I was traveling along a major route & as usual there's always prostitute & drug activity on the fringes, but I rejected several rooms at newer name brand chain motels because I noticed maids rooms being used at night with adjoining rooms that appeared to have holes near plumbing, electrical fixtures & such that may be used not only for just peeping - but for watching people to take advantage, rob etc. So, far I've seen this in about 3 different places what the hell is going on.

I'm going to notify the franchises or parent companies, but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed such activity.

Not a very ATS subject, but I won't be bitchy...

It would'nt surprise me that the mob is behind many hotel chains in the US, since the Russian and Bulgarian mafia is behind all hotel networks in Eastern Europe and some in Western Europe. They might have easily infiltrated the market here, or perhaps it's the Italian mafia. The other possibility is that NSA or FBI has been using these hotels to evesdrop citizens, for criminal investigations or just for KGB-like public spying.

In either case, I think next time you get in a hotel like these, inspect the rooms and bark at the hotel manager about these issues so they should watch themselves.

[edit on 23/12/05 by Echtelion]

[edit on 23/12/05 by Echtelion]

I work at a Best Western and thats one of the most rediculous things I ever heard. In our magic age of cell phones and e-mail the "MAN" doesn't need to spy on you in your hotel. I am sure he can dig enough dirt to arrest almost every one of us here at ATS based on phone calls and internet activity. The mob is pretty fazed out here in the US too. Stop watching so many movies. Casino and Goodfellas are a couple that signified the end of mob rule in US politics and economics.

I realize it doesn't happen everywhere DA. I didn't know where to post this and figured they could move it if they wanted to.

In my last situation I came in late and tired. They put me next to what I thought was a kids party. After hearing some of the conversation it was apparent that something more was going on. There was a revolving door (traffic) with young men coming every 15 min or so with someone letting them in the back door. I heard a young woman talking & they said you’re not through yet. I thought I could deal with it, but then when I sat down to do my biz - I noticed larger than normal gaps between the walls and the plumbing & such in the bathroom next to the "party room". Thus I asked for another room.

The next room I was given was next to a maids or maintenance closet and I heard some conversation and I grabbed the door knob like I was going to enter & then I heard bunch of movement and a voice saying "lets get outta here". I then asked for another room & they put me in one with a hatch in the ceiling. Then I proceeded to tell the guy either give me a room that's not next to maids closets & doesn’t have holes in the walls or a party going on.

He gave me a room that almost met my criteria except for one or two unknown holes in the wall, which I covered up. As I was opening my door I heard a male voice say there's one guy & I said yea "one big guy" and closed the door.

Later when I saw them I would guess that they were late teens to thirty well dressed some Asian & one clearly with a Russian accent.

Then I had to go down two floors to get ice & sure enough I heard doors close as soon as I got back up on the floor. It's hard to say if they got any info off cards, but I did leave my wallet there for that period of time.

Another hotel put me next to one of those closets & I thought I heard something there as well, but I didn't investigate further. Of course early in the morning you get woke up by the maids filling their carts. Also I was put by a soda machine with a motion detector that lit up the room through the gap between the floor & the door.

Another hotel I left my room to go out to eat & when I returned I noticed the weather-stripping under the door was mysteriously missing. I promptly left.

If certain places allow any of these type of activites to take place, it's our job to get the word out & not support them with our business.

[edit on 23-12-2005 by outsider]

[edit on 23-12-2005 by outsider]

What kind of hotels are you ataying at? I would love to her the name brands. I have worked in security in major brand-name hotels my whole life and I assure you it would be an extremely isolated incident for something like what you describe to go on unnoticed and uncoorected by management.

Not to say that it does not happen, but the instances are EXTREMELY few and far between.

There have been numerous lawsuits throughout the years regarding "peeping" and privacy in hotel rooms, and all the major brands have taked EXTENSIVE steps to assure this does not happen.

Spaces between the plumbing and the walls? Sounds like a dump. These sort of things are repaired immediately in name-brand hotels.

Russians? Chinease Mob? Stop watching so many movies. This can be solved by staying in a GOOD hotel. I work in a two star Best Western in a small city in Michigan and I assure you any holes in the walls of a nice hotel get fixed right away. Its a cutthroat business and nicer hotels bend over backwards to amaze the guests with the little money they have. A hole in the wall is a cheap eyesore to fix. Same with weather stripping under the door. Or maybe I am wrong...get some mace, and a stungun. The number one offense is a good defense...

I didn't give any names because I don't own this site. I don't recall ever saying it was any kind of mob - Probably isolated local thugs.

Here's the initials of two. CI & TL.

Originally posted by outsider
I didn't give any names because I don't own this site. I don't recall ever saying it was any kind of mob - Probably isolated local thugs.

Here's the initials of two. CI & TL.

Because you don't own the site is precisely why you CAN post the brand names of these hotel chains. You cannot be sued because you are not an owner and the owners can't be sued because they did not post it, you did.

"CI" could be either Comfort Inn or Clarion Inn, both of which, while nationally recognized name brands, are the absolute lowest level hotel there (not even half a star). I have no idea what you mean by "TL".

Ludicrous.

My mother is the Supervisor for a Marriot chain here in Allentown, PA. (Hey, I'm not afraid to say it, am I?). She has to go through bi-annual inspections given by the state. All rooms must pass a very critical list of demands, such as:

No cracks, holes, or other detrimental appearances in the walls, ceiling, wallpaper, or paint.

No mold, mildew or other fungus in any of the crevices of the molding in the bathroom.

No streaks on the mirrors or chrome.

No stains, tears or otherwise threadbare apprearance of linens.

No bodily fluid residue (confirmed with blacklight on surfaces and linens).

This is a small part of the list she must adhere to in order for the hotel to retain their rating. Anything less is simply unacceptable.

If you can't deal with the common roach motels you seem to deviate to, I would cough up a bit more cash and stay at a quality hotel.


EDIT: to add the following:

There are also signs posted, and the "contract" that you sign stipulates that any illegal or illicit activity will not be tolerated at the risk of you losing your room without reimbursement. Quality chains also allow the client to complain about noise, and usually will transfer you if possible to a quieter section. Barring that, they will personally go to the offender's room and either warn them will a call to the local police, or throw them out.


[edit on 31-12-2005 by Rouschkateer]

EDIT: spelling, dang it.

[edit on 31-12-2005 by Rouschkateer]

sounds like to me the members of fight club need a new hotel to stay in....looks like you've found them out....first day in fight club, you must fight

Originally posted by craig732
Comfort Inn or Clarion Inn, both of which, while nationally recognized name brands, are the absolute lowest level hotel there (not even half a star).

It was the Comfort Inn, but the outword appearence & lobby looked fine. The other was Travellodge.

As I was looking for a rest stop while driving there wasn't much choice at the time or I would have been a hazard going further on the highway. I suppose next time I have to plan better instead of just pulling off the highway as soon as I get tired.

I don't mind paying a few more bucks if I get something better - thanks for the advice.



I guess the point is I had expected that a recognized chain that has a clean outward appearence & nice signage visible from the freeway/highway should be a clean & safe area to rest at.

The only time I ever have payed attention to the stars is when I was at a destination area. I guess now I have to do the same for all road trips as well, but unfortunately you don't always have much choice.

I conclude that the only way to change things is talk about it enough where they will pay attention or lose business.




[edit on 1-1-2006 by outsider]

Originally posted by Kingalbrect79
sounds like to me the members of fight club need a new hotel to stay in....looks like you've found them out....first day in fight club, you must fight

Fighting is for kids - or adults with the minds of kids.

I only fight to survive and at that point all fights lead to destruction - fight me and I will destroy all you know. (just like a kid)

[edit on 1-1-2006 by outsider]

Also be assured that if the franchise companies get several complaints about the same thing going on it is very likely they will send an inspector to check things out. If the inspectors find enough bad things or illegal activity that is not corrected in a given amount of time the hotel will lose its franchisee license.

Well, this may just be a coincedence, but today while pumping fuel my credit card was denied.

I went to the Bank that issued it & found that some kind of organized crime group had been using my card (of which I only had one copy of ) at ATM's to get cash in both NY & Chicago. Somehow they made a copy of my card & obtained a pin. While this may be unrelated - I believe somehow it is related. I will further update as information is available and I get more info from investigators.

Obviously - whoever obtained my card info either sold it or traded it to other members in some kind of network as I was not ever close to NY or Chi. If anyone has any info either general or specific on these folks I would like to hear from you in this thread or through a PM.

All I can say is, you're lucky you weren't travelling with your mistress.

It's not the official policy of the companies you mentioned to conspire with organized crime, at least, not to my knowledge. As far as the operation of the individual locations, that falls to the manager and his staff. Anything goes.

Sounds like you got off relatively easy. A hassle, to be sure, but no real damage done.

Thanks for bringing this to ATS, it could really help someone avoid a dangerous situation.

Yes, I suppose you could say I'm lucky they're so stupid that they were using atm's in multiple locations which caused my card to be shut down by the fraud security division of the bank. Had they been a bit wiser that could have continued for a longer period of time.

My message to them is, I have more important things to do than hunt you & put you away right now, besides you're so pathetic I feel sorry for you that this is the best you will ever do. You know my name & if you continue your actions my empathy for your inferior genes and the line of losers you belong to will cease and you can prepare to see your loved ones on weekend visits from your prison cell. This is your last & only warning. Any more inquiries credit related or otherwise & I will make you my personal project & I will disseminate all I collect all over the internet & to every law enfocement agency that exists.

[edit on 21-1-2006 by outsider]