My last straw with Hilton: Bed Bugs, Troy Michigan

I have a job which requires me to live in hotels for long periods of time so I have been a diamond member for years and I was very close to being a diamond reserve member.

Until last night.

When I first checked-in around 8:30 pm I wasn't greeted politely or with my hilton diamond bag but I just let it go. It happens often. No big deal.

Then I get to my room which proves to be a disappointment. I booked a premium suite which was supposed to have upgraded amenities. It did not.

So I called down to the front desk to inquire and during the conversation asked to be put in a cheaper room that would better suite my needs for my 3 month stay. The front desk agent seems frustrated but accommodating since i'm still paying the full rate for the cheaper room.

As I go back down for my new keys, he sarcastically comments "You'll have a shorter walk now". I reply that it was never about the distance of the room, but the type of room I was in.

I get to this second room and strangely all the cabinets and drawers are open as if they were being inspected. I'm a little leery but figure maybe the cleaning staff let them open on accident.

For years a mentor of mine has advised me to always check the mattresses of a room for bed bugs before bringing any luggage into the room. For the first time, there a giant bed bug sitting on the mattress. I didn't even need to check the corners or folds.

The bug moved. I gave a little yell and ran.

Panicking, I go back to the front desk and inform him of the bed bugs and he is both unsurprised and unmoved. His reply being "Huh. You want another room?" When I get to the new room there's a giant blood stain on the mattress.

So I called the diamond desk to figure out what's going on, best next steps etc.

Diamond desk is zero help. She gives a half-assed apology and tells me there's not much she can do.

As I am leaving, the front desk agent is cheerfully greeting a group of 5, giving them their gift bags and thank them for being gold members. I know it's a silly thing to be hurt about but that pushed me over the edge.

I have a loyal hilton member for years both personally and professionally for years. My family and in-laws stay with hilton because of how much I love hilton.

But the callousness with which they treated a bed beg infestation and my potential exposure was disconcerting. I'm safely in a new space and i've canceled all possible reservations with hilton, but I want others to know about this experience so they can stay safe.

Happy to DM exact location if needed