I checked into the Red Carpet Inn in Southington, CT and paid for two nights. The room wasn't luxurious or anything; the walls were rife with puttied-up holes, and the floor, while dark enough to mask what was probably a great deal of filth, had obviously not been vacuumed in a while. Still, for $55 a night plus tax, I figured you can't get too picky.
I never thought to pull back the sheets and check the bed linens.
Now, this was around 3:30 p.m., and after I brought my stuff up, I went out and did some errands. Even when I got back, I still didn't go to bed (or try to) until around 1 a.m. And then.
When I pulled back the covers, between the sheets was a soiled pair of underwear. That alone would have been enough to send me packing, but I also spotted a bug running out from under the pillow, which my movements had jostled. I moved the pillow . . . and spotted six or so more bugs before I stopped even CARING how many there were and just focused on getting out of there.
So I packed up my car - I have nothing better to do at 1:30 a.m. than pack up and try to find other lodgings - and informed the desk I had found soiled underwear and bedbugs and was leaving. I was told that it was fine . . . but that I would not be getting a refund, because they only do that if you check out within the first fifteen minutes. Now, honestly, I realize there are people out there that check in just for sex and then try to get out of paying. But I was alone, they could SEE I was alone, and I couldn't reasonably have been expected to check the bed before I was ready to get IN it. Like I said, do you think I have nothing better to do at 1:30 a.m. than go out looking for another motel?
There was no apology offered for the bugs and underwear, no offer to change my room (not that I would have accepted, because I think we all know that Room 206 was not going to turn out, you know, an isolated anomaly, with every other room perfectly clean), just an immediate refusal of a refund. Obviously, they're aware of the problem and have a standard response to it.
I finally got them to refund the second night (that I didn't stay for) and will be disputing the charge for the first with my CC company. In the meantime, I contacted the city health inspector and the BBB, and I'm trying to warn everyone about that bug-infested hole. The Motel 6 on Queen Street is cheaper and MUCH cleaner.
ChrissySpeaks
Southington, Connecticut
U.S.A.