Know Your Rights When Traveling and Checking Into Hotels

We do a lot of traveling every year. When we travel…we try to do our homework before we leave. We will look at reviews for hotels and motels that we may be considering. When looking at reviews you always want to look for comments regarding cleanliness or the lack-of. In addition, look at the dates on the reviews…were they left 10 years ago or more recently?

When it comes to cleanliness it’s not just about the dirt and dust you may find in your hotel room. It’s also about bugs! Spiders, roaches, bed bugs, ants, etc. All kinds of bugs. Dirtier hotels have more of a problem with unwanted bugs in guest rooms than those who keep their facilities sparkling clean. With that said, even clean establishments can have an issue with bugs!

Once you arrive at your destination and get checked-in you want to immediately inspect your room. Look over the bathroom, underneath the beds and definitely check out the mattress and boxsprings. If the facility has bed bugs you’ll typically see them on the mattresses…pull those sheets off and look!!! In addition…if your room has an odor that’s a sign that it’s NOT the room for you!!! 

As a guest who’s paying for accommodations you have the RIGHT to refuse unsanitary rooms or rooms that have traces of bugs. Ask to be switched to a different room or ask for a refund and go somewhere else. Know your rights and exercise them when and if needed.