When staying in hotel rooms

mrearlygold

Courtesy of Robert Mish


These hotels are in Atlanta but this kind of thing probably happens everywhere.

Hotel Expose'

ahooka454

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

blu62vette

yuck!!!

Goldbully

Thank God there were no coins being cleansed by this disgusting process!!!


Thanks for the expose!

greymars

Makes me want to bring my own cups/glasses for coffee and water to drink when staying at a Hotel..

Gary

Tootawl

<< <i>Makes me want to bring my own cups/glasses for coffee and water to drink when staying at a Hotel..

Gary >>


I do bring my own plastic cups. Usually the hotel cups are very small and I like big drinks.

mrearlygold

<< <i>Makes me want to bring my own cups/glasses for coffee and water to drink when staying at a Hotel..

Gary >>




My Wife always brings our towels and I always give here a hard time about it. Not any more.

ahooka454

im glad i got a small rv this summer. yuck yuck yuck!

WTCG

What was mentioned in the video aren't exactly positive marks for the hospitality industry, but I do not understand why people would be "shocked" about the report's revelations as they are rather common occurences in the hotel business, unfortunately. It's up to the individual hotel patron (you) to keep yourself healthy and protected when it comes to dealing with sanitation issues in any given hotel room.

Peter Greenberg, the travel editor for NBC News and editor-at-large for National Geographic Traveler has written several excellent books detailing the pecularities of travel and the travel industry. His books are an excellent read for anybody who is interested in the subject.

The Sheraton Suites Galleria mentioned in the report is one of two hotels directly connected to the Cobb Galleria Center, the venue for the Whitman Atlanta shows and two past ANA conventions. I have stayed there several times, though never thoroughly enjoying doing so. Furthermore, every time that I have stayed there I get this itchy and "icky" feeling when in their rooms. After this report apparently my negative vibes have merit since they've been substantiated by video evidence.

The best advice a hotelier once told me...if your hotel room bed has a polyester cover spread on it, take it off the bed and try not to touch it too much as they're lucky to be washed once every nine months. Ditto for the telephone receiver if there is a telephone in the bathroom and the television remote control.

SpaceMonkey

fc

i stay at the tally ho in erie PA every year, and heh, we get plastic
glasses wrapped and sealed in plastic.

40 bucks a night. and i get clean glasses!
those places you pay 100+? and get that kind of service! lol.

JapanJohn

I know something that will never let you make coffee again in a hotel room. Many years ago I was in the Navy and had to put up in a room on travel with another sailor. We checked in and in about 45 seconds he was relieving himself in the coffee pot.

Naturally I asked him WTF and he said "I don't drink coffee". That's all. No more no less. He did it because he could.

I have never made another pot of coffee in a hotel room since.

John

WTCG

<< <i>I know something that will never let you make coffee again in a hotel room. Many years ago I was in the Navy and had to put up in a room on travel with another sailor. We checked in and in about 45 seconds he was relieving himself in the coffee pot.

Naturally I asked him WTF and he said "I don't drink coffee". That's all. No more no less. He did it because he could.

I have never made another pot of coffee in a hotel room since.

John >>



Urine in the coffee pot isn't the worst I've seen...I've seen an even grosser body fluid in a hotel coffee pot once.

Coxe

The bed linens at many establishments have some tales to tell as well. I did the road quite a bit in the past and had colleagues who did so much more than me. Two of the best were unbelievable.

A room with two twin beds in it apparently hadn't undergone a change from the previous night as it didn't appear slept in. The guest the next day found it indeed was slept in when he woke up in the middle of the night covered in ticks. Management figured the previous guest's dog must have slept there instead of the floor.

Another was a bed where there was a huge blood stain on the sheet exposed when the blanket was pulled back. They chanhed the bed rather than check out whether it could be involved in some foul play. Neither of these hotels were typical hooker dens or seedy places like that either.

Between all of that crap and sick people on planes, it's so easy to be perpetually ill out on the road.

And let's not even get into pools and hot tubs at hotels.

ahooka454

WTF this is the nastiest thread i have ever seen!!!!



FC i live near erie pa. on the ohio side. any good shows in the area you know of first hand?



I love the pics.


john my dad was in the navy so was my moms.

coinnut86

Folks now you know when you go to FUN that you need to bring your own glasses, bedding and towels.

numisma

Oh the stories I could tell you about hotel living. The worst thing that every happened to me was a sheet covered with seemingly fresh blood and fecal matter. When I flipped out at the front desk they offered to change the sheets. I wanted to check out, but it was 2 am so they moved me to a new room that seemed okay. That same hotel, a Ramada in Boston, made sure that they had a nice warm glass of milk and a cookie waiting for you in your room after they cleaned it. Idiots.

One time for the Mid-America show James booked a room in a rough part of town that was absolutely disgusting. He arrived first from St. Louis and I agreed to stay after giving him a hard time about the room. It was just nasty. About a half hour after arriving I decided to go to bed. I pulled back the sheets and it was like a blanket of pubic hair and other dandruff-like material. I grabbed my bag and walked out. James followed saying "wait for me." He didn't even check out. We drove a mile down the road and found a brand new Comfort Inn for about $40 more per night.

And the first time I did the Baltimore show! I didn't know about the room shortage in that town (which I believe is controlled by organized crime). I tried to book a room at th Hyatt next to the convention center, but, as I recall, it was close to $300 per night. I ended up staying in some seedy room 20 minutes away. It was surrounded by barbed wire and was cash only. I woke up one morning to a guy passed out in front of my room. The fridge had moldy food in it and there were empty condom wrappers in the closet. I took pictures of all of that stuff (including the passed out guy) as a reminder to always get reservations in advance.

I have my own set of tricks when staying in hotels to prevent germs. For example, I always wrap the remote control in plastic before touching it. Think about what people do with those things. And I wouldn't touch one of their glasses for anything. Another thing that amazes me is when people set their tooth brushes on the counter of a hotel bathroom. I have seen this so many times.

Dawg144

<< <i>The best advice a hotelier once told me...if your hotel room bed has a polyester cover spread on it, take it off the bed and try not to touch it too much as they're lucky to be washed once every nine months. Ditto for the telephone receiver if there is a telephone in the bathroom and the television remote control. >>



I also try to avoid sitting on couches or chairs, since I doubt the cushions are ever sanitized.

numisma

At the Milwaukee ANA recently I checked into a room at a decent hotel downtown. When I got in the room, there was a big pile of dirty clothes (including underwear) in the chair and they stunk, even from a distance. I complained twice but did not get resolution. After several hours of waiting I finally slid the chair in the hall and then went down and told them that I put the dirty clothes outside of the room and that I wanted a new chair. When I came back, I had the same chair and I avoided sitting in it for the time I stayed there.

robkool

I always do a pillow, sheet, and blanket check before going to sleep in a hotel/motel. I also wear shoes, or slippers whenever I walk inside the rooms. The carpet in most of those rooms are filthy/disgusting.

lordmarcovan

OK, I'm in the hotel business.

And I used to work as a Housekeeping inspector in the last resort I was employed by.

Guess what?

We never removed the glasses from the bathroom, either.

HOWEVER, the room attendants were SUPPOSED to use HOT water, and the water in the rooms did get very hot, and the room attendants had dish soap with them (One only hopes they used it).

The lady spraying ammoniated glass cleaner into the glasses in that video was at least "disinfecting" them. One hopes she thoroughly washed them out after that, but I can see why the video is rather scary. And yep, it goes on all the time.

Currently I work for one of the fanciest resorts in the country, but not in Housekeeping, so I can't tell you for sure what the practice is here. I believe the glasses are removed and run through a dishwasher. The last place I worked, while not as fancy as this one, was a nice upscale resort.

I'll tell you something else, too, which is fairly common knowledge (I see WTCG brought this point up). A lot of hotels don't wash the bedspread, unless necessary. Oh, sure, maybe they get swapped out once a week (or month) or something if you're lucky, but most of the time, the comforter/duvet thing doesn't get washed. The sheets get changed, and maybe the blanket (sometimes), but not the top comforter/bedspread thingie.

I'm not saying that's the practice here where I work now- I don't know. But I've seen what goes on behind the scenes and have had to clean a room or two myself, in my day. Most of what I have seen is not so alarming, but the drinking glass thing and bedspread thing are kind of disturbing.

My inside tips for travelers: bring your own disposable cups. (The lower-end motels usually provide throwaways in the first place).

And peel the bedspread off the bed and stick it in the closet, if you're squeamish. Chances are, it's no dirtier than your average public couch or upholstered chair, but that's not so comforting to dwell on.

Bring some Lysol wipes for the 'phone and other surfaces.

Oh, and re- JapanJohn's urine in the coffeepot story, I've never seen anything like that. I did once find a dried puddle o' puke between a bed and the nightstand. Spring Break and GA-FLA weekend always sucked. But the place I work now is mostly priced beyond the riffraff.

BECOKA

Hmmm, so much food for thought.

WTCG

<< <i>At the Milwaukee ANA recently I checked into a room at a decent hotel downtown. When I got in the room, there was a big pile of dirty clothes (including underwear) in the chair and they stunk, even from a distance. I complained twice but did not get resolution. After several hours of waiting I finally slid the chair in the hall and then went down and told them that I put the dirty clothes outside of the room and that I wanted a new chair. When I came back, I had the same chair and I avoided sitting in it for the time I stayed there. >>



That was the problem with Milwaukee and having a major show there. The two best hotels in town were assigned nicknames by me as..."old and crappy", and "older and crappy". I had stayed at older and crappy before and didn't like it so I gave old and crappy a chance and that hotel was hideous as well. I knew I was going to have issues when it took me 30 minutes and two elevator round trips to the 16th floor just to complete the check-in process.

When it comes to these things particularly involving hotels and restaurants I always think I have the thickest skin around as not much would shock me. With that in mind, one coin dealer friend of mine used to work as a front desk supervisor at an ultra upscale resort in Hawaii. One time I asked him about the few worst things he's seen in a hotel room and what he told me gave me the shivers.

Thankfully it's been over a year since the last time I found blood in a hotel room. It was in a 23rd floor room at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, NV. Thankfully the front desk staff remedied the problem to my wishes and expectations.

One time in Toronto, Canada I was upgraded to a suite in a higher floor. The only problem was that when I opened the door I interrupted an intimacy session between a man and a woman in the bed of that suite. At least the amorous couple were good sports when I apologized for disrupting their together time. If I recall, the woman was probably in her mid 30's and was fairly attractive with quite a sexy figure.

One time at the Sheraton Suites at Philadelphia Airport I noticed about a half dozen globs of fresh gum stuck to the ceiling directly above the bed. After showing the manager in person the gum on the ceiling did she grudgingly agree to change me to a different room. I can't believe I'm actually admitting to the world that I've stayed at the Sheraton Suites at Philadelphia Airport before, but suffice to say that I will do everything in my power to never ever stay there again.

One time several years ago I checked in to a motel in Williams, AZ (near the Grand Canyon) that I found randomly because every other lodging possibility seemed to be sold out that night. The room was so old and disgusting (there was mold everywhere) that I decided to sleep in my rental car. Who knew that one gross motel room could make the back seat of a rental Chevrolet Impala look so inviting?

I have found used condoms in my hotel rooms on several occasions, so when it happens it's not really an extraordinary incident anymore. The last place I stumbled upon this repulsive surprise was at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, an otherwise spectacular hotel that I still enjoy patronizing and often refer my friends to. Management was completely apologetic and humiliated when I reported this housekeeping blunder and in turn I got my stay comped (a $700 value).

When I was in high school a friend of mine who was in our school's marching band took a band trip to Lodi, CA for an overnight competition. After noticing bullet casings on the floor and a bullet lodged in the bed did the band director reluctantly allow his roomate and him to ask for a room change.

Aren't hotel stories great?

lordmarcovan

<< <i>One time in Toronto, Canada I was upgraded to a suite in a higher floor. The only problem was that when I opened the door I interrupted an intimacy session between a man and a woman in the bed of that suite. At least the amorous couple were good sports when I apologized for disrupting their together time. >>

That happened once, in a hotel I worked in. Front Desk checked in a honeymoon couple, then, about half an hour later, checked a family of four into the same room. Mom and Dad unlocked the door and the kiddies burst into the room to check it out, only to surprise Bride and Groom, who were occupied in their honeymoon activities.

Another time, when I was a bellman, we had this sobbing young woman come traipsing down the grand staircase in the lobby, dragging the bedspread from her room behind her. Then she came up to the desk and threw the bedspread across it, where it spread open to reveal a watermelon-sized bloodstain in the lining. She sobbed, "We are checking out... NOW."

Can't say I blamed her. Sometimes "sorry" just don't cut it. (Not even, "Sorry, your entire stay with us will be comped".)

That was before my stint as a Housekeeping inspector, but I will say that I sincerely hope they looked up whoever was supposed to have cleaned that room and sacked them on the spot. The bloodstain on that comforter, though it hadn't soaked through to the front, was big enough that there is no way the room attendant could have missed it. They HAD to have knowingly made up the bed with it, which amazes me. Somebody that stupid deserves the axe.

lordmarcovan

BTW, I wouldn't worry much about sheets, pillowcases, towels, and washcloths in most hotels. The whites, in other words. That stuff gets washed with powerful detergents/bleaches and gets changed every time, except sometimes the unused, still-folded towels on the rack.

Unless the person before you was really nasty and sneaky in his nastiness, by hiding little treasures in places housekeeping might miss, you're probably okay.

I can tell some restaurant war stories that are equally disturbing, too, but I've never seen deliberate nastiness like you see in some of these expose' videos, or the movie "Waiting".

droopyd

Next time y'all should just sleep in your cars instead.

sonoranmonsoon

Now I know why my hangovers always seem worse on trips!

nesvt

Oh, we're doing hotel stories? I spent 4-5 nights a week in hotels for about ten years. Have found socks, underwear, condoms, condom wrappers, drugs, and much more between the sheets. For several months, I stayed at the same highly recognized chain... just going home on weekends. My co-workers and I decided to "mark" the sheets and pillow cases (just a small unique pen mark at one corner). The sheets were never changed over the weekend, and yes, there were other occupants in the room over the weekend. We left, but unfortunately the same happens at too many places.

EDITED:
...and before someone tells me to stop staying at Jimbo's Roach Hotel, the companies I worked for had agreements with the top chains. We only stayed at Marriott, Hilton, and Sheraton hotels.

To keep this coin related, I sometimes drop circulated Morgans in the tip jar in the breakfast area.

Steve27

I never use the glasses or coffee pot in a hotel room, and I always wash my hands after using the remote control (I might try that plastic trick from now on). Looks like a little paranoia is good.

ricko

I travel a great deal, and stay at (mostly) upper class hotels. I do check the room over completely when I arrive. I also wash the glasses before I use them. I do not drink coffee, so that is not an issue. Most rooms have been acceptable. Once in a while 'evidence' of prior activity has been detected - my room was changed immediately. Cheers, RickO

ColonialCoinUnion

My favorite experience was at a grand, upscale hotel in central London about 10 years ago.

I was standing in front of the TV about to leave when a medium-sized rat comes out of a hole near the ceiling, runs down the wall, across the carpet, between my legs and under the bed.

RichieURich

<< <i>My favorite experience was at a grand, upscale hotel in central London about 10 years ago.

I was standing in front of the TV about to leave when a medium-sized rat comes out of a hole near the ceiling, runs down the wall, across the carpet, between my legs and under the bed. >>



Well, at least the hotel was grand and upscale enough for the rat to agree to stay there!

MrEureka

Fortunately, I only spend 120 nights a year in hotel rooms.

Treeman

ahooka, where in Ohio are you? I live just West of Erie, 16 miles east of the Ohio line. I'm in Fairview, Pa.

lathmach

Last timeI went to Florida, I stayed my week at my condo time share in Indian Harbor Beach, then the rest of the time I just slept in the car, either at a Wal Mart or a highway rest area, which were always patroled by armed guards. That, on the part of Florida is good.
The condo was superb.
I was driving a full size Chevy van so it was fairly comfortable.
I had over $100,000 worth of coins with me. I kept a loaded Remington semiautomatic 30.06 rifle with me in the van.
Next time I go, I'm going to carry a pistol as well.

Ray

mgoodm3

You guys are a bunch of wusses. All this exposure to odd things is good for you. It enhances your immune system.

Coxe

<< <i>You guys are a bunch of wusses. All this exposure to odd things is good for you. It enhances your immune system. >>



LOL. Yeah, and if you want truly interesting experiences, stay at anything but the finest hotels in some foreign countries.

Louis

This should be in the open forum.

Deadhorse

<< <i>You guys are a bunch of wusses. All this exposure to odd things is good for you. It enhances your immune system. >>



What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, eh?

I've always given the GF a hard time because she packs an extra bag with linens, towels, glasses, cups and our tea and coffee presses.

Plus she always throws the comforter/duvet in the closet immediately.

The last thing I want to do when I check in is change the bed.


I think I owe her an apology.

Barry

My wife always runs water through the coffee maker into the cups before the real coffee making. It's amazing how often the water comes out some color other than clear.

OPA

This thread is depressing me. I'm surprised I'm still alive. Bring back BONGOBONGO. at least he's entertaining with full of laughs.

TrustNo1

if that doesn't get you, the bedbugs will .... .. the product of open borders as well.....

numisma

The trick with covering the remote control is to use either the plastic cover of the disposable cups or a shower cap. Works great. Also, try bringing a pair of disposable slippers, like the $1 kind you get at some discount stores. I wear them anywhere in the room, including the shower.

Edited to add: About the place that I mentioned in Chicago, I kept a pack of matches from the room for many years. Don't know where it is now, but I wish I could find it. It read, "Things are changed!" on one side and "Your satisfaction is appreciated" on the other.

PerryHall

I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles.

numisma

<< <i>I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles. >>



I am not afraid to touch door handles, I just choose not to.

PerryHall

<< <i>

<< <i>I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles. >>



I am not afraid to touch door handles, I just choose not to. >>



I guess you just wait until someone opens the door for you.

droopyd

<< <i>I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles. >>



I know someone once who got a door handle stuck in a bodily orifice. Yes, that one. (Let's just say he was a man of many unusual talents. ) They somehow managed to get the mechanism off the door to get him to the hospital for its removal.

puritan9

What about the ice bucket? Some have been known to use it as a puke bucket. I was told this by a flight attendant who refuses to us an ice bucket.

numisma

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles. >>



I am not afraid to touch door handles, I just choose not to. >>



I guess you just wait until someone opens the door for you. >>



No. Just use your sleeve or a handkerchief.

DJCoinz

That's it, I'm getting an RV.

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>I bet you guys are affraid to touch door handles. >>



I am not afraid to touch door handles, I just choose not to. >>



I guess you just wait until someone opens the door for you. >>



No. Just use your sleeve . >>



That's where he blows his nose