My husband and I are looking for a hotel in Paris and Rome for May and we want to be cautious about bed bugs. We would like to spend under 200 Euros per night and a convenient location to tourist sites is important. We understand bed bugs can appear at all types of hotels, but "more expensive" hotels may be more motivated to completely take care of any issues that guests notify them of rather than only cleaning sheets, etc. We read reviews about bed bugs in Paris hotels in 2010 so we just wanted to see if anyone had any tips on avoiding hotels with possible issues. Thanks in advance for any helpful information!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
If you want to be cautious about bedbugs then besides the good advice to read recent reviews on hotel(I use tripadvisor.com) learn what to look for when you check into a room. They can literally have been a bed bug free hotel one week, then not the next,, simply put, its us the tourists that bring them in! Learning how to check your bedding, and knowing what to look for is important,, so that you are not freaking out over a small beatle or something( some people have no clue what a bed bug even looks like, or more importantly the little tell tale clues) There are great beg bug website that have photos. I have never encountered them in decades of travel,, and I stay in places under 200 euros a night, often under 100 euros. I have read reviews and articles that claim the States has a horrible bed bug isssue, and I have also read reviews for RESTAURANTS in Honolulu that had them in the upolstered booths,, so never mind the geography of where you are looking, Rome, Paris or Austin,, instead, look for a hotel you like, in an area you like, for a price you are comfortable with,, then read reviews,, then book and relax. Check room once you arrive, then forget about it. I personally keep my suitcase off the floor, but hey, perhaps I am too cautious. They do happen,, but not as often as you fear.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I don't think the problem is nearly as common as some people and the media make you think. I'd say the best way to confirm a hotel has no bug issue is to check tripadvisor (or other similar user feedback site). If recent guests have had issues, they will for sure post it. Otherwise, you are good to go.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
Douglas is right...people will write about it on TA if there's a problem, but that's no guarantee, of course. I don't know about your theory regarding expensive hotels being more motivated to eradicate a potential bed bug infestation. Even the most expensive hotels have had issues (e.g. Waldorf-Astoria). One might suggest a top-rated but less expensive B&B with excellent ownership/management where the owner lives right there at the house might be more motivated to eradicate a problem. Their livelihood depends on good TA and other reviews...can't afford to have reviews with bedbugs. And they probably don't want bed bugs moving into their own personal room. I don't know, if I had bed bugs in my own home, I would be extremely motivated to get rid of them ex post facto. The larger the organization (or corporation if you prefer), it seems the less likely you are to find someone who cares as much as an owner would. Anyway, there are no guarantees, so use TA and hope for the best. BTW, the bed bug problem is everywhere...just had a story about something like 76 U of Iowa dorm rooms infested somehow during holiday break while the kids were away...nasty stuff.