Best Western Gateway Grand

The staff were friendly, and breakfast was a plus, but my parents and I won't stay here next year. This was their fourth year coming for Gatornationals, and my dad says it's their last. The beds were hard and squeaky, and my back hurts even though I'm young. The sink drain in my parents' room had a black buildup growing in it, my shower kept backing up, and their toilet wouldn't flush. Their showerhead barely gave three drops of water. On the I75 side, from the third floor down to the first, fans were blowing on the floor while a restoration company cleaned up something. I had to try three ice machines to fill my 32-ounce Stanley three-quarters full. And the bird show was the saddest thing I've ever seen. Imagine being born to fly and being kept in a cage all your life.

TRUTH: I've worked at many hotels, and the Best Western gateway grand could be so much better than it is. The pool is left open 24/7, which doesn't follow pool licensing rules and creates a risk of injury or drowning. Housekeeping is terrible. Guests may find a condom wrapper in the bed, dirty sheets, pet paw prints around the room, or underwear left behind by a previous guest. A proper room reset and sanitation seem unlikely. Telling management doesn't help, since they do nothing. The hotel's standards are unrealistic, and it badly needs modern renovations. Walking inside feels like going back in time. The price doesn't match what you get, though they do price match, so find the cheapest rate you can for a last-resort place to stay. Check-in also takes longer than usual because their system is old. You can pre-check in, but unlike at other hotels, you still have to wait in line for a digital key and room access. Good luck booking and staying at this Best Western Gateway Grand of Gainesville, FL.

The hotel looks like a castle from the road, and the rest of it looked great, especially the holiday decorations. Someone clearly put a lot of time into them. The pool and hot tub were nice, and breakfast with the omelet station was amazing. The front desk employee was friendly and helpful. My complaints are about the bathrooms and beds. The bathrooms need updating, including the right kind of toilet seat. I check for bedbugs at every hotel, and the mattress pad didn't cover the whole mattress. The mattress was stained and disgusting, and even the mostly clean sheets had stains. They should use a fully enclosed waterproof mattress cover. Still, it's convenient and reasonably priced for a quick night's sleep. I've stayed in worse places for more money.

We booked this hotel at the last minute because my mother was in hospice nearby, and we needed somewhere to sleep besides the chairs in her room. She passed away overnight. When we arrived at the hotel early that morning, the room hadn't been cleaned. There was a blood stain on the sheets, hair on the sheets and pillowcases, and debris all over the floor. I was too exhausted to try to get another room. At checkout I told the man at reception about the room, but he didn't seem to care. It was very disappointing, and I'll never stay here again. If you have to stay here, check the room first.