Residence Inn by Marriott Gainesville I-75

We usually like Residence Inns, but this one fell short. The road noise made it hard to sleep, with old, outdated windows facing the highway and no real insulation. We knew it was near the highway, but expected better sound protection. Despite checking in online ahead of time and having long-term status, we got the last available room instead of an upgrade. It didn't seem properly prepared: dusty, with crumbly sheets and just enough towels. Reception staff didn't seem trained. When we asked for a quieter room, they offered earplugs. That wasn't funny.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the stay was okay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to book again. We were right beside I-75 with no sound barrier; our window faced the highway, and I was awake at 3-4am both nights. I didn't raise it with the staff because I couldn't see what they could do, and we were busy with no time to change rooms even if one had been available. The room was fine otherwise, though the teenagers had to enter the bedroom to use the bathroom, which made having a door pointless for my family. The mattress was extremely soft, if that's something you care about.

The room was clean, and I might come back. It's a bit dated, and the TV had white spots on the screen, so it needs replacing. The kitchen was equipped with a microwave, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, plates, pots, and pans. Some rooms look over the freeway, and restaurants and grocery stores are about a 30-minute walk away.

The staff were great, and this may be fine for most people, but I had to leave because of the constant noise and vibration. The hotel is right off the highway, and despite the website saying the windows are soundproof, the highway noise never let up. In both rooms I tried, there was a steady vibration strong enough to make the desk shake. If you're sensitive to sound or vibration, keep that in mind.