Where did you end up staying?

I stayed at the american best value inn, it was cheaper than days inn and rush lake doesn't have a website ... was okay, kind of what I expected from a cheap motel, room was okay clean, not too loud... also quiete some other festers there so I got a ride back from the warehuse show to the hotel the one night and had company walking downtown 2 times...

but as days inn is cheaper right now for a bigger room and just on the other side of the street - I will stay there this year

Thanks for the advie. I will have to check out Days Inn on your recomendation.

no problem - only saw days inn from outisde, so can't say much to the rooms, but I personally don't really care.. after hours of shows and drinking - I would sleep well everywhere, so I only choose my hotel on price and distance

I've stayed there...the rooms are pretty big and are fine for your needs. It's not as nice as the HI but so much cheaper!

I found Red Roof Inn nearby that I think I might end up going with.

I have booked a room at the Paramount Plaza for the weekend. Was this a mistake? I'm told it's quite a long way from the action? Anyone who has stayed here in the past able to offer advice?

It's a wee bit further out than the Comfort Inn, which is a 25-30 minute walk to the action. There's a bus that takes you about two thirds of the way though for when you can't be bothered, and taxis are cheap enough for the way back. And Common Grounds has a sort of left luggage for dumping stuff so you don't have to lug it around all day, or no doubt you'll know someone in the Holiday Inn and you can leave stuff in their room.

That's very helpful. Thank you Kenny.

how much would a cab be from the paramount to downtown? also, what time does this bus stop running at night?

I can't really remember how much taxis were but it wasn't much between four of us, maybe about $12 or something like that? No idea when the buses stop running, sorry. They turn off SW13th to go to the Uni, about 8th Ave or so, so you need to get off there. I think it was a flat rate of $1, maybe $1.50.

I might be totally making this up but I have a recollection that the buses stopped around 10 or 11?

It differs, depending on the day. Some routes are extended to 2 AM. You can wade through the info here:

http://www.go-rts.com/index.aspx

I also noticed you can track the buses via your phone now...there are signs at some of the stops.

http://news.ufl.edu/2008/06/09/rts-gps/

I think this new Hampton Inn is open BTW. it looked like their were people stay there last time i went by.

Hampton Inn & Suites Gainesville-Downtown
101 SE First Avenue
Gainesville, Florida 32601
1-352-240-9300

Here it is:

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=LYDJVHRK3EWEUCSGBJC3MQQ?ctyhocn=GNVDTHX

Yeah it is, Janeen found a newspaper link talking about its first day open.