Comments on: I’ll be honest with you: We have had problems with Room 202. http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/ Lex Friedman blogs here. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:50:36 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Rick http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-674133 Rick Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:03:31 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-674133 <p>I just had the same experience at Best Western Lakeside location in Kissimmee Florida last week. Thank god it was the last night of my stay there and I came home with a dozen of bedbug bites all over my arms and legs. The room was 110 and the place was poorly maintain and dirty as hell. Except they charge like a 4-star resort for $145 US a night. As soon as I got back I visited my doctor and she said I am lucky to be alive. I will never ever stay at any BEST (WORST) WESTERN again even they give me money.</p> I just had the same experience at Best Western Lakeside location in Kissimmee Florida last week.
Thank god it was the last night of my stay there and I came home with a dozen of bedbug bites all over my arms and legs. The room was 110 and the place was poorly maintain and dirty as hell. Except they charge like a 4-star resort for $145 US a night. As soon as I got back I visited my doctor and she said I am lucky to be alive. I will never ever stay at any BEST (WORST) WESTERN again even they give me money.

]]> By: Withheld http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-97242 Withheld Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:48:32 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-97242 Great story Lex. Brilliant. I knew Robert Farzam years ago and can validate that he is the biggest dipshit that has ever lived, the other members of his family coming in a close second, third, and honorable mentioned. I came upon your blog when I Googled his name and wasn't the least bit amazed at the findings. Him and his 3 brothers.. Michael, Steve, John, and the father are the biggest perverts in the world. They have all tried coming on to me and my friend's on numerous occasions. This happened years ago when I and some mutual friends frequented their home. If you really want to get a kick, Google Maurice Farzam (arrested for pimping/running a brothel at one of their other properties). Robert Farzam, the manager of the Best Western Ocean View Hotel in Santa Monica is by far the most idiotic person I have ever met. I truly believe their entire family is cursed... Great story Lex. Brilliant. I knew Robert Farzam years ago and can validate that he is the biggest dipshit that has ever lived, the other members of his family coming in a close second, third, and honorable mentioned. I came upon your blog when I Googled his name and wasn’t the least bit amazed at the findings. Him and his 3 brothers.. Michael, Steve, John, and the father are the biggest perverts in the world. They have all tried coming on to me and my friend’s on numerous occasions. This happened years ago when I and some mutual friends frequented their home. If you really want to get a kick, Google Maurice Farzam (arrested for pimping/running a brothel at one of their other properties).

Robert Farzam, the manager of the Best Western Ocean View Hotel in Santa Monica is by far the most idiotic person I have ever met. I truly believe their entire family is cursed…

]]> By: S. http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-36682 S. Thu, 17 May 2007 15:52:43 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-36682 Lex, I had bedbugs in my home for three months. Only after intense levels of stress, tons of hard work and thousands of dollars did we rid ourselves of the problem. They are freaking persistent. Thank you for sharing this story - the problem needs more exposure at the national level. You're an excellent writer and this guy is beyond belief. I am a little concerned for you, that you could have brought them home in your luggage/clothing/shoes/etc. Have you checked your suitcase and washed your clothes from the trip? Also remember that you may not react to the bites - many don't. We had bedbugs for months and my boyfriend never found a single bite - chances are, he's just not allergic. So if you, or your wife, or your daughter start waking up with itchy bumps, please seek help. The best place to start is www.bedbugger.com. Thanks again for this amazing and ridiculous story. Lex,

I had bedbugs in my home for three months. Only after intense levels of stress, tons of hard work and thousands of dollars did we rid ourselves of the problem. They are freaking persistent.

Thank you for sharing this story – the problem needs more exposure at the national level. You’re an excellent writer and this guy is beyond belief.

I am a little concerned for you, that you could have brought them home in your luggage/clothing/shoes/etc. Have you checked your suitcase and washed your clothes from the trip?

Also remember that you may not react to the bites – many don’t. We had bedbugs for months and my boyfriend never found a single bite – chances are, he’s just not allergic.

So if you, or your wife, or your daughter start waking up with itchy bumps, please seek help. The best place to start is http://www.bedbugger.com.

Thanks again for this amazing and ridiculous story.

]]> By: JRock http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-36027 JRock Wed, 16 May 2007 20:02:24 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-36027 It looks like Robert is a sheer winner!! http://santa-monica.org/atty/consumer_protection/news/2001/cao20010129.htm It looks like Robert is a sheer winner!!

http://santa-monica.org/atty/consumer_protection/news/2001/cao20010129.htm

]]> By: Yokum http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34977 Yokum Tue, 15 May 2007 04:02:49 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34977 Great reading. I hope you email the link to this post to someone at Best Western. Great reading. I hope you email the link to this post to someone at Best Western.

]]> By: alexjandro http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34714 alexjandro Mon, 14 May 2007 19:54:09 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34714 too funny....hilarious and educational all at the same time...I stay in santa monica all the time and will never stay at the breast western. too funny….hilarious and educational all at the same time…I stay in santa monica all the time and will never stay at the breast western.

]]> By: Doug Summers MS http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34608 Doug Summers MS Mon, 14 May 2007 16:30:41 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-34608 The State of California Dept of Health has published guidelines for the hotel industry. You can link to it from the www.bedbugger.com site. It is on the right sidebar of the home page. I would suggest a report to the California DOH & the state agency that regulates hotels. Really enjoyed your article. May I have permission to use the article to educate hotel management as an example of how not to handle a bed bug complaint. You might want to have a BedBugDog screen your luggage or part two may be the details of the time & money you expended trying to rid your home of bed bugs. A K9 search is the most accurate way to screen your belongings. Otherwise you need to isolate the luggage in a garbage bag and wash & dry the contents on the hottest settings. Find an experienced pest control service to treat your luggage & items that can't be washed or discard them. You can email me or go to www.BedBugDog.com to locate a K9 team. Bringing bed bugs home from a hotel stay is the classic route for transporting an infestation to your residence. Unfortunately this is a too common experience for travelers. Regulations and public exposure that bring accountability are the answer for this kind of behavior. I think your article should be required reading for hotel industry & the legislators that regulate them. Doug Summers MS The State of California Dept of Health has published guidelines for the hotel industry. You can link to it from the http://www.bedbugger.com site. It is on the right sidebar of the home page. I would suggest a report to the California DOH & the state agency that regulates hotels.

Really enjoyed your article. May I have permission to use the article to educate hotel management as an example of how not to handle a bed bug complaint.

You might want to have a BedBugDog screen your luggage or part two may be the details of the time & money you expended trying to rid your home of bed bugs. A K9 search is the most accurate way to screen your belongings.

Otherwise you need to isolate the luggage in a garbage bag and wash & dry the contents on the hottest settings. Find an experienced pest control service to treat your luggage & items that can’t be washed or discard them.

You can email me or go to http://www.BedBugDog.com to locate a K9 team. Bringing bed bugs home from a hotel stay is the classic route for transporting an infestation to your residence.

Unfortunately this is a too common experience for travelers. Regulations and public exposure that bring accountability are the answer for this kind of behavior.

I think your article should be required reading for hotel industry & the legislators that regulate them.

Doug Summers MS

]]> By: Mark http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32493 Mark Fri, 11 May 2007 16:35:23 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32493 I stayed in room 201 a month ago, and had a similar experience, though with a human-hair-filled bed rather than a bed-bug-infested one (that I saw, at least). I travel constantly for work, and this is undoubtedly the absolute worst hotel experience I've ever had. Horrible, filthy, hotel with horrible, filthy staff. I noticed a sticker covering the AAA accreditation in the hotel pamphlet, a nice indicator that this hotel wasn't doing anything to improve its image. Avoid this place at all costs, travelers! I stayed in room 201 a month ago, and had a similar experience, though with a human-hair-filled bed rather than a bed-bug-infested one (that I saw, at least). I travel constantly for work, and this is undoubtedly the absolute worst hotel experience I’ve ever had. Horrible, filthy, hotel with horrible, filthy staff. I noticed a sticker covering the AAA accreditation in the hotel pamphlet, a nice indicator that this hotel wasn’t doing anything to improve its image. Avoid this place at all costs, travelers!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32478 Jeff Fri, 11 May 2007 16:14:08 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32478 That's awesome detail...and the fact that the employees weren't foreign...amazing. That’s awesome detail…and the fact that the employees weren’t foreign…amazing.

]]> By: Consumerist http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32456 Consumerist Fri, 11 May 2007 14:52:42 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32456 <strong>A Double Dose Of Bed Bug Related Hotel Complaints...</strong> We'd been hearing that the bed bug epidemic has hit hotels, but we didn't really believe it. Then we got 2 hotel bed bug complaints in 48 hours. The first concerns the Hilton on Kearny Street in San Francisco. Oddly...... A Double Dose Of Bed Bug Related Hotel Complaints…

We’d been hearing that the bed bug epidemic has hit hotels, but we didn’t really believe it. Then we got 2 hotel bed bug complaints in 48 hours. The first concerns the Hilton on Kearny Street in San Francisco. Oddly……

]]> By: Sherri http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32038 Sherri Thu, 10 May 2007 17:15:43 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-32038 Yeechhhhhhewewewewwwwwwwbllleeeeaarrrrggggggh!!! You said it best...lol.....not sure whether to laugh or scratch....doing both :) Good job guys!! :) Yah, you should write to Best Western...they will probably give you a free room..LOL Yeechhhhhhewewewewwwwwwwbllleeeeaarrrrggggggh!!! You said it best…lol…..not sure whether to laugh or scratch….doing both :) Good job guys!! :) Yah, you should write to Best Western…they will probably give you a free room..LOL

]]> By: duckyy http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31860 duckyy Thu, 10 May 2007 06:19:33 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31860 ewww! ick!!!! gross!!! ick!!! ewwwwwwwww!!!! but i'm still dying with laughter that this moron is a manager with his record. (and i'm shocked that someone else has my name ;) ) ewww! ick!!!! gross!!! ick!!! ewwwwwwwww!!!!
but i’m still dying with laughter that this moron is a manager with his record. (and i’m shocked that someone else has my name ;) )

]]> By: Marnie http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31779 Marnie Thu, 10 May 2007 01:53:43 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31779 Ew ew ew ew ew. Yuck. And did I mention, ew? Kudos to you for keeping your calm and getting what you wanted. I digged you (dugg you?). And I hope you are planning to write a letter to the Best Western people. And also, ew. Ew ew ew ew ew. Yuck. And did I mention, ew? Kudos to you for keeping your calm and getting what you wanted. I digged you (dugg you?). And I hope you are planning to write a letter to the Best Western people. And also, ew.

]]> By: Ducky http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31747 Ducky Wed, 09 May 2007 23:55:37 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31747 WOW! What a great story! We'll hope they didn't get into your clothes. Ya done right, and you knew just what to do if Robert had pushed Anthony. And, it goes without saying, that i ***love*** your writing!! WOW! What a great story! We’ll hope they didn’t get into your clothes. Ya done right, and you knew just what to do if Robert had pushed Anthony. And, it goes without saying, that i ***love*** your writing!!

]]> By: Abi http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31746 Abi Wed, 09 May 2007 23:53:12 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31746 #1 - I am freaking dying here. Actual tears leaking from my eyes due to laughter - the huge, guffawing kind. #2 - Gross. Ewww. Gross. I warned Jeremy. I told him straight up what would happen if he went there and there were bedbugs. When he gets home he's stripping naked on the porch and only being allowed in after a thorough examination. (His suitcase will be living in the garage with the mouse he hasn't been able to catch for the past month. The thing completely cleans the food off of the trap repeatedly. lol) #3 - Gross! #1 – I am freaking dying here. Actual tears leaking from my eyes due to laughter – the huge, guffawing kind.

#2 – Gross. Ewww. Gross. I warned Jeremy. I told him straight up what would happen if he went there and there were bedbugs. When he gets home he’s stripping naked on the porch and only being allowed in after a thorough examination. (His suitcase will be living in the garage with the mouse he hasn’t been able to catch for the past month. The thing completely cleans the food off of the trap repeatedly. lol)

#3 – Gross!

]]> By: ISF http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31745 ISF Wed, 09 May 2007 23:52:08 +0000 http://www.thefriedmans.net/blog/2007/05/09/ill-be-honest-with-you-we-have-had-problems-with-room-202/#comment-31745 "Because bed bugs readily hide in small crevices, they may accompany (as stowaways) luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects when these are moved between apartments, homes and hotels." Hopefully you did not take any bed bugs along when you moved hotels and will not transport any back to New Jersey. I'm getting itchy just thinking about it. Had the hotel attempted to charge you for the second night (or day) this information "Because bed bugs and other pests may spread through cracks and holes in the walls, ceilings and floors, it is wise to inspect adjoining apartments on the same floor as well as those directly above and below." should have helped convince any squeamish person at the credit card company that your departure was justified. “Because bed bugs readily hide in small crevices, they may accompany (as stowaways) luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects when these are moved between apartments, homes and hotels.”

Hopefully you did not take any bed bugs along when you moved hotels and will not transport any back to New Jersey.

I’m getting itchy just thinking about it.

Had the hotel attempted to charge you for the second night (or day) this information

“Because bed bugs and other pests may spread through cracks and holes in the walls, ceilings and floors, it is wise to inspect adjoining apartments on the same floor as well as those directly above and below.”

should have helped convince any squeamish person at the credit card company that your departure was justified.

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