Zac Jones, a 27-year-old traveller who values cleanliness, recently checked into a budget hotel in Blackpool for around $16 a night, only to discover that the cleanliness of the room was not up to his standards. After inspecting his room with an ultraviolet light, he found the mattress to be visibly stained and immediately fled the premises due to the shocking conditions. Jones posted a video of his discovery on TikTok, which quickly gained over 2.4 million views, with many viewers agreeing that they would not have stayed in the room either.
Despite first impressions of the budget hotel being decent, Jones quickly discovered warning signs of cleanliness issues, such as stained furniture and a subpar cupboard. However, it was not until he stripped the bed and inspected it with an ultraviolet light that he realized the extent of the filth in the room. Horrified by his findings, Jones decided to leave the hotel rather than stay in such unsanitary conditions, leading to mixed reactions from viewers on social media.
While Jones was impressed with the friendly staff and affordable price of the hotel, the cleanliness of the room ultimately forced him to leave. He noted a few cobwebs and stray hairs in the common areas but acknowledged that such issues were not as traumatizing as the condition of his room. Despite the shocking discovery, Jones did not request a refund from the hotel, as he felt the price he paid was justified. Blackpool is known for its selection of affordable small hotels, but cleanliness concerns may make some travelers think twice before booking a room.
In addition to Jones’ experience, reports have shown that hotel rooms can often be hosts to various cleanliness issues that may not be immediately visible to the naked eye. Flight attendants have been known to use hotel room coffee makers to steam and sanitize their underwear, while a hotel housekeeper shared tips on TikTok warning travelers to avoid touching in-room coffee pots. While some consider these stories to be urban legends, they serve as a reminder for travelers to be cautious when staying in hotels, even those with seemingly good reviews.
Despite the affordability and positive aspects of many budget hotels, cleanliness remains a crucial factor for travelers like Jones. His viral TikTok video shed light on the importance of inspecting hotel rooms before settling in and highlighted the potential risks of staying in accommodations with subpar cleanliness standards. While cleanliness issues in hotels may not always be visible, using tools like ultraviolet lights can help travelers like Jones make more informed decisions about their accommodations and avoid unpleasant surprises during their stay.
