With the price of accommodations at an all-time high, you want to be sure that you are going to enjoy your stay at a hotel. However, if you arrive and realize that the room isn’t what was sold online, you might find yourself staying in less-than-desirable conditions. That said, some chains have a reputation for being unclean and just gross. Here is a look at the dirtiest hotel chains in the United States and what previous guests have to say about their experience.
4. Motel 6
Motel 6 is known for providing extremely affordable accommodations. Around Charlotte, prices don’t run higher than $76 per night. Again, you get what you pay for. There is a reason Motel 6 is on the list of dirtiest hotel chains in the U.S. Reviews on Consumer Affairs cite multiple locations across the country as being “disgusting” and “unsafe.” Overall, they have a 2.3-star rating on the site. Out of 868 reviews, 646 are 1-star reviews. In one case, a reviewer said that their room reeked of “ammonia and mildew.”
Kate from Henderson, Nevada, said, “the conditions were not only unsanitary but also unsafe. Here are the key issues we encountered: Filthy and Sub-standard Room: Upon arrival, our room was in a shocking state. There was vomit on the refrigerator (which was not working), dried bodily fluids (use your imagination) on various surfaces, and a filthy shower with an unclean curtain. It was clear that the room had not been properly cleaned or maintained.”
3. Econo Lodge
Prices for the Econo Lodge are even cheaper than Days Inn. In the Charlotte, NC area, there aren’t any options higher than $82. While you’ll save money on your stay, it may cost you in other ways. On Consumer Affairs, customers have given Econo Lodge 2.1 stars. Of 246 reviews, 110 of them are 1-star ratings. Most people have complained about the lack of cleanliness in the hotel and bad service from the workers at the front desk. One reviewer stated that they even found empty syringes and drugs hidden in their room.
Jolene from Modesto, California, wrote, “The econo Lodge in Sacramento was the dirtiest hotel I’ve ever stayed at in my life. The hotel was uncapped. The windows did not close or lock. There was mold on the bathroom ceiling and bathtub. The door to the bathroom was broken. The room was filthy. I was very disappointed.”
2. Super 8
Super 8 is even cheaper than those previously mentioned, but it has a 1.7-star rating on Consumer Affairs. There are a total of 607 reviews on the site for Super 8, with 420 of them receiving 1-star ratings. Common complaints are dirty rooms, mold, “run down” accommodations, and unprofessional customer service employees at the front desk.
One traveler, Rebecca from Anaconda, Montana, wrote, “Old and run down. Took over 10 minutes for clerk to show up at the front desk. The mattress was worn out and had a hole in the middle that I kept rolling into making my night’s sleep horrible. Carpet was worn. Facility had a stale, sour smell. No wash cloths in bathroom. Amenities skimpy. The electric outlet that the hair dryer was plugged into had dirt/dust hanging out of it.”
1. Days Inn
Days Inn has more than 1,200 locations across the United States and offers affordable accommodations for travelers. Prices in most areas will range from $45 to just over $100 per night. Considering the current average price of a single night’s stay in a hotel hovers around $148+ now, that’s pretty decent. Reviews on Consumer Affairs have Days Inn rated with 1.5 stars. Of the 519 reviews left on the site, 365 are 1-star reviews. Customers commonly complain about dirty rooms, “sketchy” locations, bed bugs, the lack of handicap-accessible rooms, and poor customer service.
One review sounded like an absolute horror story. Ed from Amarillo, Texas wrote, “The room was absolutely disgusting. Pile of molded dog poop in room. Dirty tub. Dirty floors.” They continued, “Dirty walls. Tried to talk to front desk but there was no manager on site. Hair all over sink area. Bugs in light fixtures.”
Takeaways From the Dirtiest Hotel Chains
When it comes down to it, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on anything that’s going to be a disappointment. Traveling is already pricey. So, if you are booking a stay in the near future, it may be best to avoid these chains. If you can’t completely avoid them, you may want to read that specific location’s reviews before you spend a dime. In some cases, people who have stayed in these hotels have reported difficulties getting their money back. At worst, you’ll bring something home (like bed bugs) and the stay will be something you remember for months to come.
Do you agree with the reviews of these hotel chains? Let us know about your experiences in the comments.
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