Welcome to 681 Cortez St. in Salt Lake City, Utah!
We hope you'll find here everything you need to know during your stay. If not, please contact us through the Airbnb, VRBO, or Furnished Finder app and let us know how this page could be made more helpful.
Safety
- Vivint Security: the whole house is protected by a Vivint security system which includes motion sensors, break glass sensors, door and window sensors, co2 and smoke detectors as well as temperature sensors. There is a control panel on the dining room wall that will sound an alarm if there is a problem; it will also contact us. You can also contact us over the Airbnb or VRBO apps in the event of an alarm that needs to be disabled.
- Thermostat: there are two thermostats for heating and A/C in the house, one upstairs above the black wine cabinet next to the primary bedroom door, and the other downstairs at the bottom of the stairs. Press on the face plate to light the controls. Press the upward lit arrow to turn the temperature up, or on the down arrow at the bottom of the face plate to turn it down.
- Smoking: if you smoke, please do so outside. There are chairs on the front porch, and on both upstairs and downstairs balconies.
- Fire Extinguishers: there are two fire extinguishers, one located under the kitchen sink, and another under the sink in the downstairs bathroom.
- Lights: light switches throughout the home have been labeled so you can easily tell which switches turn on which lights. The street light next to the driveway automatically comes on at dusk and turns off at dawn.
- Breakers: the breaker box is located in the game room behind the Splootin' Speakeasy sign. The sign is heavy and you may want two people to lift it back on to the screws that the mounting wire hangs from. Important: the breaker box labeled 679 is the neighbor's house, only toggle breakers in the panel labeled 681!
- Cleaning Supplies: there are basic cleaning supplies under the sinks.
- Cameras: there are security cameras with sound located in the driveway, at the doorbell, and outside the game room exterior door to prevent intrusion. Video clips can be provided in the unlikely event there were an issue during your stay. The camera that streams the Salt Lake Sunset YouTube channel faces away from the house on the upstairs back balcony and does not record sound.
- Weather: there is a weather station on the roof, and an electronic display for real time information on the wall above the counter in the kitchen, or you can access it from your phone. If you need to check road conditions, visit: https://www.udottraffic.utah.gov
Arriving
- Parking: there is one parking spot on the right of the driveway, and public parking on the street in front of the house. Please do not park in the driveway in front of the porch gate, that spot is reserved for our downstairs neighbor.
- Front Door: the front porch gate is unlocked. Tap in your unique key code on the front door keypad and the door will unlock. Press the lock button on the keypad when you leave to lock the door.
- WiFi: the WiFi SSID is "Polar Bear's Den" and the password is 5415540432
- Pets: if you're arriving with your furry friend, we don't have a fenced yard unfortunately, but your dogs can go potty in the thyme patches on either side of the driveway. If you use the neighbor's lawns instead, please be respectful and pick up after your dogs.
Local Attractions
- Where to Eat:
Nearby
- Shinobi: our local sushi restaraunt. We're regulars there, tell Bree & Ken we sent you :)
- Uncle Hot Pot: all you can eat hot pot meats and seafood in broth.
- Vegan Daddy: our local plant butcher, vegan comfort food.
- Garage on Beck: great dog patio with music on the weekends. Biker bar vibe and oasis surrounded by the refinery.
- HandleBar: the best dog patio in SLC with music on the weekends. Bicycle theme with vegan options.
- Sawadee: Thai food.
- Sunny Honey: Boba, pickup or delivery.
Further Favorites
- La-Cai Noodle House: Really good Asian fusion.
- Red Iguana: SLC's best mexican food in two locations. Come early or wait in line...
- Hong Kong Tea House: Dim Sum at 565 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.
- Valter's Osteria: Italian formal dining.
- Log Haven: fine dining in a log cabin in Millcreek Canyon. An experience worth the drive.
- Shopping:
- Things to do:
- Walking/hiking: Memory Grove Park and City Creek Canyon is walking distance from our house and right next to the state capitol building. Ensign Peak, a short but steep hike up but the views are well worth it. It's that mountain with the obelisk on top that you can see looking north from our balcony. Bonneville Shoreline Access Trailhead, miles and miles of dog and mountain bike friendly trails.
- Mountain Biking: there are many trails a short pedal from the house.
- Dog Park: Memory Grove Off Leash Dog Park is walking distance down the hill from our house and even has City Creek running through so your pup can splash and cool off on hot days.
- Tennis: there are two public tennis courts within walking distance of the house at Ensign Downs Park. Tennis rackets are on the porch.
- And much more: the Visit Salt Lake web site is a great resource for skiing and other things to do around town.
Porch (upstairs)
- Barbeque: there is a gas barbeque under cover inside the entry gate, with barbeque tools nearby. You'll need to first turn the valve on the propane tank on, and press the electric ignition button to light it. Should you need to replace the propane tank, the closest propane tank exchanges are located at the Ace Hardware. or the Chevron Station.
- Smoker: there is a Traeger smoker under cover beside the table, and pellets in a container nearby. You'll need to first ensure that the square box on the side is full of pellets, then turn on the power switch on the back of where you put the pellets, that will light the display LCD. Adjust the temperature up to 350 degrees and press the ignight button to start it. Once it is up to temperature, press the warm button to set it to 170 degrees smoking temperature. A symbol will appear on the LCD to show that it is set to warm.
- Tennis Rackets: there are three tennis rackets on the porch if you'd like to walk to our nearby courts for a game.
Dining Room (upstairs)
- Table: there is a built in leaf that will expand the table to fit 8 people. There are four latches under the table. Unlatch those to pull the table apart and extend the leaf. There are two additional chairs in the bar downstairs.
- Trash & Recycling: there are separate labeled bins for trash vs. recycling in the dining room by the interior garage door. Important: glass cannot be put in the recycle bin in Salt Lake City, although there is a drop off bin at Liberty Park. If you are staying longer term, curbside trash pickup day is Tuesday, so the cans need to go out Monday night. The blue can is for recycling, and the green is for garbage.
- Vivint Security: the whole house is protected by a Vivint security system which includes motion sensors, break glass sensors, door and window sensors, co2 and smoke detectors as well as temperature sensors. There is a control panel on the dining room wall that will sound an alarm if there is a problem; it will also contact us. You can also contact us over the Airbnb or VRBO apps in the event of an alarm that needs to be disabled.
Kitchen (upstairs)
- Extra Appliances: there are extra kitchen appliances in the Lazy Susan and in the cabinets under the bar countertop.
- Seasonings: there are seasonings in the drawer to the left of the stove, as well as in the cabinet to the right of the refrigerator.
- Wine Glasses: wine glasses are located in the black wine cabinet above the stairs and just outside the primary bedroom door.
- Counter Outlet: there is an outlet under the counter facing the dining room table.
- Weather Station: there is weather station located on the roof with a digital readout on the wall below the microwave. You can also access this online from your phone.
Living Room (upstairs)
- TV: There is a TV, Apple TV, and soundbar on the entertainment center. The remotes for each should be found in a holder on the window sill next to the couch. You can stream apps like NetFlix, YouTube, etc. by logging into your account on the Apple TV, just don't forget to log them out before you leave!
- Sliding Door: there is a sliding door leading out to the balcony. The balcony light switch is to the left of the door.
- Fireplace: you are welcome to use the fireplace, but be sure to open the damper on the side of the stove pipe before you do! The damper is open when the handle is parallel to the stove pipe, and closed when it is perpendicular. There is wood and kindling next to the fireplace, and extra wood outside behind the fence behind the trash cans. You can also purchase firewood at the nearby Ace Hardware.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices on the table lamps next to the couches.
Primary Bedroom (upstairs)
- Nightstand Lights: there are buttons on the base of the lamps on the nightstands. Tap them up to three times to adjust the brightness.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices on the headboard, as well as on charging stations on both nightstands.
- Luggage Rack: There is a luggage rack for your suitcase in the bathroom closet.
- Balcony: There is a balcony with seating shared with the living room off of this bedroom.
Primary Bathroom (upstairs)
- How to Plug the Bathtub: remove the drain mushroom and put the plug in the drain that is located on top of the shower sliding door.
- Shower Speaker: there is a Bluetooth shower speaker above the shower head. Hold down the power button on the top of it in the middle to turn it on, and press the Bluetooth button to pair it with your phone. The manual is here if you have trouble.
- Mirror: the buttons on the front bottom of the mirror control lighting and defrost features.
- Extra Sheets & Blankets: are on the shelves in the bathroom closet.
- Towels: a set of bath towels, hand towels and washcloths are in the white cabinet between the shower and the closet doors.
Office (downstairs)
- Desk: There is a 49" computer monitor on the desk, a printer on the shelf, and power ports for your devices.
- Murphy Bed: Pull down on the cabinet handles to lower the bed. Important: make sure to swing the bar down at the foot of the bed so it touches the floor to support weight on the bed. Bedding is located in the closed along with extra blankets and pillows.
- Towels: a set of bath towels, hand towels and washcloths are in the closet of this room.
- Nightstand Lights: There are switches on the cords of the sparkley globe lights on the nightstand shelves beside the bed, and drawers that pull out to form night shelves if you need extra room. There is also a button on the headboard for the overhead light.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices in the shelves beside the bed. These shelves pull out to become nightstands.
- Luggage Rack: There is a luggage rack for your suitcase in the closet of this room.
- Bathroom Window: If you are sharing the downstairs with other guests, the blinds covering the window to the shower and sauna can be closed from inside this room.
Guest Bedroom (downstairs)
- Nightstand Lights: the light switches are on the cords.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices on the nightstand made out of antique suitcases.
- Blinds: the blinds are cordless, just push up or pull down on the bottom to raise or lower the blinds to the desired height.
- Luggage Rack: There is a luggage rack for your suitcase in the closet of this room.
- Board Games: are on the cabinet shelves.
- Extra Blankets & Pillows: are in the closet of this room.
- Towels: a set of bath towels, hand towels and washcloths are in the closet of this room.
Bathroom & Sauna (downstairs)
- Window Blinds: if you are sharing the office with other guests, the blinds for the bathroom window can be controlled from the office side of the window.
- Sauna: the controls for the sauna are on the wall of the hallway outside the bathroom door. Turn the power dial on, and set the timer to turn on the sauna. Allow about ten minutes for it to heat up. Sit on the cedar bench higher to the ceiling for the best heat.
Game Room (downstairs)
- Lighting: there are bright lights and dim light switches on the wall next to the guest bedroom door.
- Exterior Doors: there is an exterior door in this room. It uses your same door code as the front door.
- Owner Closet: there is a private locked door to the mechanical room with the water heaters and a furnace in this room. In the event of a problem, contact us using the Airbnb or VRBO app.
- Bar: there is a chest fridge with beverages that you are free to use, as well as glassware on the shelves above, and mixing ingredients, shakers, etc. on the bar. Unfortunately, due to Utah State laws, we are unable to provide alcohol to guests, but see our Local Attractions section above for directions to the closest liquor store.
- Pool & Ping Pong Table: because the game room is slightly too narrow for the table, there are short pool cues on both walls that are recommended for some shots where the full size cues touch the wall. Return these upside down so that gravity helps keep them in the holders. To setup the ping pong table, put the pool balls in the pockets, and place the leather cover back on the table to protect it. Two people are needed to lift both halves of the ping pong table top on top of the pool table. There is a styrofoam block on the ping pong table carrier against the wall. Place this in the middle of the table where both halves meet to support it so it doesn't sag in the middle. The net can be clipped on both sides of the tabletop, and is located along with the paddles and balls in the carrier for the tabletop halves against the wall.
- Arcade Cabinet: play hundreds of retro video game on the Legends Ultimate arcade cabinet. The power switch is a red button on the left of the surface where the controls are located. There are even more games available if you navigate to the "BYOG" menu. Allow a few seconds for them to load from the USB stick though.
- Guitar Amplifier: there is a Positive Grid Spark amplifier for the left and right handed electric guitars.