Should we laugh or cry reading this? Everybody votes!

I say: cry out loud LOL

Sorry for resuscitating an old thread that many would prefer to see dead but I could not resist. While I do not travel with my own sheets, the thought has certainly crossed my mind as I do travel a lot for work. I've heard some horrific stories from fellow travellers and a partciularly nasty one from a friend who used to work at the Gramercy Park hotel in NYC. Re. the Gramercy (this was about 10 years ago), my friend told me that the housekeepers routinely skipped changing bedsheets between guests unless they were visibly soiled. She worked at the front desk and not infrequently dealt with angry guests who found evidence of poor housekeeping. Once fuming guest reported that he had found a used condom between the top sheet and the blanket. <p>Another friend told me about a time when he stayed at a low-star hotel in Italy (I don't remember if it was a 1-star or a 2-star) that he found a large map of blood on the bed sheet. Naturally, he complained and ended up having that hotel pay for his stay at a Holiday Inn near by.<p> From my own recent experience, I have had to call housekeeping to change the bed sheet at the Homewood Suites in downtown Chicago because of a crusty, rust-colored stain on the bed sheet. <p> I admit I am on the phobic-side but I do what I have to do for my peace of mind. For example, upon arrival at a hotel room, I turn on the a/c, remove the bedspread (and stuff it in the closet, never to use again during my stay)and turn the blankets/comforters over to "air out" the bed. I do this because we all perspire during sleep and yet hotel bedding usually gets very little airing as most people prefer to have their beds made, trapping the moisture (which can only promote the proliferation of mites, bacteria, bedbugs,etc.)

I'm baaack ....

It's been almost 2 years since I started this thread, and I still travel with my sheets. In fact, when I can do it I also travel with my down throw and 1 or 2 pillows, too.

I'm still amazed by the harsh replies. I said it before and I'll say it again: I wasn't seeking validation, I was just curious to know if anyone else does what I do. I bring all sorts of things with me to make my vacations more pleasant. I don't like sleeping on yucky hotel sheets, and I sleep very well on my own sheets, so why not take them ? Perhaps the people who challenged me are control freaks who should seek psychological counseling. Or maybe they have crappy sheets on their beds at home so they don't notice how crappy sheets the sheets are on the hotel beds. >

I see I never did respond to the presumptive posts regarding my multiple week Euro trip. Laundering the sheets was a non-issue because I used them for only 2 nights. All but one of the hotels I stayed in had lovely sheets. I can't say this has been the case for all of my trips to Europe, but that time I hit the jackpot. One hotel even had linen sheets. I normally don't take multiple week trips, so I'll address the laundering issue at the time if it ever arises. So far it hasn't.

By the way, I'm still a fan of Garnet Hill. They have very nice crisp smooth cotton sheets at reasonable prices.

As a B&B owner who has had dozens of washcloths ruined by makeup I would love those travellers who chose not to use them.

I have a few guests who travel with their own pillows, but none with their own sheets... but that would be great- less laundry for me.

And since they are already bringing half of the bed- maybe they could bring their breakfast too?

Then my place would be a BYOB&B.

Topping... just because

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting several Fodorites at the GTG in San Antonio. Marilyn told me to check out this thread, and it is indeed a hoot!! Thanks Marilyn, and thanks to you too, fussy_traveller. Not many posters ever start a thread that is so enduring.

For me personally, I have only stayed at one hotel where the sheets were unacceptable. We complained and the owners assured us they change the sheets every day. I'm sure they change the sheets, allright....from one room to the next. amp;

This thread is new to me, too, and I loved it! Now can someone tell me how to find Freaky or Normal?

Regarding travelling with sheets, it's just so much lighter to carry a box of Saran Wrap. I have my husband wrap me like a mummy, head to toe, every night. An added bonus is that I wake up 12 pounds lighter.

Freak or normal is on the USA forum, type it in the search window and it should do the trick.

But... thanks to your mummy suggestion, I'll make it easier for you:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34490489

Thanks, FainaAgain,
As my mother-in-law would say, "People!"

hi.

I am a reporter in Chicago working on a story about this topic. Looking from some Chicago-area folks I can talk to.

Thanks!

Please email me directly at [email protected]

The last time I went to England on a tour I was amazed to find that they do not give you top sheets. I am bringing one top sheet and a few face cloths on my trip... will make at least one trip to the laundromat while in Ireland.

Last year when we were in Vegas for a girls weekend, someone mentioned they always check under the mattress because people stash money there and are too drunk to remember and sometimes forget about it when they leave. Curiousity got the best of one of us and when she lifted it up, all that was there was a pair of dirty men's underwear!!! WE SCREAMED SO LOUD and got the ice tongs to remove them to hang on the door knob of our friends adjoining room. Its a story we have retold a hundred times.

Wow. Looking under the mattress. I haven't done that before. I'm going on a trip Thursday night and I know I'll have a laugh when I get to my hotel room. Should I look, or shouldn't I ????

Hello. I am a reporter working on a story about hotel bedding. I was hoping to talk to someone from Iowa about this topic. If anyone could help me out, it would be appreciated. Please email [email protected]. Thanks!

Good story CarlaM, but now we will have to start travelling with our own ice tongs!!!

I have traveled extensively in the USA and the world. I have encountered flea's, bloodly sheets, darn right dirty sheets and no sheets. Contact me if you would like more info. for a story.

My sincerest regrets go out to anyone who has had a bad experience in a hotel while traveling. I have had the personal luck of staying in honestly hundreds of excellent rooms and the misfortune of staying in at least several dozen with major problems.

As the General Manager of a hotel property for the last 5 years I have attempted whenever possible to incorporate and find solutions to not only the problems that I have encountered elsewhere but also the comments of my guests about my property and other properties at which the guest has had both good and bad experiences.

ALL sheets, towels, bedspreads, mattress pads, etc. that are used on my property are laundered and cleaned on-site by staff using processes that management can control for quality and cleanliness of output. When problems come up solutions can be developed to prevent re-occurance in basically ZERO time.

If a guest is concerned about a spot on the linens that has missed the 3 step check process of having 1 person wash/inspect/fold the linens, a 2nd person make the bed and inspect the linens, and a 3rd person inspect the overall room cleaning job AND yes a few problems can still come up. In these cases I wouldn't even argue I would appologize and be over (personally if need be) to change the sheets and correct the problem within 10 minutes...THAT IS A NO-BRAINER.

However, if a guest wishes the comfort of their own sheets that is great in my book. I have seen this come up not only because of comfort but due to allergies. Some guests over the years have been allergic to one or several items including bleach, scents, oxygen bleach or even cotton. If the guest sleeps best on their own sheets (whatever the reason) they have a better stay--and for that I am happy.

sincere,

How often do you launder the bedspreads?
8-)

Fussy are you a Yale student ?

ttt