The Fest 9

Hotels

OFFICIAL FEST HOTEL

The Holiday Inn University Center
1250 W University Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352)376-1661

Located adjacent to the University of Florida, at the corner of NW 13th St. and University Ave. Across from Leonardo's By the Slice. 10 walking blocks from the heart of THE FEST 9.

RATES: $169.00 per night (+3% bed tax, +6.25% Florida State sales tax).
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday available!

FEATURES

  • Fest 9 Registration on site.
  • Fest 9 Flea Market on site.
  • Four bars located within the hotel running Fest specials.
  • 24-hour front desk, free parking, handicapped accessible rooms, 100% smoke-free facility, outdoor rooftop pool, laundry/valet service, coin-operated washers and dryers, safe deposit box, air conditioned rooms, AM/FM clock-radio, in-room coffee maker, in-room data ports, FREE high speed wireless internet, in-room hair dryer, in-room iron and ironing board, in-room voice mail, in-room cable television, fitness center, on-site restaurant, Enterprise car rental on site.

OTHER DETAILS

  • 20+ restaurants/bars located within a three-block walk of the hotel.
  • Check in anytime after 4 PM.
  • Check out by 11 AM.
  • A credit card or $100 cash deposit for incidentals must be provided at check in.
  • Each room will be responsible for signing a damage waiver upon check in.
  • Phones, movies, video games, and room service will remain shut off unless a credit card is provided.
  • This hotel is 100% non-smoking inside Ð there will be a $225 cleaning fee if rooms need to be cleaned for smoking.
  • ALL HOTEL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE BY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24th TO RECEIVE A REFUND!

Alright, here's the skinny on the Holiday Inn

It's the official FEST 9 hotel, meaning that it is the working hub and epicenter of the fun and insanity of the weekend. Everyone must come here for Fest registration, and it will be hoppin' just like the last three years with drinks flowin', flea market wares hawkin', pool partyin', grills raging, and tons of friends hangin'. It's probably going to be slamming the whole weekend, so don't stay here if you are expecting to get a peaceful night's sleep - you're liable to run into a little room party or thirty.

Everyone staying at The Holiday Inn should know: ALL HOTEL ATTENDEES WILL BE GIVEN WRISTBANDS UPON CHECK IN. THESE WRISTBANDS MUST BE WORN ALL WEEKEND. MAXIMUM OF FOUR WRISTBANDS PER ROOM.

You'll notice that the price has gone up a bit from last year, and that is to account for a number of extra features, one of which will be extra hired security who will patrol the hotel throughout The Fest 9. If they find people roaming the hotel after 10pm without a wristband on, they will be forced to escort you out. This is to prevent the massive number of non-hotel attendees who were at the hotel a few years ago during Fest stirring up trouble late night. Sorry crusties, no sleeping on the couches in the lobby this year!

OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE FEST HOTEL

The Paramount Plaza Hotel Suites
2900 SE 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352)377-4000
http://www.paramountplaza.com

Located right next to Chopstix down on 13th Street. 29 blocks from registration and about 4 miles from the downtown center of the FEST 9!

RATES: $100.00 per night for Doubles and Kings (+3% bed tax, +6.25% Florida State sales tax).

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday available!

FEATURES

  • On-site restaurant and bar running weekend-long Fest specials.
  • Non-smoking, but every room has a balcony!
  • Outdoor pool, ice machine, 24 hour front desk, self-service laundry facilities, dry cleaning/laundry service, safe deposit box, wheelchair accessible, elevator, free high speed wireless internet, fitness room, free parking, free airport shuttle, 24-hour business center, cable TV with remote control, pay per view movies on TV, video games, AM/FM radio alarm clock, voicemail, large work desk with lamp, private balcony, coffee and tea maker, closets, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, daily maid service, electronic locks, fire alarms.

OTHER DETAILS

  • 6+ restaurants/bars located within a four block radius.
  • Check in any time after 3 PM.
  • Check out by 11 AM (late check out available for extra fee)
  • All available FEST rooms are 100% non-smoking
  • ALL HOTEL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE BY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH TO RECEIVE A REFUND!

Here's the skinny on the Paramount Plaza

Just like years past, this is the chill-out get-away hotel for those of you that don't want to party Ôround-the-clock while you're here. The Paramount is by far the nicest hotel in Gainesville in terms of location and scenery, they have a killer outdoor pool that looks out over Biven's Arm lake, so you can camp out here with your special someone and enjoy cocktails served in coconuts while relaxing next to the lake and chilling out with some gators. This is a quieter hotel, not to say that it isn't awesome but it's definitely not the wild and crazy Holiday Inn. Like last year, they'll be running FEST drink and food specials from their in-house restaurant and bar. PARAMOUNT also runs a shuttle in the mornings to the Holiday Inn for Registration and getting closer to downtown.