I agree that one must Check for bedbugs. I check every time. That is my way of Dealing With It. If I couldn't deal with the possibility of bedbugs, I'd stay home. As I said above:

"They're here; deal with them or stay home. There's no other choice, really."

I get your point, Bowsprit, but checking and preventative measures aren't enough to insure bedbugs aren't in your hotel room, in the carpet, in a restaurant or even in department stores. If you'd encountered bedbugs in your travels, you may feel quite differently. Overkill, perhaps, but ridding your body, your home and your mind of the nightmare of bedbug infestation is more than I care to deal with. Assume my NYC trip is down the tubes for the time being.

Well is looks like all of your trveleing is done - since they have been found in every continent (except Ant) and is every sizable city.

If you're going to worry about every plane, train, bus, taxi and hotel - there is no place left to go.

And who knows they aren't in the dressing room at your local mall?

I would suggest doing searches of "boutique" hotels rather than B&B's- there are very few B&Bs in NYC and I don't think they would meet 4* expectations. However, many hotel developers are converting smaller buildings into artsy little boutique hotels with interesting decor- and may be worth a little research to find one that suits your needs/tastes.

(As for bugs, they could be anywhere regardless of reputation. Frankly, if you do find you've acquired them, if you treat early and follow up a few times they're no bigger a deal than any other bug- says the bug doctor on Fresh Air)

We are staying at the Inn on 23rd in June, which is also a Fodor's preferred(?) accommodation. innon23rd.com. It's in the Chelsea district which I know isn't where you asked about.

Fingers crossed that it is as good as it looks and that we have a great time there. Breakfast is included each morning and we are there for 10 days.

nytraveler: Yes, they have indeed "been found in every continent (except Ant) and in every sizable city". So, they've been found 'everywhere' and 'anywhere'.

Daschmo: You'll eventually be housebound if you let the possibility of being exposed to bedbugs determine your travels. I'm always concerned about airborne diseases such as TB and Hepatitis flying around the movie theatre or subway but I'm not wearing a surgical mask and I'm not avoiding those places. Who knows, maybe low exposure will encourage immunities? What was the 'disease of the season' last year that caused people to wear masks? Can't even remember the name of it now. I wonder what disease we'll be talking about next year?

This isn't a disease. Bedbugs aren;t pathogens - they're insects. And people won;t become immune to them - any more than they have to mosquitos or black flies or other biting insects.

But you can check out a hotel room before you move into it.

Daschmo, at the height of my ordeal w/the bed bug bites, I thought maybe I'd take a break form traveling for awhile, that due to the amt. I travel, my number had come up. But I am going back to NYC in March. I am just going to do a very through check of the room and esp. the bed (and headboard area) before luggage goes into it and before we move into it. And that comes form someone who still has some marks from the bites. My understanding is that you CAN learn how to check the room thoroughly and find the bugs if they are there. Even whaat I went through will not stop my traveling, but it has totally motivated me to get educated and be smart about checking a room.

nytraveler: I wasn't comparing Bugs to 'bugs'. I was comparing the Panic around bedbugs to the panic that surrounded last year's health hazard in NYC.

As I said earlier: Still talking about bedbugs? yeesh. I think I've had enough and I'm never obtuse.

I'm not aware that there was a Health hazard" in NYC last year - so your post still doesn;t make sense IMHO.

Also consider the Beacon Hotel on the upper west side. Suites are available, newly renovated, great location and prices. I have a 2 bdrm/2 bath with kitchenette and living area in June for $525/night.

Really, nytraveler? I'll bet next year you'll have the same difficulty remembering any of these bedbug concerns just as you've forgotten all about last year's H1N1 scare and the questions about the efficacy of wearing a surgical mask on the subway. imho.

Puhhhleeez, Bowspirit, just chill---so you think you know better than everybody else? Fine. IMHO, your condescending comment to nytraveler is uncalled for. Thank you, nytraveler--I appreciate your interesting posts.

nytraveler was 'confused' about my post. He asked for a reminder of last year's 'crisis'. I gave it to him.

goodnight, Daschmo. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs...awww, forget it.

Glad to see it happens to others ;)

For boutique hotels, check out the Kimpton group. Join their In Touch program and sign up for their newsletter to be emailed to you. They have some really good specials and recently had a great one day sale. I loved staying at the Muse a couple of Thanksgivings ago.

Enjoy your trip!

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your bedbug attack emd3. I hope you've posted a report on tripadvisor along with any contact you've had with the hotel. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

For the record, I am well aware that changing linens daily won't solve a bedbug infestation but was pointing out to the OP that someone concerned with this issue and wanting 4* service and amenities is not going to get it at a b & b in NYC. I included a long list of boutique hotel options.

starrs..you've been affected by bug bites too? That's terrible. I hope you feel better now. ;)

And so it goes...

Indeed.

please do not worry about bed bugs. I came and had a wonderful time, and no bed bugs in sight.