Doubletree by Hilton Gainesville

The rooms are large, bathrooms nicely updated, however, found quite a bit of "stuff" under the bed. Front desk staff is lovely , evening cocktail hour is a pleasant addition. Pool and hot tub are always a plus. On check in I requested and received a handicapped first floor room by the pool, makes it possible to spend some time with my daughters. We had to go over to Shands for cardiac testing for my 17 year old and it was great to be able to look forward to relaxing at the pool afterward.

The general manager, Tim, had scheduled parking lot renovation for the weekend we were there. When we returned to the hotel the majority of the parking lot was blocked off and we were unable to park near the entrance closest to our room. As the entire parking lot appeared to be blocked off I stopped my car at the main entrance and went to the desk to ask where I was supposed to park. When I was told that I would have to park on the far back side of the hotel, this would require a walk of more than 300 feet, I explained that I have heart failure, I need a new heart, and that I'm not able to do that. I asked why on check in I wasn't informed that I wouldn't be able to park close to an entrance by my handicapped room. At this point Tim came from the area behind the desk telling the desk clerk that he would handle this. he informed me that there were handicapped spots on all sides of the building, so surely I could find one to use. I attempted to explain that not all handicapped people are alike, so not all handicapped spots are alike, and what my physical limitations are, but Tim talked over me saying we can move your room. I explained again the purpose of asking to be by the pool was to be able to spend time with my daughters, and moving me to another wing made it impossible for me to spend time by the pool with them. I asked for a workable solution where I didn't have to pack up all of our stuff, move our room, and not be able to spend time with my daughters. Time then said he would have someone "hold" a handicapped space (again on the far side of the building) for me, I then pointed out that this was in fact illegal, and the situation currently made the hotel non compliant with the ADA. Tim frequently yelled at me during this exchange,pointed out that he was the GM so there was nothing that would be done. When I asked who the owner is he snapped "Wells Fargo bank" at this point I gave up on finding a workable solution as the chest pain had started, I went to my car, and drove to the far side of the hotel, maneuvering around the construction equipment, having one construction worker wave me through and another then drive a piece of equipment almost into me. I finally get in a spot, and we start the walk to our room. (Had I known about the construction I would have brought my wheelchair like I do when walking distances is required, the hospital loans them for visitors and I mistakenly assumed I wouldn't have a great distance to walk). Instead of being with my girls I went to bed. Since my diagnosis five years ago I take every chance I can to make memories with my daughters, and this trip could have been filled with fun memories for them, instead it was a stark reminder of what heart failure has taken from our family. Tim could have found a way to make the situation work with my physical limitations, instead he wanted to show me that he was the boss, and he made all the rules.

Good location, nice lobby area for coffee and breakfast

There is no refrigerator in my king room and bathroom wasn't clean

Comfortable bed

I could not get the wireless internet access to work