bed bugs
 

Might want to check on your hotel before you go:
http://registry.bedbugs.net/country/unitedkingdom

I notice that website says little to nothing about reporting any of this to the authorities whose job it is to do something about pest control, or what follow-up there was to any individual reports.

Interesting, didn't know about that site. Look at the concentration of bedbug infestation in Paddington/Bayswater and Earl's Court.

I tried to list this as a new comment, but seems won't work..maybe too big. I made a list of new bed bug citations in London. Some hotels were listed multiple times, which means, I suppose, many sightings. You may be able to search in other cities, too with this link:'http://registry.bedbugs.net/recent.php
Can't say these are accurate, but worth looking into before you book.
1 LEXHAM GARDENS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
146 SUITES, London, United Kingdom
39 SUITES, London, United Kingdom
ABBEY ON KING, Newtown, Australia
ABC HYDE PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ABERCORN HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
ACACIA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ACTON TOWN HOTEL, W3 8HQ, United Kingdom
ADMIRAL HOTEL LONDON, London, United Kingdom
AIRWAYS HOTEL VICTORIA, London, United Kingdom
ALBANY HOTEL LONDON, London, United Kingdom
ALBRO HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
ALEXANDER HOTEL LONDON, London, United Kingdom
ALHAMBRA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
AMBASSADORS BLOOMSBURY, London, United Kingdom
AMERICANA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
APOLLO HOTEL -- BAYSWATER, London, United Kingdom
AQUARIUS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ARRAN HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ARRIVA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ARSENAL TAVERN HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
ASCOT HYDE PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ASHLEY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ASTOR COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ASTOR QUEST HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
AVIVA STUDIOS, London, United Kingdom
AVONDALE GUEST HOUSE, York, United Kingdom
BADEN-POWELL HOUSE HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
BARMY BADGER BACKPACKERS, London, United Kingdom
BARRY HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BASE2STAY HOTEL KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
BATH BACKPACKERS, Bath, United Kingdom
BEAVER HOTEL, Earls Court, United Kingdom
BELGRAVE HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BELMONT & ASTORIA HOTELS, London, United Kingdom
BELSIZE HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
BERKELEY COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BEST WESTERN DELMERE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BEST WESTERN PADDINGTON COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BEST WESTERN PHOENIX HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BEST WESTERN PLUS BIG AMERICA, Santa Maria, United States
BEST WESTERN PLUS COLUMBUS NORTH, Columbus, United States
BEST WESTERN PREMIER SHAFTESBURY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BEST WESTERN PREMIER SHAFTSBURY LONDON KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
BLADES HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BLAIR VICTORIA & TUDOR INN HO, London, United Kingdom
BLOOMSBURY PALACE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BLOSSOMS YORK, York, United Kingdom
BOKA HOTEL LTD, London, United Kingdom
BOSTON COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BOSTON MANOR HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
BRAZEN BACKPACKERS, London, United Kingdom
BREWERS INN, London, United Kingdom
BROMPTON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CAMBRIDGE GARDENS, London, United Kingdom
CARTREF HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CAVENDISH HOTEL- BLOOMSBURY, London, United Kingdom
CENTRAL HOSTEL, 26 Princes Square, London, United Kingdom
CENTRAL HOUSE HOTEL, London, United States
CENTRAL PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CHALK LANE HOTEL, Epsom, United Kingdom
CHARLOTTE GUEST HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
CHASLEY HOTEL, Wakefield, United Kingdom
CHELSEA CLOISTERS, London, United Kingdom
CHUMLEIGH LODGE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CITY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CLUB QUARTERS ST. PAUL'S, London, United Kingdom
COLLIERS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
COMFORT HOTEL FINCHLEY, London, United Kingdom
COMFORT INN KINGS CROSS, London, United Kingdom
COMFORT INN VICTORIA, London, United Kingdom
COPTHORNE TARA HOTEL LONDON KENSINGTON, London,
CORUS HOTEL HYDE PARK LONDON, London, United Kingdom
COUNTY LONDON, London, United Kingdom
CRESTFIELD HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CRICKLEWOOD LODGE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CROMWELL CROWN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
CROWNE PLAZA LONDON - KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
DAYS INN LONDON HYDE PARK, London, United Kingdom
DOLPHIN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL LONDON -TOWER OF LONDON, London, United Kingdom
DUKE OF LEINSTER HOTEL, Bayswater, United Kingdom
DURLEY HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
DYLAN EARLS COURT APARTMENTS, London, United Kingdom
DYLAN PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
EASYHOTEL LONDON VICTORIA, London, United Kingdom
EASYHOTEL PADDINGTON LONDON, London, United Kingdom
EASYHOTEL, London, United Kingdom
EDWARD LEAR HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ELIZABETH HOUSE B&B, London, United Kingdom
ELMWOOD HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
EURO HOTEL CLAPHAM, London, United Kingdom
EURO HOTEL HAMMERSMITH, London, United Kingdom
EURO HOTEL QUEENS, London, United Kingdom
EURO LODGE CLAPHAM, London, United Kingdom
EURO QUEENS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
EUROPEAN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
FLEMINGS HOTEL & APARTMENTS, London, United Kingdom
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GARDEN VIEW HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GENERATOR HOSTEL LONDON, London, United Kingdom
GEORGIAN HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GOLDERS GREEN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GOWER HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GOWER HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GRAND ROYALE LONDON HYDE PARK, London, United Kingdom
GRANGE FITZROVIA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GRANGE STRATHMORE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
GRANTLY HOTEL, 50-51 Shepherd’s Bush, London, United Kingdom,
GRESHAM HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HALLAM HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HANOVER HOTEL VICTORIA, London, United Kingdom
HENLEY HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HILTON LONDON ISLINGTON, London, United Kingdom
HILTON LONDON KENSINGTON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HILTON LONDON PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
HOGARTH EXECUTIVE ROOMS BY SHAFTESBURY, London, United Kingdom
HOLIDAY INN LONDON - BRENT CROSS, London, United Kingdom
HOLIDAY INN LONDON - MAYFAIR, London, United Kingdom
HOLIDAY VILLA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HOLLAND COURT HOTEL, Kensington Olympia, United Kingdom
HOLLINGBURY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HOLLY HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HOLMLEA GUESTHOUSE, York, United Kingdom
HOLMLEA GUESTHOUSE, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
HOSTEL 63, 63 Prince’s Square, Bayswater, London, United Kingdom,
HOSTEL 639, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL 65, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL BLUE BELLS, Kensington, United Kingdom
HOTEL CALIFORNIA, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL EARLS COURT, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL EDWARD PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL LILY LONDON - KENSINGTON-EARL'S COURT, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL MELVILLE, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL NOVOTEL LONDON EXCEL, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL OLIVER, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL OLYMPIA, 49 Earls Court Square, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL RAMA, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL RUSSELL, London, United Kingdom
HOTEL THISTLE WESTMINSTER, 49BUCKINGHAM Place Road, United Kingdom
HOTEL WESTMINSTER, London, United Kingdom
HOUSE OF WEARDOWNEY GUESTHOUSE, London, United Kingdom
HUTTONS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HYATT REGENCY LONDON - THE CHURCHILL, London, United Kingdom
HYDE PARK COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
HYDE PARK ECONOMY APARTMENTS, London, United Kingdom
HYDE PARK HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
HYDE PARK PREMIER LONDON PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
IBIS LONDON CITY, London, United Kingdom
IBIS LONDON DOCKLANDS, London, United Kingdom
IBIS LONDON EARLS COURT, London, United Kingdom
IMPERIAL HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
JESMOND HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
K+K HOTEL GEORGE, London, United Kingdom
KENSINGTON COURT HOTEL, Earls Court , London, United Kingdom
KENSINGTON TOWN HOUSE, Earls Court , London, United Kingdom
KEPPEL'S HEAD HOTEL, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
KING SOLOMON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
KINGSWAY HALL HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LA RESERVE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LANGLAND HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LEISURE INN, London, United Kingdom
LHA LONDON LTD - BOWDEN COURT, London, United Kingdom
LIDOS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LIMEGROVE HOTEL, London, United States
LINDEN HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LONDON CONTINENTAL HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LONDON EARL'S COURT YHA, London, United Kingdom
LONDON GUARDS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
LONDON MARRIOTT HOTEL KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
LONDON MARRIOTT HOTEL REGENTS PARK, 128 King Henry,
LORD JIM HOTEL, Earls Court, London, United Kingdom
MABLEDON COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
MACDONALD RANDOLPH HOTEL, Oxford, United Kingdom
MAJESTIC HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
MARBLE ARCH INN, London, United Kingdom
MARLIN APARTMENTS CANARY WHARF, London, United Kingdom
MARNE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
MAYFLOWER HOTEL & APARTMENTS, London, United Kingdom
MENTONE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
METRO HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
MILLENNIUM GLOUCESTER HOTEL LONDON KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
MILLENNIUM HOTEL LONDON KNIGHTSBRIDGE, London, United Kingdom
MY PLACE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
NAYLAND HOTEL, 134 Sussex Gardens, United Kingdom
NEW LINDEN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
NEWHAM HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
NORFOLK PLAZA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
NORMANDIE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
O'CALLAGHAN'S, London, United Kingdom
OLD GREY MARE, York, United Kingdom
OLIVER HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
OLIVER HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
OLYMPIC HOUSE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
OLYMPIC VICTORIA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
OXFORD APARTMENTS, Oxford, United Kingdom
OXFORD HOTEL LONDON, 16-18 , United Kingdom
PALACE COURT HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
PALMERS LODGE SWISS COTTAGE, London, United Kingdom
PALMERS LODGE, London, United Kingdom
PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
PAVILION HOTEL LONDON, London, United Kingdom
PEMBRIDGE PALACE HOTEL, 55 Princes Square, London, United Kingdom
PESTANA CHELSEA BRIDGE HOTEL & SPA LONDON, London, United Kingdom
PHOENIX HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
PICCADILLY BACKPACKERS HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
PLAZA HOTEL, 53 Shepherds Bush, London, United Kingdom
PREMIER HOTEL LONDON PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
PREMIER INN LONDON KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
PREMIER WEST HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
PRINCE WILLIAM HOTEL, L, United Kingdom
PURITY SPA, London, United Kingdom
QUEEN ELIZABETH CHELSEA, London, United Kingdom
QUEENS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
QUEENS PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
RADISSON EDWARDIAN KENILWORTH, London, United Kingdom
RAVNA GORA HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ROSE PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ROYAL BAYSWATER HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
ROYAL COURT APARTMENTS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ROYAL EAGLE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
RYDGES KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
SEVEN DIALS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SEYMOUR HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SHAFTESBURY HYDE PARK INTERNATIONAL, London, United Kingdom
SHAFTESBURY METROPOLIS LONDON HYDE PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SHAFTESBURY PREMIER HOTEL LONDON PADDINGTON, London, United Kingdom
SHAFTESBURY PREMIER LONDON NOTTING HILL, London, United Kingdom
SHAKESPEARE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SHERIFF INN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SIDNEY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SMART HYDE PARK INN HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
SO PADDINGTON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ST CHRISTOPHER'S INN & BELUSHI'S-HAMMERSMITH, London, United Kingdom
ST CHRISTOPHER'S SHEPHERDS BUSH, London, United Kingdom
ST DENYS HOTEL, 51 Saint Denys, London, United Kingdom
ST GILES HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ST. ATHANS HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
ST. DAVID'S HOTELS, London, United Kingdom
STRAND PALACE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
SURPRISE BACKPACKERS, London, United Kingdom
SURTEES HOTEL (LONDON) LTD, SW1V 1SB, United Kingdom
THE APOLLO HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE BELVEDERE, London, United Kingdom
THE BLAKEMORE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE COURT HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE COURT HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE COURT HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE FITZROY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE GEORGE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE GRAPEVINE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE GREAT EASTERN, London, United Kingdom
THE GRESHAM HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE HEMPEL, London, United Kingdom
THE HOXTON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE JADE, London, United Kingdom
THE LANDMARK LONDON, London, United Kingdom
THE LONSDALE HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE MONKEYS IN THE TREES, London, United Kingdom
THE OXFORD HOTEL, Earls Court, London, United Kingdom
THE PARK HOTEL VICTORIA, London, United Kingdom
THE PARK LANE SHERATON HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE QUEENS PARK HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE RE HOTEL LONDON SHOREDITCH, London, United Kingdom
THE ROYAL ALBION HOTEL, Brighton, United Kingdom
THE SAVOY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE SYCAMORE GUEST HOUSE, York, United Kingdom
THE VENTURES HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE VENTURES HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
THE WHITE FERRY HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
THE WHITE HOUSE, London, United Kingdom
THISTLE CITY BARBICAN, London, United Kingdom
THISTLE MARBLE ARCH, London, United Kingdom
THISTLE CITY BARBICAN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
TOMMY MIAH'S RAJ HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE - LONDON ILFORD GANTS HILL, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON ALDGATE EAST, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON BATTERSEA, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON CENTRAL CITY ROAD, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON COVENT GARDEN HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON DOCKLANDS, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON EUSTON, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON FARRINGDON, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON KINGS CROSS ROYAL SCOT, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE LONDON MARYLEBONE, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE WEMBLEY, London, United Kingdom
TRAVELODGE, London, United Kingdom
TROY HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
WEDGEWOOD HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
WEST 2 HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom
WEST TWO LONDON, London, United Kingdom
WESTBURY KENSINGTON, London, United Kingdom
WHITELEAF HOTEL, London, United Kingdom
YHA LONDON HOLLAND PARK, London, United Kingdom
YMCA INDIAN STUDENT HOSTEL, London, United Kingdom

I usually question sites like this, as it is possible competiting hotel managers, for business reasons, or customers who were for some other reason dissatisfied, make reports. And the opposite also applies - there could easily be a problem at hotels not listed.

are there complaints on booking.com or expedia about bugs at any or all of these hotels? [I'm discounting TA for obvious reasons].

at random I picked the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton, and looked at it on Expedia. middling to bad reviews, with one saying that there was blood on the mattress but guess what, not a bed bug in sight.

now, I'm not saying that there aren't bed bugs, but I've stayed in a number of hotels over the years, and apart from a rather dodgy place in Tunisia, I don't think I've ever met one.

In the UK bed bugs aren't endemic and when a room in a hotel has them it's generally more to do with the previous occupant than hotel cleaning policies

The SAVOY, really???

ayeaye: I'm sorry - the purpose for that looooooong list is what exactly?? :?

If you have more time on your hands you could post a much MUCH longer list for Manhattan.

The purpose? Well, I suppose to inform. I can't verify, nor can I say, as cynthia suggested, that it is complete. Probably many hotels have had bed bugs and managed to keep that information quiet. I would expect that not everyone reports infestations to the authorities or even posts that information anywhere online. All I am sure of, rightly or wrongly, is that when I go over to the UK this fall, I won't be booking at any of these hotels listed. Doesn't mean I won't find bedbugs in my room, but all I can do is take precautions...and I would hope that my fellow Fodor readers can use this information, or NOT, as they chose...that is my purpose. What is yours for asking?

You're much more likely to find evidence of previous occupants' pubic hair, nose pickings, nail clippings, dead skin and dried-up bodily fluids than bed bugs.

Oh, and watch out for the faecal organisms on the currency.
www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/se/85711.html

Enjoy your vacation.

Whilst I've never come across a bed bug I travel a lot and I wonder what you do when you wake in the morning and find you've been bitten. I don't mean the procedure for reporting but getting rid of the creatures from your body and luggage.
Not many of us have access to a boil wash function on holiday and what do you do when you arrive at your next hotel. Do you tell them that you may be carrying the creatures and risk them turning you away or do you keep quiet and leave them in the bed for someone else?
When you arrive home do you strip off on the doorstep (fun for the neighbours!) and then clean everything?
Answers relating to what your friend has told you ( on the basis that no-one will admit to this) are welcomed.

I have never seen a bed bug, and don't think I have ever been bitten by one. Most people will have been bitten by a midge or a mosquito at some time, and know what it is like. How can you tell the difference?

I did see a cockroach in the bath at the Travelodge in Butterworth, Malaysia, probably the worst place we have ever stayed. That was in 1998, at the height of the currency crisis.

All I am sure of, rightly or wrongly, is that when I go over to the UK this fall, I won't be booking at any of these hotels listed.>>

well, I'm sure that the Savoy will be gutted to miss out on your custom.

do you really trust it as a list? one way or the other?

I think it is nearly impossible to rid your belongings of bed bugs without access to hot water washer and dryer. Once you have brought them into your home, you will need a professional exterminator to get rid of them and this can run over $1000 depending on the size of your home. They have been found in over night trains, cushioned seats in any public place and in library books. It can make you paranoid but prevention is better than treatment. Never place your suitcase on the bed or directly on the floor of a hotel room.

ayeaye: my 'point' is taking the time/band width to post that incredibly long list seems silly. Posting the link might or might not be helpful. That crazy list isn't really . . .

Bed bugs have become more common recently, as they have developed immunity to some of the measures that used to be taken. ANY hotel can have an infestation, but what counts is how they handle it. In any case, just because a hotel had bed bugs (in one room? many rooms?) at one time in the past has nothing to do with whether it has them now, and a hotel who has never had them may have them tomorrow. I would only pay attention to reports that a hotel ignored a complaint.

>>do you really trust it as a list? one way or the other?<<

All the site lists is that someone (who?) reported bedbugs at some point: it's meaningless without a follow-up report of what then happened (or didn't) in the way of checking what they said, pest control or re-inspection. I don't suppose anyone would suggest it's the OP's responsibility to do so, or even that of the person who originally reports a problem, but if the site in question wants to set itself up as some sort of authoritative source of information, surely that's their fundamental responsibility: and if they don't, it's worse than useless.

Never place your suitcase on the bed or directly on the floor of a hotel room.>>

mmm - hovering in the air perhaps? not all rooms have a luggage rack and often those that do are inadequate for the task.