What would YOU ask for?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 10:57pm

I woke up this morning in my hotel with a swarm if tiny ants crawling all over the table in the room. I promptly KILLED them...although I know didn't get them all because some would "appear" every so often as I got ready to leave.

When I was walking through the lobby about 11:00 AM, I stopped at the front desk and told the clerk about the ants. He said, "Yeah, we've been fighting them for a while."

I explained that I would be gone all day and most of the evening, so it would be fine to have someone go in and treat the room. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll take care of it."

Well, I got back to my room about 9:30 PM. There were ants EVERYWHERE. I called the front desk, and the young lady working tonight was just as apologetic as could be. She came up to my room and took out the wastepaper basket, which was covered with ants. She said she couldn't offer to put me another room because they were completely booked.

I explained how I had told the guy this morning about the problem and she said there was "no record" of my complaint. She also told me she had looked for some "bug spray" but couldn't find any. She apologized some more (she was a sweetheart, really) and said, "If there is ANYTHING else we can do to make this up to you, please let us know."

So, tomorrow morning, I have talk to a manager. My question to you is...

What would you ask for to compensate for this?


(Did I mention the insect bites on my arms and legs???)

Updated On: 7/24/08 at 10:57 PM

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:01pm

Is it a chain or a unique hotel.

I would ask either for a night comped, or a credit for another stay at an affiliated hotel.

I would also contact the health department/BBB and tell them of the problem.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:03pm

It is a chain, You.

I've stayed here before and I loved it, but now, I'm not very happy!

[Patronus]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:03pm

I agree. I'd start with having the stay comped.

That is unsanitary.

[Chance]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:06pm

Def demand the stay be comped and DEF call the BBB.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:07pm

At least a comp.
I would have lost it really and demanded they put me up in another hotel or something, just reading it here has my skin crawling and me feeling miserable.
It is dangerous really.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:17pm

I'd ask for a credit for a free night the next time I stay, or a comp if that is not possible. Things do happen and the hotels sometimes try to do the best they can. It depends on how seriously they try to deal with it. It could be that the morning person was not with the program. When asking just remember that it is not always the fault of the person you are speaking with. Having that kind of attitude can sometimes go a long way. Hotels do have to deal with professional complainers who will always try to get something free. But it sounds like your complaint is legitimate.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/23/08 at 11:26pm

I was VERY kind to the young woman who came to help me. I said, "You happen to be the one who's working tonight so you have to hear my complaint, but I want you to know that I know it's not your fault. It's just gross!" And she said, "Thank you, I really appreciate that because often people do treat me like it IS my fault."

I said, "I can live with a lot of things. I know things go wrong, and that's okay. I don't like to make a fuss. But BUGS are a big deal!" (I said this all very nicely, BTW.) She said, "I completely agree with you!!!"

"When you pay to stay at a hotel, you don't expect there to be BUGS! I mean, I draw the line at BUGS!" Again, she agreed with me. (And, mind you, I have seen a bug or two in other hotel rooms, but we're talking HUNDREDS!)

Updated On: 7/23/08 at 11:26 PM

[KrissySim]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 1:13am

Sounds like you did the right thing. We could start a new thread here.

My worst experience was my second time in America a few years ago. I stayed at a beautiful resort on a big lake in Washington state. It was managed by a chain of resorts. All the rooms were booked well in advance and it was mid summer. There were no other rooms available within a hundred miles. I got in after dark, late as often is the case when I have to finish work before hitting the road.

The minimum wage housekeepers that morning either "forgot" or didn't want to clean the bathroom. I got in and found that someone before me had had a bad case of diarrhea, leaving feces splattered on the bathroom walls, toilet and floor. I walked right out of the room and to the front desk at the main building. They had no other rooms, so I had them call around to book me one elsewhere. The nearest one was too far away to be of any use. Meanwhile a crew of a porter, desk clerk and night watch person went to clean the room, ceiling to floor, bedroom, too, all over again. It was not in any of their job descriptions. But I watched to make sure it was cleansed and disinfected. With suggestions of Health Department visits, lawsuits, newspapers, etc, they gave me the room free and a credit for another stay in any of their resorts. They also gave me an open ticket to the restaurant, though I frankly wasn't hungry after that. (Dinners range from $50.- $100. or more if you buy drinks.) I just felt that for $285. per room/night (2005) one should expect better. I did take them up on breakfast the next morning.

I've stayed in places in Eastern Europe where the "bathroom" was a public bath down the road, or where there was no furniture in the room, but this place was the worst (and a hell of a lot more expensive).

So I can sympathize!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 1:45am

Try going through that at 14!

[DG]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 1:50am

Room comp is a given.

I honestly couldn't sleep in the room - at all.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 1:59am

I'm awake right now...even though I am REALLY tired. (Just killed another one.)

I can't even believe I'm the person who, two years ago, started a thread titled, "I love bugs!" What was I thinking?????

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:00am

How much longer are you staying? They should comp your stay and relocate you. And definitely complain on a corporate level. I have a week stay at another resort as well as a comp.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:02am

I'm leaving tomorrow morning. That's why I need responses tonight.

Tell me, oh wise ones, how would YOU word this request for compensation?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:05am

I sent a letter to the corporate level, stating the times of the complaints, using names when I could. We had ordered a pizza and left the box on the table. The next morning, it was COVERED with ants. They did treat the next day, but they came back. If there are more tonight, take pictures. Make sure you point out the length of the stay and how it pretty much ruined your stay. Like I said, I was given a free week at my choice of resorts.

[DG]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:07am

When I was about 12yo, I went to our kitchen to get some iced tea after mowing the lawn. After pouring a glass, I went to the cupboard to get a straw from a box of them we kept there - where an ant colony had decided to make a 'temporary staging area'. Not realizing this, I grabbed a straw, shoved it in the glass and took a big gulp - which immediately filled my mouth with live, wriggling ants.

What followed can only be described as a combination of scenes from THE EXORCIST and POLTERGEIST.

Ever since then, ants have been VERY high on my list of THINGS I CAN'T F*CKING DEAL WITH!!!

I would seriously need to find another hotel or sleep in the car.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:10am

Miss P, if you are on a business trip, try to get a comp somewhere else, that way you can still expense this one, but get the benefit of the mess on your own time!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:12am

WOW, DG! That is positively TRAUMATIC! You poor baby.

(OMG, one just walked across the screen. I'm serious.)

JG, the letter is a great idea, but I'm just wondering what I say TOMORROW when I see the manager face-to-face. Any advice?

[KrissySim]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:15am

I agree with JerseyGirl2, document everything you can. Takes pictures of bugs. Pictures of bites, identifying the room.

You can always see an attorney if you are not satisfied with the talk with the manager or response from corporate.

[DG]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:16am

Trust me, MissP - being the drama queen that I am (even at 12!) it was QUITE a scene

I would simply state that this is unacceptable, and you won't pay for the stay. And if there's more time you need there in town, they should help relocate you.

I'd have to do it right now!

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:16am

I have a weird story. My family was going on vacation down in Florida. Well my parents booked a hotel on the Internet, it was nice looked beautiful. Well when we got there it wasn't anything like that. You ever seen the movie "Vacancy"? That is what it was like. It looked like crap. Paint was pealing everywhere. In the middle of vacation season they were painting the pool. We get to our room, we walked in and it was filthy. There was AXE that they stole from the Dollar Store across the street. If you walked in the room the bottom of your socks turn black. Well we went out and walked along the beach & when we got back THE KEY WOULDN'T WORK. We got the guy, he was drunk off his ass, mind you the entire family that owns it LIVE THERE. He tried the key, it wouldn't work. He went to get the master key BUT HE LOST IT! We ended up putting my brother through a window. My mom got on the phone to find another hotel.

There is more but it gets a little racist, I'll tell you if you want. Updated On: 7/24/08 at 02:16 AM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:20am

I'm not going to hire an attorney KS. (Unless my bug bites turn into melanoma.)

But now you all know why I would NEVER, EVER, EVER go camping!!!!



(DG, did you ever think that the ant incident is what turned you INTO a drama queen? Blame it all on the ants, that what I say!!! )

[DG]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:22am

Well, MissP, by 12 I was already WELL set in my ways

But I'm not averse to the concept of assigning blame!

[KrissySim]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:30am

I wouldn't suggest hiring an attorney. Usually the first consultation (even over the phone) is free. Then if they think you have a strong case they can take the case on a contingency where they get paid if you win, but only if you win (they collect from the defendant).

But you're right, it may not be that strong a case, but if you need to see a dermatologist, the hotel should pay for it and any medications.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/24/08 at 2:38am

It's not really a question of whether the "case is strong." I am just not going to spend the time, energy or effort for something like this...unless my health is seriously threatened.

(DG, "I'm your Antie Maim!")