SpringHill Suites by Marriott Gainesville — Attraction in Gainesville

This is a review of the Marriott Springhill Suites for a stay that was supposed to be for 5 or 6 nights in May 2025. We were there for 3 days and not once did they mention that we were Marriott Bonvoy members. We checked out and moved hotels after 3 nights due to the items listed below. There are much better options in Gainesville. We were in Gainesville for a family event at UF, after the event I could not sleep on the bed one more night. The items listed below are not in any specific order, I wish someone had spent the time to share the items we experienced and it would have saved us some trouble. All I really expected from this stay was a bed with clean sheets, coffee and orange juice in the morning – we got none these with our stay at Springhill Suites in Gainesville. This hotel feels like the owner is trying to squeeze every single penny possible from the operation. Upon arrival, the comforter did not appear clean. I called down to get a blanket. They did NOT have any king blankets, they found a Queen blanket that looked like it had tire marks on one side – but it smelled clean, so I decided to take the blanket. I left the comforter downstairs with the front desk clerk. We ended up being charged for the nasty comforter, they actually thought we had stolen it AND the “plastic bag” – you cannot make this stuff up. We had to call the hotel several times to explain what happened. They changed our bill after we checked out. We had the names of the front desk employee that was on duty when we changed out the comforter. They had to verify with the employee, they did not believe us! The bed was the most uncomfortable bed we have ever slept on – this is a VERY OLD mattress that was in the room. NO Orange Juice in the morning, it was a very odd combination of cheap juice – sadly not what we expected. The coffee was also unpleasant and not what we expected from a hospitality establishment - maybe a 7-11 in the middle of the night, but not a Marriott Hotel. Several of the outlets in our room were not working. The outlet by the sink in the bathroom, 2 of the other outlets in the room were also nonfunctional. Maintenance came up and got 1 of the 3 outlets working, but the outlet in the bathroom could not be fixed. I could not dry my hair in front of the mirror. The TV would not work, they came up for this as well. They did get the TV to turn on the next day with a new remote. Sink in bathroom was clogged and would not drain. Toilet was stained and was very unpleasant. Mirror in room was streaked, or damaged in some way that prevented one from viewing clearly. We could hear our neighbors talking in their room next door. Homeless encampment below our window at the back of the hotel, we were on the 4th floor. You could hear the homeless people at night. The floor at breakfast and the general condition of the hotel was poor. The attendant at breakfast was wonderful, but they need to get her some help during busy periods. The floor was sticky and the general aera was unkept. No ice machines, expect on one floor. If you ask for Ice downstairs, they hand you zip lock baggie full of ice that was packaged by some unknown person. I don’t think this is a practice that would hold up to any food safety guidelines! Finally, the person we spoke to about the comforter charge was named Lily and she was not customer friendly...

Subject: A Heartwarming Stay at SpringHill Suites Gainesville

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the SpringHill Suites in Gainesville, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to two exceptional staff members, Sabrina and Shirley. Their dedication and warmth made our stay truly special, and I feel compelled to share this heartfelt review.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this hotel is not just a place to stay; it’s a place where you become part of a caring family. Shirley, who greeted us each morning at breakfast, went above and beyond to ensure our days began with smiles. Her nurturing and welcoming demeanor reminded me of a mother’s care, and she wouldn’t even let us clear our plates – a small but meaningful gesture that made us feel cherished. Shirley’s commitment to making every guest’s experience extraordinary is truly commendable.

Sabrina, at the front desk, deserves our heartfelt gratitude. She came to our rescue when we realized, en route to our departure, that the back door of our rental car was open, and we had left behind a precious bag. Sabrina’s warm smile as she held up our Florida Gator bag and shared how another guest had kindly returned it was a moment that touched our hearts deeply. Her kindness and quick action reassured us that my special-needs son, Tyler, and his trip would still be okay. Sabrina’s genuine compassion made a lasting impression.

Beyond the exceptional staff, the hotel itself exceeded our expectations. It was immaculately clean, and the friendly atmosphere extended throughout. The food was not only delicious but served with a side of warmth and hospitality. There was not a single thing to complain about during our stay.

The location of SpringHill Suites Gainesville is also noteworthy. It’s not just conveniently close to the college for game day; it’s situated across the street from all the amenities you could possibly need and right next to the interstate for easy access. However, what sets it apart is the sense of family you feel while staying here. It’s not merely a Marriott brand; it’s a home away from home.

To sum it up, if you’re considering a stay in Gainesville, there’s no other place to think about. The best part is that whether you’re coming or going, everyone at SpringHill Suites Gainesville is part of the Gator Nation, and they’ll make you feel like you belong.

I offer my heartfelt thanks to Sabrina, Shirley, and the entire team at this remarkable hotel. May God bless them for creating such a memorable experience for my son and me.

With warm...

The Good: The location was easy to get to not far off the interstate.

The Bad: When I was checking in, there were no less than 40 people in the lobby with kids running around, people eating, and just hanging out. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't even phase me. But a year into this pandemic is not normal circumstances. Some people were wearing masks, but many were not and I was shocked that the hotel would allow such gatherings right now. To add to my surprise, when we got to our room, there were no comforters on the beds which, according to the lady at the front desk, was "due to Covid." How does that make any sense? As we were getting settled in, I realized that we could hear kids running up and down the hallways and people talking as if they were in our room. The walls were so thin, I could hear a man's conversation on his phone, I kid you not. All night and morning we could hear room doors closing with a bang. I slept awful.

The Ugly: My two girls favorite part about staying at a hotel is getting to pick out their breakfast in the morning. We stayed at a RI in Asheville last September (during Covid) and expected a similar experience with a socially distanced line and mask wearing. When we got downstairs, I noticed that the kitchen area was blocked off with a table and there was a lady (with no mask!) serving food behind it. I surveyed the area to see if I could figure out what was being served and saw people with oatmeal, cereal, fruit, coffee, etc. When we got to the front of the line, I bent down to my youngest and told her which cereals I could see and asked her which one she wanted. She was slow to decide, so to give her more time I asked the lady for a decaf coffee which she told me they weren't offering. The lady then informed us that they were giving out pre-bagged foods, which my oldest took. So I turned back to my youngest and she asked for a bagel. The lady rolled her eyes and gave a little stomp. I asked her if that was okay and she said "well that's why I asked you what she wanted. I have people waiting behind you." There was one family waiting behind us. I had no idea that we weren't allowed to pick what we wanted to eat for breakfast since 1. others in the lobby were eating non pre-bagged items and 2. no where did it state that we were to only have pre-bagged food and 3. bagels and waffles etc. were available. She was so rude to me and it was completely uncalled for. It ruined an already...