I was lucky enough to grow up in Salt Lake City, Utah, before it gained notoriety as an Olympic host city and was spotlighted as one of the locations on the wildly popular The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reality show. But when I attended college in Seattle in the mid-2000s, and people learned I was from Utah, many were still bewildered that I could come from such an unfamiliar place. (Even more so when I announced my move back after graduation, longing for the mountains and our nearly always sunny days.)

Today, public opinion about Salt Lake City is changing, with folks focusing less on its predominant religion and more on its towering peaks, incredible restaurants, and nearby national parks. While there are plenty of beautiful hotels downtown, staying in an Airbnb or vacation rental lets you branch out into more local areas, like historic Capitol Hill and mountainside Millcreek. Other downtown neighborhoods, like the Granary District, Central 9th, and Liberty Wells, are also becoming hot spots for visitors and residents alike.

To help you choose where to stay while you’re in town, I’ve waded through a sea of rental listings to showcase my favorite properties downtown and beyond. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a large group, these are the 11 best Airbnbs in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to a local.

We’ve selected these listings based on Superhost and Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews.