Days Inn by Wyndham Harrisburg North

I spotted a bug crawling on my leg while sitting on the still-made bed that evening. It wouldn't die when I tried to crush it, even after I pressed it against the nightstand. I checked Google for "bed bugs" and that's what it looked like. The room also had dirt in every corner and faint stains on the white bedspread. The place felt run down and sketchy, and the gap beneath the closed door was almost wide enough for a finger. I was nervous about leaving anything in my car. I had booked without reading reviews because I confused this hotel with another one nearby where I'd stayed. The room had no microwave or fridge at first. Staff quickly brought replacements, though the first replacement fridge didn't work and they brought another later. The people I dealt with were friendly and accommodating, including when they fully refunded my three-day reservation. That's the one good thing I can say.

I should have trusted my gut at check-in. The first room they assigned was occupied, and the reception computer seemed purely decorative. After I was offered a ground-floor room and said yes, I still had to climb three flights of stairs. A gentleman from reception went off to find me somewhere I could sleep. The security monitor setup looked like a supermax prison, and at least my car was still there in the morning. The Days Inn by Wyndham in Harrisburg North reminded me of the open sewers and funeral pyres I smelled in New Delhi years ago. I thought nothing would match that, but room 324 topped it. The fridge noise barely covered other guests shouting at 04.30. At reception, a woman in pajamas was yelling about someone taking her Red Bull. I'm heading to CVS for something medicated to get the smell off and kill any passengers I may have picked up.

My friend got the room for a super cheap rate, so I expected it to be trash. For what he paid, it was fantastic, and he said he slept well too.

We left and asked for a full refund after finding a room that smelled strongly of smoke, despite the reception sign saying "100% smoke free hotel". The bathroom was disgusting, with toilet paper on the floor, an empty roll, and urine stains. Stains were all over the bedsheets too. We declined their offer of another room. The hotel refused to refund us, saying we'd been in the room for over 15 minutes. That wasn't true. A few days later, Days Inn customer "service" claimed we'd stayed more than two hours, also untrue. I suggested checking the CCTV and got no response. We only checked in late because we needed a place to stay. Avoid it. Worst hotel I've encountered in a long time, never again!