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When travelers book a hotel room, they expect at least the bare minimum: a clean bed, a functioning bathroom, and a space that doesn’t feel like it’s been abandoned to the elements. Yet, time and again, horror stories surface online—moldy showers, stained linens, bugs crawling across mattresses—leaving some guests vowing never to return. While every hotel can have a bad day or an off room, certain chains seem to pop up repeatedly in guest complaints.
From neglected housekeeping to suspicious smells that won’t fade, these brands have developed reputations that no loyalty points can clean up.
1. Motel 6
Originally launched as a no-frills, budget-friendly stop for road-trippers, Motel 6 has seen its name become almost synonymous with subpar conditions in some locations. While the chain boasts affordability, many guests report encountering stained sheets, sticky floors, and the lingering scent of smoke in non-smoking rooms.
Complaints frequently mention indifferent staff responses to cleanliness issues, as if grime were part of the standard package. Online reviews are littered with photos of hair in bathtubs, mildew in showers, and bedspreads that look decades past retirement. Although some locations are better maintained, the brand’s inconsistent quality control leaves too many guests regretting their stay.
2. Days Inn
Once a staple of family road trips and convenient overnights, Days Inn has suffered a slide in reputation due to persistent cleanliness issues across various properties. Guests often describe dirty carpets, dusty furniture, and bathrooms that appear to have skipped several rounds of housekeeping. Several travelers say they felt uneasy pulling back the sheets, only to find suspicious stains or unwashed linens. The chain’s aging buildings and limited renovations add to the sense of neglect, making even short stays feel too long. Despite its broad presence and tempting price points, the negative buzz around cleanliness has pushed many former loyalists to look elsewhere.
3. Howard Johnson by Wyndham
Howard Johnson, a brand that once held nostalgic value for travelers, has struggled to maintain its former glory. Guests repeatedly report encountering rundown conditions, with moldy walls, broken fixtures, and dirty towels making appearances in more than a few online reviews. A major complaint is the inconsistency between advertised photos and the actual condition of rooms, leading to a jarring check-in experience. Some travelers mention encountering pests—ranging from ants to bedbugs—adding an element of horror to what should be a peaceful stay. For a brand under the Wyndham umbrella, the lack of standardization in cleanliness is a major disappointment for many.
4. Americas Best Value Inn
This chain promises low-cost lodging, but according to many guests, that savings comes at the expense of basic hygiene and comfort. Common complaints include unvacuumed floors, hair in the sinks, and suspicious odors that hang heavy in the air. Travelers frequently highlight the lack of regular housekeeping and poorly trained staff who either ignore concerns or brush them off.
Some locations reportedly fail to provide clean towels or even functioning locks, making guests feel both uncomfortable and unsafe. While not every property is problematic, the number of negative experiences makes this chain a risky bet for cleanliness-conscious travelers.
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5. Red Carpet Inn
Red Carpet Inn markets itself as an affordable option for those seeking a simple stay, but guests often report that what they get is far from welcoming. From cigarette burns on furniture to cracked bathroom tiles and grimy tubs, the conditions in some of these hotels leave a lot to be desired. Online reviews detail dusty headboards, stained curtains, and the occasional unwelcome critter scurrying across the floor. Several travelers express shock at the lack of visible effort to maintain even basic standards of hygiene. The brand’s patchy maintenance and dated decor contribute to an overall experience many wish they could forget.
Nothing Is More Important Than Cleanliness
No hotel chain is immune to the occasional bad review, but when cleanliness complaints become a pattern, travelers start to take notice—and avoid. The five chains above have seen their reputations dragged through the dirt, not just by one-off visitors, but by a chorus of frustrated, disappointed, and sometimes disgusted guests. While budget-friendly rates can be tempting, many find that a cheap night’s sleep isn’t worth sacrificing basic hygiene and comfort. Hotel chains that fail to prioritize cleanliness risk more than just bad press—they risk losing the trust of every traveler who walks through their doors.
Have you stayed in one of these hotel chains and had a bad experience—or perhaps found a hidden gem in a location others wrote off? Add your thoughts or comment below and share your story with fellow travelers.
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