I think we all have one of those hotel horror stories to share. Am I right? Mine was a childhood road trip to Nashville, Tennessee with my parents. On a tight budget, a classically cheap motel was chosen. That night in Tennessee, the sheets were so pill-y and dotted with mysterious stains, I remember refusing to slide even just one leg under cover. Instead, I slept on top of the the scratchy, synthetic comforter. It felt safer that way. My parents and I laughed and cracked jokes through the night but the experience forever shaped my hotel expectations.
There are a few things perfectly acceptable to put up with from conventional budget accommodations: bare bones, outdated furnishings, that scratchy, synthetic comforter, and a bed that serves as nothing more than a place to get some shut eye, not necessarily a sufficient beauty rest. There are however, in my opinion, a few things completely unacceptable: dead roaches, bug bites and crusty sheets among other things. Is that asking too much?
Other frugal travelers on TripAdvisor agree. Here are their 2011 Top 10 decidedly dirtiest hotels here in the US based on user reviews:
1. Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
"There was dirt at least 1/2" thick in the bathtub which was filled with lots of dark hair."
2. Jack London Inn, Oakland, California
"Had to go buy socks so my feet wouldn't touch the carpet."
3. Desert Inn Resort, Daytona Beach, Florida
"They have dead roaches all over the hotel."
4. Hotel Carter, New York City, New York
Photo: iStockphoto
"The bathtub was full of dirty black stuff."
5. Polynesian Beach & Golf Resort, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Photo: iStockphoto
"Hold your nose for the garbage smell."
6. Atlantic Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida
"Probably more sanitary to sleep in the bathroom of the room."
7. Rodeway Inn, Williamsville, New York
Photo: Flickr/dhReno
"Crusty white stains on the blankets and sheets."
8. Super 8 Estes Park, Estes Park, Colorado
Photo: Flickr/MissMessie
"Mouse feces located around the base of the bathroom."
9. Palm Grove Hotel and Suites, Virginia Beach, Virginia
"Camp out on the beach instead."
10. Econo Lodge Newark International Airport, Elizabeth, New Jersey
"25 bug bites between the two of us."
Let's hope the not-so-glowing reviews inspire the hotel management to regularly break out the eco-friendly cleaning products and investigate humane or less toxic pest management
In the meanwhile, I'm going to skip the cheap-o hotels for frugal green hostels or house swaps. Much cooler, comfortable and sustainable.