Big names still get dragged into bed bug reports.
Even upscale hotels aren’t immune to complaints about bed bugs. In numerous traveler forums and crowd-sourced registries, certain hotel chains come up repeatedly in connection with infestations. These aren’t definitive rankings, but they’re worth knowing if you travel a lot or want to stay alert.
It’s not always cleanliness that causes problems—it’s the nature of bed bugs. They hitchhike on luggage, spread fast between rooms, and thrive in high-traffic environments. Awareness is your first defense.
1. Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn frequently tops lists of hotel chains named in bed bug complaints. Travelers often cite reports on registry sites, saying they found bites, bugs, or traces in beds and upholstery. Because Holiday Inn is widespread and has many lower-cost properties, it sees heavy use—and with that, more reports emerge.
The volume of guests increases the chances of an incident even if the chain enforces strong pest protocols. In many cases, travelers say that complaints lead to room changes or cleaning, but the damage to reputation is already done, according to NIH.
2. Days Inn
Days Inn is another chain widely cited in bed bug reports. Many users of bed bug registries list Days Inn among their reports, often pointing to budget properties or older buildings where pest control may lag. The combination of low-cost operations and older infrastructure may contribute to vulnerability.
Still, many guests say that staff cooperate when alerted—offering alternative rooms or refunds. The recurring issue is prevention—not every case means neglect, but repeated complaints raise red flags to future guests, as mentioned in Outside Magazine.
3. Super 8
Super 8 appears often in bed bug tracking listings. Guests report encountering bites or signs of infestation upon arrival or overnight. Because it’s a value chain with many properties in varied conditions, inconsistencies in maintenance may allow pests to slip through.
Some reviews suggest staff responses are uneven—some offer room changes, others deny claims. That inconsistency can erode trust, especially when travelers see multiple complaints across properties in the same chain, as shared by Point me to the Plane.
4. Best Western
Best Western also shows up in multiple complaint trackers. Guests at various locations report evidence like bites, tiny blood spots on sheets, or bugs in seams. The chain’s large footprint means that even a small percentage of properties having issues leads to noticeable totals.
Some lovers of the brand point out that in many cases, the property level—not corporate policy—is the main variable. Best Western properties are often royalty-owned or franchised, which means standards can differ widely between locations.
5. Hampton Inn
Hampton Inn records in bed bug complaint logs occasionally, especially in urban or high-occupancy hotels. Because many Hampton Inns are on tight space or in converted buildings, structural vulnerabilities (cracks, wall voids) may allow pests to hide and spread.
Guests sometimes say staff were apologetic, changed rooms, or had extermination measures ready. But a single bad review often circulates quickly among frequent travelers, putting pressure on maintenance to step up.
6. Comfort Inn
Comfort Inn shows up in bed bug registries as well. Reports tend to cluster around older, budget-level properties where ongoing pest control may be underfunded or irregular. Many complaints mention peeling wallpaper, aging furniture, or adjacent infested rooms as sources.
Guests often advise extra caution—inspect mattress seams, check headboards, or ask housekeeping. In many stories, earlier signs were ignored until the problem worsened, underscoring the need for vigilance even in mid-tier brands.
7. Marriott
While more often associated with luxury, Marriott and its brands (Courtyard, Residence Inn, etc.) occasionally get bed bug mentions. Because Marriott is a huge umbrella with many property types, vulnerable locations sometimes slip through protocols.
In some cases, guests say that corporate support steps in—rooms get quarantined, treatments administered—but the incident gets widely shared online. That amplifies the brand’s exposure, even if the isolated property was the issue.
8. Hilton
Hilton properties (including DoubleTree, Hampton under Hilton umbrella) appear in bed bug complaint databases. Some reported instances include bite claims or found insects in unexpected places (like sofas or wall seams). Given Hilton’s size, a few problem properties generate attention quickly.
Many guests say Hilton staff handled complaints by relocating them or discounting stays. Some policies mandate room removal and professional inspection, but enforcement seems to vary by location.
9. Motel 6
Motel 6 is often flagged in bed bug lists. As a budget chain with many older facilities, there is more pressure to maintain buildings in good condition, which sometimes lags. Guests report bites, sightings, and infestation traces in rooms that feel worn.
Because of the chain’s price point, people may be less likely to demand inspection or move rooms immediately. That delay can let infestation spread. Yet, many guests still praise staff cooperation when the issue is raised.
10. Quality Inn
Quality Inn completes many “top 10” lists of chains cited in bed bug complaints. Guest reports often name older or urban properties—places with frequent turnover, heavy use, or high occupancy that strain pest control systems.
Often these reports accompany photos of spots or bugs on mattresses or box springs. While Quality Inn management sometimes addresses claims, repeated mentions make some travelers wary of locations in dense city zones.