Residence Inn Gainesville I-75, Gainesville

This Residence Inn was not originally designed as an RI and it does show. It consists of many different buildings, so if you want to get to the main lobby, you must walk outdoors. Which would be fine if it weren't for the regular Florida thunderstorms. The rooms are old and tired, ditto for the furniture. I have never stayed at another RI, but my co-worker said it was the oldest looking one he had ever stayed at. They keep it reasonably clean but it seems like a lot of money to pay for that old of room. They provide a breakfast, however it does not start until 7 a.m., 8 on weekends. This is very late, and most mornings there is a rush of people waiting to eat right away and then be off to work. They will not start putting stuff out until right around 7, and often times even 15 minutes later not everything was out. And at least one worker was snippy when asked, at about 6:55, if a certain item was going to be put out. He let it known that breakfast starts at 7 and not one minute earlier. The evening snack is nice. It might not be enough to make a meal but sometimes it is. It generally always consisted of drinks, cheese tray, and pickle tray. Then they rotated a main item, such as chili, soup, hotdogs, meatballs, or nachos. The staff was generally friendly and helpful, with the exception of the breakfast question. It has a decent location, close to UF. And there are other places to eat close by, including a IHOP within walking distance. If you need a longterm place with a kitchen and living room area, this place will do. According to one of the staff, there is a major renovation getting ready to take place. Once that happens, hopefully the rooms will be nicer. Otherwise, if you are only there for a few nights, I would recommend staying someplace else.