Planet Inn Backpackers, Perth, Australia

34%

We were given a room that had previously been full of bed bugs. They claimed to have had the room cleaned several times but when we arrived there we were quite suprised to see several bed bugs crawling on the mattress. Unfortunately we only noticed them after we went to bed and reazlied that something was biting us. We left that night to stay in a hotel. We were told they don't give refunds. Don't stay here. They have no concept of customer service.

Our Tourism Industry and our guests in general have now finally become aware of the scale of the bed bugs problem here in Australia. Backpackers are constantly moving from one hostel to another and they carry the bugs or their eggs with them. Even 5 star hotels have the same issue, which began after the 2000 Olympics. We had to buy a steam cleaner and develop a management plan to combat the problem. Our rooms are steamed and sprayed regularly and we respond quickly to any customer comments. We can go months without any outbreaks but then a new arrival brings in a new wave for us to fight. It is unfortunately an ongoing war and is not a poor reflection on a hostel or a hotel if they suffer an attack, only on their response to the situation. I recommend that hostels provide more educational information for their guests so that we all combat this problem together. I am sorry that you were inconvenienced. Please appreciate that we don't want these critters in this Country either!
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Lauren, from Canada ~ Jan 4 2008