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Son of a...

A month ago, we booked a hotel room at a Hilton resort in Phoenix.  We booked a nonrefundable rate because the rate was cheaper and we knew we weren't going to cancel the trip.

I just checked the Bed Bug Registry web site, and one person posted a couple of weeks ago that there are bed bugs at the hotel.

SOB! 

Now what!?  I'm afraid to even tell my husband.  He's already FREAKING OUT about bed bugs because they've been in the news so much lately and he's a huge neat freak and a moderate germaphobe.

Re: Son of a...

  • Hmmm... I just called customer service.  They will let me transfer my reservation to a sister property for a $50 fee, plus the increased nightly rate at the other property.  It would be about an extra $45/night.

    Should I switch?

  • When you get to the hotel, do not set your luggage on the bed. Check the room for bedbugs. NPR recently had a story on how to do this, so you might go there for how to check, otherwise a google search should help if you don't know already. If you find any evidence of bugs, you have two options, ask for another room located as far from the infested room as possible or ask for a refund and find a new hotel. I'm sure they would honor that request.
  • imageKasa:

    Hmmm... I just called customer service.  They will let me transfer my reservation to a sister property for a $50 fee, plus the increased nightly rate at the other property.  It would be about an extra $45/night.

    Should I switch?

    I would.  Even if there weren't bed bugs anymore the fear of them would keep me awake and put a major damper on my trip.  Bed bugs are so gross and you don't want to end up with all those red bites on you- blech.  It would be worth the $$ for me.  

    I would try negotiating a little more with the costumer service ppl.  Just complain and say how disappointed you are and ask for a manager etc... 

    TTC September 2010 thru October 2011
    SA February 2011: Normal
    RE App. October 2011 - Recc. Clomid and IUI

    Taking a break from TTC to pursue adoption

    Met our 2 year old son in Russia July 2012!
    Court trip October 2012
    Home November 24 2012!

    adoption blog: addingaburden.com

    Adding a Burden
  • At the very least, you should be able to negotiate the change fee to be waived. Offer to email the link supporting your claim.
  • imageKasa:

    Hmmm... I just called customer service.  They will let me transfer my reservation to a sister property for a $50 fee, plus the increased nightly rate at the other property.  It would be about an extra $45/night.

    Should I switch?

     

    I would call the property directly and ask to speak to the manager.  They will have more control over trying to figure out a plan for you.  I'd hope that if you told a manager that their hotel had a reputation for bugs, they'd want to know, take care of it, and make you happy.  Especially at the level of a Hilton.

    I wouldn't pay extra to switch unless all other options for negotiation were exhausted.  If they are a health hazard then you shouldn't have to pay to switch.

  • There is no way I would stay where there were bed bugs...no matter how much money I am out. But I would think that because of this they should honor your reservation and either refund you or make sure that you are in a bug free hotel (or room....if that is even possible). From what I have heard they are impossible to get rid of....definitely not worth the money, at least to me.
  • I called and talked to the manager on duty, who put me on hold and talked to the hotel director, and then came back and told me that they needed to talk to the "executive committee" and call me back tomorrow.  He said he didn't think it would be a problem to provide me with a full refund, but they needed authorization to do so.

    So, it sounds hopeful!  *fingers crossed*

  • Also, my husband handled this surprisingly well, considering how he's been obsessing about bed bugs recently. He was less upset about it than I was.

    I've known him for 12 years, and I still can't accurately predict his reactions.  Men!  Stick out tongue

  • I liked it much better when I could keep my head in the sand about bed bugs - when they existed but it really wasn't an issue.

    What is up with them lately.

  • Woot!  They're giving me a full refund!  Two thumbs for Hilton's customer service.  YesYesSmile
  • imageKasa:
    Woot!  They're giving me a full refund!  Two thumbs for Hilton's customer service.  YesYesSmile

     That's great!  This is also why I went back to only reserving rooms through the hotels actual website rather than orbitz or travelocity.  I think there's much more room for bargaining this way.  Only occasionally, and at the last minute, do I priceline.

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