Where to stay near Lake City, Florida (Cave Country)?

tumbler · 26th February 2008, 18:31

I'm taking a CCR cave class in Florida next month, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a hotel in Lake City that is clean and comfortable, but won't cost a fortune? Thanks.

netmage · 26th February 2008, 19:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by tumbler)

I'm taking a CCR cave class in Florida next month, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a hotel in Lake City that is clean and comfortable, but won't cost a fortune? Thanks.

Lake City - that means Optima w/ John Jones...?

Ummm., wait a few minutes for Howard to see this thread, he just did ITC w/ John...

I stayed in High Springs at the Cadillac..., it's a little 'spartan', but it was a big room and cheap...

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 26th February 2008, 20:08

Lake City motels are going through a state of transition. Many are getting so run down that the owners are finally dealing with the need to do some fixing. This is also driven by the fact that more "upscale" (a relative term given the area) places are now competing for business though at a higher price.

I used to stay at the Motel 6. However, if a cold front comes through, they have central air conditioning, and they shut it down. I can't stand sleeping in the heat. So, I have discontinued staying there.

On my last two trips, I have been staying at the Jasmine Garden Inn. This place is also in a state of transition. The old owner let the place run down, and the new owner is remodeling rooms. It is not what I would call upscale, but it is affordable and clean (especially in the remodeled rooms). They also have weekly rates, which is good if you are staying for more than about four or five days.

Jimmy is the onsite manager; let him know that the guy with the rebreather sent you, and ask for one of the remodeled rooms on the first floor. He is good about getting back to you if you send email and a phone number.

BTW, "remodeled" does not mean everything in the room is new. The furniture is old and hurting. I think they are working on improvements in phases.

If you need clothing hangers, bring your own. Also, the bathing towels are small.

tumbler · 26th February 2008, 20:53

Actually, the class is with Tom Mount. He suggested staying in Lake City or High Springs as an alternate.

I was getting the impression that there were some pretty sketchy places in Lake City, which is why I asked the group. A few of the places I called seemed OK, but a few wanted as much a $150 a night! I read a few reviews of the less costly places, but they were called "Bedbug Palace" as often as not. I'm happy to skip the amenities, but I don't want to be eaten alive while sleeping either

.

Thanks for pointing me to the Jasmine Garden Inn. Their weekly rate is $170, which is much better than I've found anywhere. I'll certainly ask about the remodeled room and tell him "the guy with the rebreather" sent me... Thanks for the pointer!

teomannaskali · 26th February 2008, 21:10

You could have named the thread where to stay in florida. So when someone searches for it, it doesnt take forever to find it.

tumbler · 26th February 2008, 21:19

Thought about that right after hitting the button... Sadly I can't change the thread name after the fact. Hopefully vbulletin's search is robust enough to lead people here despite the oversight.

Got one of the remodeled rooms a Jasmine Garden for the weekly special. Thanks again for the pointer. He's a really nice guy!

billyf · 26th February 2008, 22:07

I always stay in one of Bill’s Trailers.
http://www.caveexcursions.com/t-rentalhomes.aspx
$55 a night for a double wide trailer that’s less than 10 minutes from most of the caves in the area, you just can’t beat it.
Also check out Rich’s website has a lot of info.
http://caveandtechnicaltraining.com/TheCaveDivingPage.htm

mriopel · 26th February 2008, 22:19

Days Inn was a good place to stay when I was doing my class there.

Mike

ScubaAl · 28th February 2008, 11:44

As I'm typing this I'm sitting in my room at the "High Springs country Inn" in of course High Springs. The motel is older but very well taken care of and clean. My room was $40.00per night.
Week and a half ago stayed at the "Cadillac Motel". In my opinion its a no brainer, stay at the Country Inn.
Came down for Mod1 Feb. 17-20 then down to Pompano Beach to start trimix training. After 3 dives in Pompano just bumming around. Dove at Ginnie yesterday OC and might go to Blue Grotto today to practice on the Inspiration. Then time to head back north to Minnesota.
Good Luck, Al

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 28th February 2008, 16:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by teomannaskali)

You could have named the thread where to stay in florida. So when someone searches for it, it doesnt take forever to find it.

Done.

26th February 2008, 18:31	#1 (permalink)
tumbler New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 28	Where to stay near Lake City, Florida (Cave Country)? I'm taking a CCR cave class in Florida next month, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a hotel in Lake City that is clean and comfortable, but won't cost a fortune? Thanks.
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26th February 2008, 19:32	#2 (permalink)
netmage Hello Kitty...... Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 441	Re: Where to stay? Quote: (Originally Posted by tumbler) I'm taking a CCR cave class in Florida next month, and I'm wondering if anyone can point me to a hotel in Lake City that is clean and comfortable, but won't cost a fortune? Thanks. Lake City - that means Optima w/ John Jones...? Ummm., wait a few minutes for Howard to see this thread, he just did ITC w/ John... I stayed in High Springs at the Cadillac..., it's a little 'spartan', but it was a big room and cheap... Last edited by netmage : 26th February 2008 at 19:35.
(Online)

26th February 2008, 20:08	#3 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,076	Re: Where to stay? Lake City motels are going through a state of transition. Many are getting so run down that the owners are finally dealing with the need to do some fixing. This is also driven by the fact that more "upscale" (a relative term given the area) places are now competing for business though at a higher price. I used to stay at the Motel 6. However, if a cold front comes through, they have central air conditioning, and they shut it down. I can't stand sleeping in the heat. So, I have discontinued staying there. On my last two trips, I have been staying at the Jasmine Garden Inn. This place is also in a state of transition. The old owner let the place run down, and the new owner is remodeling rooms. It is not what I would call upscale, but it is affordable and clean (especially in the remodeled rooms). They also have weekly rates, which is good if you are staying for more than about four or five days. Jimmy is the onsite manager; let him know that the guy with the rebreather sent you, and ask for one of the remodeled rooms on the first floor. He is good about getting back to you if you send email and a phone number. BTW, "remodeled" does not mean everything in the room is new. The furniture is old and hurting. I think they are working on improvements in phases. If you need clothing hangers, bring your own. Also, the bathing towels are small. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Online)

26th February 2008, 20:53	#4 (permalink)
tumbler New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 28	Re: Where to stay? Actually, the class is with Tom Mount. He suggested staying in Lake City or High Springs as an alternate. I was getting the impression that there were some pretty sketchy places in Lake City, which is why I asked the group. A few of the places I called seemed OK, but a few wanted as much a $150 a night! I read a few reviews of the less costly places, but they were called "Bedbug Palace" as often as not. I'm happy to skip the amenities, but I don't want to be eaten alive while sleeping either . Thanks for pointing me to the Jasmine Garden Inn. Their weekly rate is $170, which is much better than I've found anywhere. I'll certainly ask about the remodeled room and tell him "the guy with the rebreather" sent me... Thanks for the pointer!
(Offline)

26th February 2008, 21:10	#5 (permalink)
teomannaskali Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Home Build Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Istanbul TR Posts: 350	Re: Where to stay? You could have named the thread where to stay in florida. So when someone searches for it, it doesnt take forever to find it.
(Offline)

26th February 2008, 21:19	#6 (permalink)
tumbler New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 28	Re: Where to stay? Thought about that right after hitting the button... Sadly I can't change the thread name after the fact. Hopefully vbulletin's search is robust enough to lead people here despite the oversight. Got one of the remodeled rooms a Jasmine Garden for the weekly special. Thanks again for the pointer. He's a really nice guy!
(Offline)

26th February 2008, 22:07	#7 (permalink)
billyf New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 26	Re: Where to stay? I always stay in one of Bill’s Trailers. http://www.caveexcursions.com/t-rentalhomes.aspx $55 a night for a double wide trailer that’s less than 10 minutes from most of the caves in the area, you just can’t beat it. Also check out Rich’s website has a lot of info. http://caveandtechnicaltraining.com/TheCaveDivingPage.htm __________________ =============================== "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson
(Offline)

26th February 2008, 22:19	#8 (permalink)
mriopel Sadly Missed (RIP) Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: usa Posts: 167	Re: Where to stay? Days Inn was a good place to stay when I was doing my class there. Mike
(Offline)

28th February 2008, 11:44	#9 (permalink)
ScubaAl New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bloomington, Minnesota Posts: 39	Re: Where to stay? As I'm typing this I'm sitting in my room at the "High Springs country Inn" in of course High Springs. The motel is older but very well taken care of and clean. My room was $40.00per night. Week and a half ago stayed at the "Cadillac Motel". In my opinion its a no brainer, stay at the Country Inn. Came down for Mod1 Feb. 17-20 then down to Pompano Beach to start trimix training. After 3 dives in Pompano just bumming around. Dove at Ginnie yesterday OC and might go to Blue Grotto today to practice on the Inspiration. Then time to head back north to Minnesota. Good Luck, Al
(Offline)

28th February 2008, 16:33	#10 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,076	Re: Where to stay? Quote: (Originally Posted by teomannaskali) You could have named the thread where to stay in florida. So when someone searches for it, it doesnt take forever to find it. Done. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Online)

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