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Hotels can be fantastic places that inspire you and help you forget about all your problems. That’s what happens when hoteliers and the staff all work in sync to provide the best possible service to their guests. However, this isn’t a guarantee.
There are plenty of horrid hotels out there that make Stephen King’s hotel in ‘The Shining’ seem like a picnic near the Seine in comparison. Some hotels are so bad that they’ll have you screaming, running away and thanking the heavens that you’re safe in your own bed. Bored Panda brings you this list of the creepiest, most horrible, most disgusting hotels ever that are a shining example of what not to do. Upvote the worst hotel pictures, and share your thoughts in the comments, and check out our other posts about the worst hotel fails here and here. And scroll down for our interview with Dr. Gabor Forgacs from Ryerson University as we talk to him about the hotel industry and what makes hotels stand out from the crowd.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
And This Is Why You Check The Hotel Coffee Maker Before You Use It
#2
We Have A Really Nice Hotel Room
#3
Don't Stay In A Hotel With Bedbugs
Hotels that scare away their customers often have a problem with cleanliness, elementary hygiene, while staff members don’t understand the rules of hospitality. These are just the basics that hotels need to get right, though. What makes hotels more than average, quality-wise, is a mix of small and large things that create a wholesome atmosphere.
#4
The Pool At My Hotel In Birmingham, Alabama. Yes, Those Are Toilets
#5
After A Beautiful Day At The Beach In Hawaii, My Cousin Went Back To Her Hotel Room To A Pleasant Surprise
#6
Airbnb Description Said "View Of The Main Church From The Bedroom Window". Technically It Was Not A Lie
Dr. Forgacs from Ryerson University talked to Bored Panda about hotels, hoteliers, and analyzed what hotels can do to seem unique: “It's pretty complex and one has to master a lot of moving parts in order to achieve that distinction.”
#7
My Hotel Room Has Such A Nice View! Wait A Minute
#8
I Generally Gauge The Quality Of The Hotel I'm Staying At Based On The Number Of Bite Marks On The Toilet Flusher
#9
Shower At The Hostel My Brother Is Staying At In China
“On top of the physical parts (e.g. location, size, architecture, design and furniture), the intangibles need to fall into place seamlessly and that is a tall order.”
#10
Saw This In An Elevator Today In A Hotel. Took The Stairs Back Down
#11
Found This Under The Sheets While Crawling Into Bed... Used Hair Extensions?
#12
Ah, Thanks For The Remark!
“The colors, sounds, scents plus the ambiance are all perfectly lined up: what background music is playing, what designer aroma is in the air and have toiletries scented with; the choice of fabric for carpet, curtains and upholstery; the tone and level of voice of staff as they greet guests and communicate without judging requests or behaviors, etc.,” the professor highlighted the hundred-and-one things that need to all come together to form the perfect whole.
#13
Heat Lamp Vs. Bathroom Door In My Hotel Room
#14
The Fitness Room At The Hotel I Stayed At
#15
Found This Under The Mattress In A Hotel
“Great hotels provide intuitive and highly personalized service, which cannot be done over 250 rooms capacity. If a guest meets 3-5 different faces behind the front desk each time versus always the same two, that makes a huge difference. You can only do this if your hotel is not larger than that.”
#16
It's So Humid In Nola, These Little Guys Are Growing In My Hotel Room
CrunChewy McSandybutt 5 years ago
Honestly, this is not that unusual in New Orleans. This is why none of us residents have carpet in our houses.
Sarah Panhorst 5 years ago
As I said previously, I love mushrooms, but inside is not the place for these little fellas :)
Mary Rose Kent 5 years ago
Because I’m allergic to dust and mold (so—basically—allergic to breathing), I absolutely cannot live or stay anywhere with carpeting.
Load More Replies...
Mary Rose Kent 5 years ago
Spores blow in the wind. If I’m wrong, someone will let us both know. 😁
Load More Replies...
#17
"Quality" Hotel Room. Moscow, A Month Ago
#18
Found This Waiting In The Bathroom Of My New Hotel Room
Dear Pandas, let us know what your worst memories from hotels you’ve stayed at are. Have you ever experienced anything similar to what’s shown in this list? What do you think of Dr. Forgacs’ analysis of the hotel industry? Let us know!
#19
Stayed At A Hotel For Cheap This Weekend. Wasn't Quite Prepared For This Level Of Sketch
#20
Walked Into My Hotel Room
#21
Checked In To A Hotel And Promptly Checked Out
#22
My Hotel's TV
#23
My Hotel Offers A Kettle And Glasses To Use, But Has A Folder In A Drawer With Rules. One Of Them Says You Have To Pay A Fine If You Use The Kettle
morgan jeffries 5 years ago
What is the point of providing one if you can't use it? They obviously want to catch people out and put the fine in their bill. Shifty buggers.
#24
In A Fancy Hotel Restaurant And Found This In The Mixed Nuts They Bring To Your Table While You Wait For Your Food
It's a Nexium 40 mg tablet.
Sian Edwards 5 years ago
Nexium tablets are used to treat acid reflux and similar conditions, if anybody was wondering.
#25
Flat Screen TV Mounted To An Old Box TV With Packing Tape In A Flea Bag Motel
#26
Sinkhole Just Developed In My Hotel Room
#27
The Jacuzzi At My Hotel
#28
This Is In My Hostel, Next To My Bed. Thanks For The Warning, I Guess
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago
Has to be friable at least to get into your lungs. So don’t mess with it
#29
This Toilet Wand My Friend Saw At A Hotel
#30
Apparently The Sheets In My Hotel Room Weren't Changed
#31
I Was Settling Into My Hotel Room When I Saw This Growing Out Of The Carpet
#32
I Was Told I Didn't Have Roommates In My Hotel
#33
My Hotel's Treatment Of Their Fish
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago
In their defense it looks like they have those plants that are suppose to live off the sediment in the water. Their systems are delicate especially if disturbed causing the water to cloud up until settled. But natural filtration blah blah
#34
This Is What I Saw When I Checked Into My Hotel Last Night
#35
Nothing Screams Quality Hotel Room Like A Hole In The Ceiling With A Napkin Jammed In It
#36
Do Not Flip Over Your Motel Matress
#37
This Motel 6 We Are Staying At Tonight. Needless To Say I’ll Never Book Here Again
#38
Got Excited From Far Away About The Motel Having A Swimming Pool
TheExtremeSmell 5 years ago
Kind of impressive honestly. If they really filled it in and kept it up after the dirt settled what I have to imagine a bit
#39
My Hotel Apparently Has Complimentary Dirty Underwear Service
#40
Mushrooms Growing Out Of A Door At The Hotel I Work At
#41
My Buddy Went On A Trip To Atlantic City, NJ For The Weekend And This Is What He Found Underneath The Mattress In His Room
#42
Walked Into My Hotel, And There Happened To Be A Weird Toy Hanging From The Sprinkler
#43
This Hypodermic Needle Found In The Toilet Paper Holder At My Hotel
#44
This Is The Pool At My Hotel
Add New Image
What do you think ?
nanashi 5 years ago
hotels is one of the things I would not be as frugal as I usually am, so long I will not encounter creepy s**t like these.
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
I travel about 30 weeks a year and always stay at a Marriott. Never have I had any issues like this. Courtyards are my go to but there is no free breakfast. Fairfield is a bit lower quality but typically has a fridge and microwave. Westin is great but expensive. I used to stay at Holiday Inn and found the quality of their hotels to be lower. All of these post seem to be from cheap motels or locations outside of America. You get what you pay for with hotels so don't skimp out.
Stina Kolling 5 years ago
Gonna be taking a trip for Thanksgiving. I'll keep that in mind! Thanks for the info!
Load More Replies...
Troux 5 years ago
There are definitely several severe safety concerns here, but I think a lot of it comes down to first world travelers having unrealistically high expectations for what they'll get with their money. Just by going to a low cost country, you can expect everything to be a little bit lacking - safety standards, luxury, attentiveness, even privacy. If you end up going for the cheapest option in a developing country, then a lot of what's shown here is honestly to be expected. Be prepared to make peace with these sacrifices, and hopefully you'll come back a little more grateful and understanding of what all comes along with high standards of living that we enjoy in first world countries.
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
If I pay good money for something, I expect a good product
Load More Replies...
Carson Skjerdal 5 years ago
I guess money can buy some happiness. Clearly people spent as little money as possible on their nights stay.
Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
being housekeeper for years. i literally check my hotel rooms before we do anything. bathrooms toilets everything i check..
Jennifer Erdossy 5 years ago
Never will I ever again complain about the cost of a decent hotel. Wow.
Jessica Cifelli 5 years ago
The amount of hotels that have mushrooms growing out of the floors and walls is crazy to me.
Ella Blackwood 5 years ago
I don't think I am going to eat again for a week. That was truly disgusting.
Cassie 5 years ago
Anytime you stay at a hotel or motel, especially a low cost one, do not blindly reach into anywhere. Addicts and diabetics stay in hotels, too, and they often don't take proper care of their syringes (especially the addicts, but I've seen plenty of poor handling of needles among "regular" people who need them for medical reasons). Don't think they just toss them on a floor or in a corner, either. Some addicts will tuck needles into really strange places for whatever reason and, since they can't keep up with their bills, they often bounce from seedy hotel to seedy hotel when they get evicted from wherever they had been calling home due to missed payments or bad behavior.
Nat Monzo 5 years ago
What is with the abhorrent amount of fungi growing in these hotels? So strange...
Shawn Ruester 5 years ago
Could be in high humidity climates where mushrooms grow easily.
Load More Replies...
Anna Bertane 5 years ago
Damn! I'm about to travel to Italy for business for the first time in my life.. Now I'm afraid...
Jack Hunter 4 years ago
Such a nice blog where people get to know about the reality and usually people book a stay after reviewing sites so this blog will be helpful for people to choose a good property for their stay and it is really appreciated that they come with the reality and clear picture. They offer same information here Foreshoremotorlodge.co.nz, one must check them also.
misteriosa 5 years ago
September 2003, senior year schooltrip to Spain, and on the way back we had to spend a night in Umag, Croatia. Yellow damp cracked walls, dirt and bugs, worms on 3rd floor (!), broken window, no warm water (almost no water at all), spider web all over the place and a huuuuge spider with thick black legs in the bathroom. Only the bravest ones slept through the night, the rest of us were hanging out in the hallway and out front (I didn't want to go inside one more time, so in the morning my friends had to get my stuff). BUT, the food was the best we had during the whole travel.
Troy Currie 5 years ago
The hotels can't pat down every single guest or go through the luggage for drugs. Everyone saying "RUN" needs to just chill out and quit acting like scared freaking Liberals. Report it and have them put you into another room if possible or just get the room cleaned again... maybe get a complimentary stay or something. If it's just plain NASTY, then leave and cancel the charge on your credit card.
ADDYSON DAVIES 5 years ago
I actually have never had issues with hotels but I always check for bad stuff I usually stay at Hilton or doubletree or Marriott if ur American try that and a tip don’t go to motels they nasty as f**k
Katrina Brown 5 years ago
For those people who are saying this stuff only happens 'outside the states' and if onlyif you 'skimp out' on $ for a hotel, thats bullcrap. I stayed in a hotel in Billings MT that cost more than the nice mariott we stayed in a different city, amd it was a nightmare like this. We found hair in the towels, the bathrooms obviously hadnt been cleaned, beer cans under the bed, etc. It was the sketchiest most outrageously priced craphole. It happens in the states too folks. And for high prices. We were pretty pissed.
Adria Rhodes 5 years ago
The Stanley Estes Park Hotel, the Shining hotel, is absolutely gorgeous. Just to be fair.
Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
i was working at hotel as maid.. and bunch of us maids went to head of housekeeping. told them there was maid was just making up beds didnt strip dirty sheets nothin.. oh yea she 1 of best housekeeper we have here. 1 weekend we had full house no rooms available. week before we had alot of rain. some of our rooms was flooded out of service.. well 1 night i got phone call to my room at 1am n morning. front desk lady wanted see me asap right now. i had get dressed n went down there. see u n my office. she came n office n asked who had that room i went looked. it was that housekeeper who didnt strip dirty sheets off beds. that was last room available. it had reservation for that room. lady checked in with husband n children. climbed in bed. it was soaked. THERE WAS PUKE IN THE BED UNDER THE COVERS.. she didnt strip the dirty sheets with puke. just made bed up. THEY DIDNT FIRE THAT HOUSEKEEPER EITHER. THEY KEPT HER.long story they filed bankrupt closed doors...
Serena Larsen 5 years ago
At the hotel I went to in Colorado, it was fine but the bathroom door wasnt frosted enough.
Living_Shadow 5 years ago
Fun fact; Researches decided to test the quality of many different hotel beds and they found traces of either urine and semen in every single one
Cindy Snow 5 years ago
I think most of these are in Europe. At least I hope so! The NJ syringes though...
Elke Bechtoldt 5 years ago
Where are you from? I live in Europe and travelled a lot here. Never experienced any of this here. Even in small hostels...
Load More Replies... Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
we had lay who didnt strip dirty sheets off vacant rooms. we all complained about it. well my kids n i ewas staying at hotel i worked at. we was booked solid. rooms was out of service we had fllood week before. but we had 1 room leftf ffor reservation come in. 1am they showed up checked in. they went to room. phpne call front desk wanted see me asap. asked who had that room. same lady did strip beds. the lady tucked her kids in bed there was puke n the bed. the lady didnt change linning. she crawled n puke.. they didnt fire the lady. but company filed for bankrupt n closed up doors. about 2 months later
nanashi 5 years ago
hotels is one of the things I would not be as frugal as I usually am, so long I will not encounter creepy s**t like these.
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
I travel about 30 weeks a year and always stay at a Marriott. Never have I had any issues like this. Courtyards are my go to but there is no free breakfast. Fairfield is a bit lower quality but typically has a fridge and microwave. Westin is great but expensive. I used to stay at Holiday Inn and found the quality of their hotels to be lower. All of these post seem to be from cheap motels or locations outside of America. You get what you pay for with hotels so don't skimp out.
Stina Kolling 5 years ago
Gonna be taking a trip for Thanksgiving. I'll keep that in mind! Thanks for the info!
Load More Replies... Troux 5 years ago
There are definitely several severe safety concerns here, but I think a lot of it comes down to first world travelers having unrealistically high expectations for what they'll get with their money. Just by going to a low cost country, you can expect everything to be a little bit lacking - safety standards, luxury, attentiveness, even privacy. If you end up going for the cheapest option in a developing country, then a lot of what's shown here is honestly to be expected. Be prepared to make peace with these sacrifices, and hopefully you'll come back a little more grateful and understanding of what all comes along with high standards of living that we enjoy in first world countries.
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
If I pay good money for something, I expect a good product
Load More Replies... Carson Skjerdal 5 years ago
I guess money can buy some happiness. Clearly people spent as little money as possible on their nights stay.
Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
being housekeeper for years. i literally check my hotel rooms before we do anything. bathrooms toilets everything i check..
Jennifer Erdossy 5 years ago
Never will I ever again complain about the cost of a decent hotel. Wow.
Jessica Cifelli 5 years ago
The amount of hotels that have mushrooms growing out of the floors and walls is crazy to me.
Ella Blackwood 5 years ago
I don't think I am going to eat again for a week. That was truly disgusting.
Cassie 5 years ago
Anytime you stay at a hotel or motel, especially a low cost one, do not blindly reach into anywhere. Addicts and diabetics stay in hotels, too, and they often don't take proper care of their syringes (especially the addicts, but I've seen plenty of poor handling of needles among "regular" people who need them for medical reasons). Don't think they just toss them on a floor or in a corner, either. Some addicts will tuck needles into really strange places for whatever reason and, since they can't keep up with their bills, they often bounce from seedy hotel to seedy hotel when they get evicted from wherever they had been calling home due to missed payments or bad behavior.
Nat Monzo 5 years ago
What is with the abhorrent amount of fungi growing in these hotels? So strange...
Shawn Ruester 5 years ago
Could be in high humidity climates where mushrooms grow easily.
Load More Replies... Anna Bertane 5 years ago
Damn! I'm about to travel to Italy for business for the first time in my life.. Now I'm afraid...
Jack Hunter 4 years ago
Such a nice blog where people get to know about the reality and usually people book a stay after reviewing sites so this blog will be helpful for people to choose a good property for their stay and it is really appreciated that they come with the reality and clear picture. They offer same information here Foreshoremotorlodge.co.nz, one must check them also.
misteriosa 5 years ago
September 2003, senior year schooltrip to Spain, and on the way back we had to spend a night in Umag, Croatia. Yellow damp cracked walls, dirt and bugs, worms on 3rd floor (!), broken window, no warm water (almost no water at all), spider web all over the place and a huuuuge spider with thick black legs in the bathroom. Only the bravest ones slept through the night, the rest of us were hanging out in the hallway and out front (I didn't want to go inside one more time, so in the morning my friends had to get my stuff). BUT, the food was the best we had during the whole travel.
Troy Currie 5 years ago
The hotels can't pat down every single guest or go through the luggage for drugs. Everyone saying "RUN" needs to just chill out and quit acting like scared freaking Liberals. Report it and have them put you into another room if possible or just get the room cleaned again... maybe get a complimentary stay or something. If it's just plain NASTY, then leave and cancel the charge on your credit card.
ADDYSON DAVIES 5 years ago
I actually have never had issues with hotels but I always check for bad stuff I usually stay at Hilton or doubletree or Marriott if ur American try that and a tip don’t go to motels they nasty as f**k
Katrina Brown 5 years ago
For those people who are saying this stuff only happens 'outside the states' and if onlyif you 'skimp out' on $ for a hotel, thats bullcrap. I stayed in a hotel in Billings MT that cost more than the nice mariott we stayed in a different city, amd it was a nightmare like this. We found hair in the towels, the bathrooms obviously hadnt been cleaned, beer cans under the bed, etc. It was the sketchiest most outrageously priced craphole. It happens in the states too folks. And for high prices. We were pretty pissed.
Adria Rhodes 5 years ago
The Stanley Estes Park Hotel, the Shining hotel, is absolutely gorgeous. Just to be fair.
Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
i was working at hotel as maid.. and bunch of us maids went to head of housekeeping. told them there was maid was just making up beds didnt strip dirty sheets nothin.. oh yea she 1 of best housekeeper we have here. 1 weekend we had full house no rooms available. week before we had alot of rain. some of our rooms was flooded out of service.. well 1 night i got phone call to my room at 1am n morning. front desk lady wanted see me asap right now. i had get dressed n went down there. see u n my office. she came n office n asked who had that room i went looked. it was that housekeeper who didnt strip dirty sheets off beds. that was last room available. it had reservation for that room. lady checked in with husband n children. climbed in bed. it was soaked. THERE WAS PUKE IN THE BED UNDER THE COVERS.. she didnt strip the dirty sheets with puke. just made bed up. THEY DIDNT FIRE THAT HOUSEKEEPER EITHER. THEY KEPT HER.long story they filed bankrupt closed doors...
Serena Larsen 5 years ago
At the hotel I went to in Colorado, it was fine but the bathroom door wasnt frosted enough.
Living_Shadow 5 years ago
Fun fact; Researches decided to test the quality of many different hotel beds and they found traces of either urine and semen in every single one
Cindy Snow 5 years ago
I think most of these are in Europe. At least I hope so! The NJ syringes though...
Elke Bechtoldt 5 years ago
Where are you from? I live in Europe and travelled a lot here. Never experienced any of this here. Even in small hostels...
Load More Replies... Jennifer Czarnik 5 years ago
we had lay who didnt strip dirty sheets off vacant rooms. we all complained about it. well my kids n i ewas staying at hotel i worked at. we was booked solid. rooms was out of service we had fllood week before. but we had 1 room leftf ffor reservation come in. 1am they showed up checked in. they went to room. phpne call front desk wanted see me asap. asked who had that room. same lady did strip beds. the lady tucked her kids in bed there was puke n the bed. the lady didnt change linning. she crawled n puke.. they didnt fire the lady. but company filed for bankrupt n closed up doors. about 2 months later
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