362-2779, http://embassysuites1.hilton.com, $159 and up). All suites have efficiency kitchens (with coffeemakers) and separate living and sleeping areas; there are two two-bedroom units. Facilities include a pool, sauna, exercise area, restaurant, and lounge.

Over $200

The behemoth Grand America Hotel and Suites (555 S. Main St., 801/258-6000 or 800/621-4505, www.grandamerica.com, $237 and up) is a full Salt Lake City square block (remember, that's 10 acres), and its 24 stories contain 775 rooms, more than half of them suites. Rooms have luxury-level amenities; expect all the perks and niceties that modern hotels can offer, delivered in an over-the-top package that borders on the indulgences of Las Vegas hotels.