Utah first lady Abby Cox speaks during the Show Up For Teachers – Honors in Education Awards Gala held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. (Photo: Isaac Hale, Deseret News ...

The metropolis of Utah's Silicon Slopes has a surprisingly thin supply of luxury accommodations. There were none before the Grand America Hotel was built in 2001 to serve the 2002 Olympics.

The Grand America, glistening with grandeur, consumes nearly the entire block from 500 South to 600 South between State and Main Streets. Yet in some ways it isn't the main attraction on that block.