I spent 2 nights in one of Salt Lake City's only 5-star hotels. It epitomized luxury and was shockingly affordable.

The independently owned hospitality company also has locations in Idaho, California, Arizona, and Wyoming.

There are four tiers of rooms. The lowest is a 700-square-foot premier room with a sectioned-off sitting area.

The second tier is an 880-square-foot executive suite with a living room.

A 1,000-square-foot kitchenette suite is the third tier, and the top tier is a 2,4000-square-foot presidential suite with two bathrooms, a whirlpool tub made of Italian marble, and a full kitchen, breakfast bar, and dining room.

The Grand America Hotel aims to be an American-sized, European-esque hotel. And I think it delivered.

The spaces were decorated with Italian marble floors and glass chandeliers, as well as French cherry-wood furniture and classic antiques.

The hotel reminded me of the lavish cars on the iconic luxury sleeper train I rode from Paris to Venice in 2023 — the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

I booked an executive suite with a base rate of $340 a night, though BI received a media rate for the one-night stay.

Knowing the room's rate, I was astonished when I stepped inside. The accommodation was on par with luxury hotels I've booked that cost $1,000 a night.

I entered a spacious hallway leading to a large living room with a workspace. To the right was the bedroom, which had a king-sized bed. Both rooms had floor-to-ceiling windows framing the downtown Salt Lake City skyline and the hotel gardens below.

The bathroom was coated in Italian marble, with a shower and separate soaking tub. I found Grand America-branded luxury toiletries on the counter and in the shower. The lotion smelled so good that I asked for a couple more to bring home.

My tour started in the lobby, where I learned the wood paneling was sourced from West Africa.

A representative also told me that the marble flooring was bookended and matched by hand to create a geometric pattern.

In true European spirit, the Lobby Lounge has a daily afternoon tea service with snacks and live music from harpists.

For cocktail hour, guests should check out the Gibson Lounge on the same floor.

The Shops at The Grand is a collection of high-end boutiques inside the hotel selling clothing, accessories, snacks, toiletries, and other essentials.

The most surprising store was JouJou, a vibrant and whimsical toy store that felt like a child's wonderland.

The 20,000-square-foot Grand Spa welcomed guests with a grand lobby area. It had a water feature and retail items from popular athleticwear brands like Lululemon.

The representative said that visiting NBA players often exercise in the fitness center, which is open 24 hours a day.

Upon entering, the indoor pool area was calming. Natural light poured into the white, cave-like room through carved archways, and cozy nooks framed the main pool.

Bonne Vie is a coffee shop that serves local brews, French baked goods, and in-house ice cream.

Laurel Brasserie & Bar is a European-style bistro.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a large menu that includes pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

The hotel can host up to 3,000 attendees at a time with three ballrooms, 20 meeting rooms, and a 35,000-square-foot courtyard for outdoor events.

The 24,000-square-foot suite felt like a luxury apartment. The living room was bright and spacious, with a striking marble fireplace and a wealth of seating.

Despite its large size, the two-bathroom suite only sleeps two. But guests can host their friends and family with a full kitchen and a dining room that seats eight people.

And it's an ideal pick for travelers like me who want to experience luxury on a budget.