Ever booked a hotel that looked great online, only to arrive and find a real-life nightmare? A massive study by Planetware analyzed nearly 8 million TripAdvisor reviews for over 9,000 hotels and found that in some U.S. cities, a bad hotel experience is practically a rite of passage.
Ready to see which cities made the list? Here are the 10 places where you might want to read the reviews very carefully before you book.
Myrtle Beach
Topping the charts is Myrtle Beach, where a shocking 1 in 5 hotel reviews (20%) is a 1- or 2-star complaint. The biggest horror story? Reviewers mentioned bed bugs over 130,000 times. While the local Chamber of Commerce dismissed the report as “click bait,” those numbers are hard to ignore.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Don’t bet on a good night’s sleep in Atlantic City. It’s right behind Myrtle Beach, with 19% of its hotel reviews falling into the “awful” category. If you thought the last city was bad, reviewers here mentioned bed bugs over 168,000 times.
One Reddit user staying at a major casino hotel reported getting “25 bites in one night,” calling it an “infestation.“
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Tied with Atlantic City at 19% bad reviews, Virginia Beach seems to have a problem with overall quality. Nearly 30,000 reviews simply called the lodging “the worst.” This isn’t a new issue, either.
A CBS News report years ago flagged local hotels for being among the “dirtiest in America,” citing mold and being generally “run down.“
Ocean City, Maryland
Another East Coast beach town makes the list. In Ocean City, 16% of hotel reviews are in the 1- or 2-star range. The pattern of seasonal resort towns struggling with upkeep and quality control is a strong one.
Wildwood, New Jersey
Just down the coast from Atlantic City, Wildwood shares some of its neighbor’s hotel woes. An entire 15% of its reviews are negative, landing it squarely in the top five.
Bakersfield, California
Leaving the beach behind, we head inland to Bakersfield, where 11% of hotel reviews are duds. This shows that the problem isn’t just limited to coastal resorts. Economic pressures in non-tourist hubs can often lead to budget motels cutting corners on maintenance and cleanliness.
Albany, New York
New York’s state capital, Albany, also struggles with hotel quality, clocking in with 10% negative reviews. Complaints in cities like this often point to outdated facilities and inconsistent service.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Tied with Albany, Shreveport also sees 10% of its hotel guests leaving disappointed. For many travelers passing through, a bad hotel can sour their entire perception of a city.
Fresno, California
Another California city makes the list. In Fresno, KAYAK mentions that 9% of hotel reviews are 1- or 2-star. Like Bakersfield, it’s a reminder that basic quality control is a challenge everywhere, not just in major tourist destinations.
Tucson, Arizona
Rounding out our list is Tucson, with 9% of its hotel reviews being negative. Reviewers have complained about everything from loud air conditioning units to feeling unsafe in certain areas with “homeless/vagrants walking around.“
Key Takeaway
Bad hotel experiences can happen anywhere, but they seem extra familiar in these ten places. Does that mean every hotel in Myrtle Beach or Atlantic City is horrible? Of course not. You might even luck out with a great stay – or as the PlanetWare study put it, “Don’t despair if you have a favorite hotel in one of these cities — you may have just found a diamond in the rough!”
In general, though, travelers should take the hint and do a bit of research before booking in these areas. Check recent reviews, maybe spend a few extra bucks on a well-rated spot, and pack a sense of humor along with your toothbrush.
That way, even if you do end up with thin walls, missing toilet paper, or an uninvited six-legged guest, you’ll be prepared – and you’ll have a story to tell (after you finish scratching those bedbug bites). Safe travels, and may your hotel horrors be few and far between!
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
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