Ruskin Inn Tampa-Sun City Center

The staff were amazing, friendly, and helpful, and housekeeping was consistent. The beds were comfortable, the AC in room 109 worked really well, and the hotel is near plenty of stores and restaurants, including Walmart and Publix. You can also buy drinks and water at the front desk if you don't want to walk or drive to the store next door. There were several problems, though. The first floor smelled of old mops, dogs, and urine. We only stayed on that floor, so I can't say what the others were like. Room 109 and the hallway had roaches: we killed three in our room and two right outside our door. There were also lots of ants outside. Something happened at the pool, and people were screaming in the hallway. The vending machine didn't work, the website wasn't fully secure, and the lock on room 109 should be replaced.

After we checked out, the owner charged my card extra, claiming we'd had an animal when we hadn't. When I asked for proof, he said there were no cameras and kept hanging up on me. This hotel can't be trusted.

I expected a decent extended stay at Ruskin Inn, especially with Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn next door, but this has been one of my worst hotel stays. I've only been here two nights and won't stay for the rest of my booking. I asked to get a refund for the remaining nights, but management refused, saying the owner wouldn't allow it. They offered another cleaning or a different room, neither of which fixes the sanitation and infestation problems. I've filed a health department complaint, and I'd strongly advise people to avoid this hotel. The lobby has a box of laminate flooring that makes it look like renovations are happening, but the room was filthy and full of roaches. I've seen four so far, and they scatter whenever I turn on the hair dryer. There's mold on the bathroom ceiling, shower head, and tub, and the fixtures are rusty. Even the ironing board was dirty. The whole place smells of pet urine. The linens look clean, but smell like cats and dogs, so I had to burn a candle to make the room bearable. After my first night I reported the bugs and asked for cleaning. When I came back, the bathroom seemed to have been touched up, but the bed hadn't been made and the smell was still awful. This place feels unsanitary, poorly managed, and unsafe.

It's a convenient spot, just off the highway and close to everywhere I need to go when visiting family. I've stayed here for a few years, ever since it first opened, and it's always been clean, bright, and nice, with plenty of hot coffee and a decent breakfast. The staff are always really friendly, which I love. Being greeted with a smile after a long trip is priceless. Definitely recommend it.