I'd give negative stars if I could. WARNING! Do NOT stay here! Rude management. Broken equipment. Bed bugs. Overcharges!
I stayed at this hotel for business. Was quoted a special bulk executive rate because there were several of us from the same company staying at that location. Check-in was a nightmare. Older Owner/manager was "supervising" a young gal at the desk, too her credit, was doing her best to get everyone checked in, in a timely manner. When my time came, I was checked in by the young gal with a welcoming smile and pleasant conversation. I received my room card and went to get my bags. I travel with a medical service dog (BIG German Shepherd) who is medically necessary and is with me everywhere I go. He was with me when I checked in but the older lady did not see him as she was sitting in a wheel chair behind the desk. I came back in with my dog and his food bowls and the older lady got very upset saying "No No No dog allowed!" As I mentioned during check in that I have a service animal, I reminded her that I have a medical need that he is a highly trained medical service dog and she doesn't have the option of not allowing him to stay with me in my room. The young gal interjected and said it's ok we will move you to a "pet room". I said No. I'm fine with the room you gave me. He is trained and does not potty inside nor does he sleep on furniture and i don't want to have any urine smells while I'm trying to sleep. The manager got very upset but the young lady told me it would be fine and enjoy the stay. I went to the room. Did my typical room check for cleanliness and bugs and seemed mostly adequate for the price.
AC unit in the room did not work. No power to the outlet. It wasn't overly hot and the window had a screen so I just opened the window because I didn't want to deal with the crabby old lady at the front desk.
Woke the next morning feeling itchy, thinking there must have been a hole in the screen and I must have gotten bitten by mosquitoes while sleeping. As the day progressed, much to my dismay, I discovered indeed it was NOT mosquitoes that had eaten me but BED BUGS! I was horrified. I had large swollen hot red bumps all over my head, face, neck, chest, arms and hands, which progressively got worse as the day trudged on. Itchy burning swollen lumps seemed to multiply by the minute. At my first opportunity, I called the hotel to inform them that they have a serious bed bug issue and it needs to be addressed immediately. Another co-worker of mine also experienced same issues. I was told management would call me back. No call back.
I checked my credit card statement online to verify the charges, as I was going to demand a refund when call back. Come to find out, they charged me almost DOULBE the bulk executive discount rate they quoted me that night. Not only did they double charge me, they ran it twice! I dug for my paper receipt and found it, verified the signed receipt which was the correct price I was expecting. I called the hotel back AGAIN, after several attempts and no answers. The old manager lady answered, and I knew it was her because I recognized the accent. I told her about the bed bugs and the several wrong charges made to my credit card and she yelled at me then proceeded to swear at me and said they didn't have any bed bugs then hung up on me.
I called Choice hotels as they are affiliated and made my complaint there. I reported to my credit card company the inaccurate and multiple charges. I also am making this Yelp review to warn anyone considering staying at this location. PLEASE, save yourself the hassle and go to Avoca Iowa or ANYWHERE else but here. Save yourself the hassle. *NOTE: I did NOT find the bugs themselves nor evidence of them on my pre-inspection of the room. I believe they were in the pillows as I have NO bites from the belly down to the toes. Only chest and up. That's why I posted only pictures of the bites. read more