The Lake City Community College is located in a rural area approximately 12.7 miles from I-75. There are no motels near the college. However, there are a many near the exit, literally side-by-side-by-side. They ones listed below are within 0.3 of mile from each other off exit 427 (the same exit as the campground and the college), and as close as a 5 minute walk to the campground. Nearby (as in a 10-15 minute walk or less from most) are every restaurant you could name (Steak Houses, Sea Food, Chinese, McDonalds), Walmart, Lowes, Office Max, Publix (the major food chain here - very nice stores).
The motels in the Lake City area range in price from $149 per day (no weekly rate) to as low as $25 per day. Most are in the $45 range. We have personally visited every one on this list, along with quite a few more. From past NSS Conventions we have found that the vast majority of our attendees prefer a reasonable rate for a nice room. With that in mind, the list below falls into the category of clean, smells nice, A/C works, showers hot, bathrooms clean, cable/satellite TV and willing to give discounts. All have very nice rooms, and we checked several at each motel. The tax rate is 0.09 cents for Motels.
When calling, please tell them that you are with the "NSS Convention in August that will be at the Lake City College". They have a card from us with those dates on it.
We recommend the following:
#1 - Gateway Inn
3783 Hwy 90 West
(386) 755-1707
Jyoti Patel
35-40 rooms available
Very nice motel, frequented by cave divers so often that there are NSS News' on the table in the lobby. Appeared like a small mom & pop on the outside, but was surprised by the quality of the rooms. Jyoti insisted on letting me choose some rooms to see and showing us several more. Very nice, smelled nice and very, very clean. Large refrigerator for those who may want to stock up on food and beverages. Furthest from the campground (0.5 miles)
$39.99 Mon-Fri, $44.95 Sat-Sun, $289.93 Weekly, all prices + tax
Photos: Gateway Inn 1 Gateway Inn 2 Gateway Inn 3 Gateway Inn 4
#2 - Scottish Inn
2916 West US Hwy 90
(386) 755-0230
Neel & Sandy Patel
20 rooms available
Nice rooms, especially for a Scottish Inn. Closest to the campground (0.2)
Weekly - $245 + tax (9%)
Photos: Scottish Inn 1 Scottish Inn 2 Scottish Inn 3
#3 - Travelodge
3711 W. US 90
(386) 755-9306
Ken Thakor
50 rooms available (42 double, 8 king)
As with the rest, nice rooms and everything clean and seeming to work. Small refrigerator in room.
Daily - $49.95+tax, Weekly $314.65
Photos: Travelodge 1
#4 - Econolodge
178 SW Florida Gateway Drive (just off the exit on a side road)
(386) 752-7891
Reni
40-45 rooms.
Nice rooms, small fridge, cable, etc. You know the routine by now!
Daily - $44.99+tax, Weekly - $343.28 (tax included)
Photos: Econolodge 1 Econolodge 2 Econolodge 3 Econolodge 4
#5 - Motel 6
3835 US 90 West
(386) 755-4664
Ankit Patel
75 rooms available
Guess what? Nice rooms, small fridge, cable, etc. again.
Daily $43.99, Weekly $244+tax.
Photos: Motel 6 1 Motel 6 2 Motel 6 3 Motel 6 4
And, closest to the campground (0.1) we have...
#6 - Inn & Out RV Park
4360 Peters Road (the entrance is on Hwy 90)
386-752-1648
www.inandoutrvpark.com
Janak Patel & Gina
6 Cabins and 87 RV sites, though about 1/2 of the RV sites appear to be pretty permanent. The cabins, though there are only 6 of them, are cedar inside and well lit. Though slightly higher than some of the motel rooms, they have two double beds, satellite tv, a fridge, two burner stove, and a microwave. The shower is just a shower stall (no tub) but otherwise pretty roomy. Also, you must bring your own cooking and eating supplies - the cupboards are bare. If you need full hook-up RV, they have it here.
Photos: In&Out 1 In&Out 2 Inn&Out 3 Inn&Out 4 Inn&Out 5
The other motels in the area will have rooms available also, however they are priced in the $75 & up per night.
If we had to recommend any place, it could be at any of the above. They all appear to be owned by the same extended family (the Patels) and are basically all the same. Since August in Florida can be hot, we realize that a larger portion of our attendees may choose to rent a room rather than camp. For that reason, we have selected the above to accommodate around 225 people. The cabins at the In & Out RV Park will not last long (only 6 available), and even the rooms at the Motel 6 will not hold everyone. For this reason, and for the sake of socializing afterwards with easy walking to the shops, we would have to say that the Scottish Inn (across the street from all the major stores and restaraunts, same side of I-75) is our first choice, and soley because they are so close to everything. All of the other motels on the same side of the interstate offered much higher rates (Red Roof Inn, Holiday Suites, etc.). Googling motels in Lake City will bring all of these up.
If yo don't mind a 2 minute drive (1/2 mile), then the Gateway Inn, Travelodge, Econolodge, etc. are all near each other on the the West side of the exit.
The Convention Campground has a few RV sites with power and water, but no cable, internet or sewer hookups. Please send an email to our registrar, Sue Kettles, for information and availability of sites. She can be reached at registration @ nss2008 dot com.
The Monday night Howdy Party , the Wednesday night Campground Party, the Auction, and optional camping will be located at the Columbia County Fair Grounds.
Other Accommodations
At intersection of I-10 and US Hwy 441:
Oak 'N Pines RV Resort
3864 N. US Hwy 441 Lake City, FL 32055
(800) 283-7183
Chateau H2O A 3-bedroom cottage which rents for $109 a night, about 20 minutes from the convention down Hwy 47 and Hwy 340. Very comfortable for 4-5 people.
Grady House Historic Bed and Breakfast in High Springs, about a half hour away from the convention site. Caver friendly!
Dive Outpost Rentals
Rustic Inn Bed and Breakfast in High Springs
