Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Raleigh

I’ve stayed here twice, and the experiences were very different. On the first visit, the room was nice, clean, and fairly comfortable, though the bed was firmer than I prefer. The broken security lock was a serious concern, but after a nine-hour drive with two young kids, we stayed for the night. I called ahead because we were running late and didn’t want to lose the reservation. The man on the phone focused on charging my card and repeated at least three more times that he was charging it, even after I agreed. It left me with a bad impression before we arrived. The employee who checked us in was a different person and very friendly. Parking was free, and there was a small free breakfast with a waffle station we liked. The one-night price was affordable, and being attached to a gas station was convenient. It’s right off the highway, in a somewhat rough neighborhood, though that wasn’t a big issue if you didn’t need to go out. After I reviewed that stay, I returned and found the customer service had improved. The second room was bigger, but the bathroom needed work: hairs in the tub and bathroom baseboard molding coming away from the walls. Breakfast was disappointing this time. The waffle mix had turned sour, so we couldn’t eat it, unlike the highlight of our previous stay.

I arrived for a stay booked through Booking.com on June 23, 2025, but left without staying because the surroundings and room felt unsafe and unhealthy. In the parking lot, several people appeared to be under the influence of drugs, which made me uncomfortable. The front desk clerk assured me all was fine, and I asked to inspect the room before checking in. What I found was filthy and unacceptable: visible roaches and bedbugs, trash, dirt, heavy dust, and stained sheets and towels. I took 16 clear photos and can provide them as evidence. I immediately left and reported the issue to Booking.com. The hotel has refused to respond or refund me despite not providing a habitable room. I’m requesting a full refund and urging Booking.com and the appropriate authorities to investigate possible serious health and safety violations, including a bedbug infestation that could put other guests at risk. I can share the photos or further details if needed.

We left immediately. There were stains on every mirrored surface, blood on the door and in the shower, and a strong urine smell. I couldn’t imagine feeling comfortable enough to sleep there, and we’re still trying to get a refund, though the booking was non-refundable. The photos bore no resemblance to the lobby or rooms. A barbed-wire fence around the hotel’s backyard was the first red flag, and the notice saying they weren’t responsible for vehicle theft was unsettling. Plenty of people were hanging around the parking lot, and I could only assume they weren’t hotel guests. The lobby door was only unlocked by the clerk, apparently for security, and inside there was an overwhelming bleach smell. I was already done, but the clerk told us we couldn’t get our money back. Just a horrible experience. Stay away.

The hotel itself was very clean, nicely kept, and had pleasant staff, but I found the surrounding area dangerous. When I arrived, six police cars were next door with officers’ weapons drawn. Later, when I left, four cars were across the street in a similar situation. At 2 a.m. the parking lot was full of people wandering around, asking for cigarettes and selling things. I wouldn’t go out after dark.