A Wren Says

“Is that dander in the couch?” As I went through my room at The Barnett in New Orleans to document my travels, excitedly, my stomach turned. Instead of learning about all of the details to give a better review, I started analyzing the space for cleanliness.

Then there was a screwdriver under the table. Just resting there, perhaps tired after a long day of fixer upper activities.

I alerted the front desk, just in case maintenance would be looking for it. They said that they would send someone for it, but the person never came. And the screwdriver continued to rest there day after day. Its continued presence made me think, “Do they even clean the floors?” If no one has noticed it, the space is definitely not being vacuumed. And no one is cleaning the couches. I felt uncomfortable as I noticed more things on various surfaces.

I never did this before at a hotel, but I went out to get disinfectant wipes and sanitized every surface. I contemplated spraying down the bed but that seemed like a different health hazard I wasn’t interested in. I wiped down the tub, which by the way is definitely not ADA compliant. It was so high that I could have caught a cramp lifting my leg over the ledge if I were dehydrated. But personally after having had to clean it I could not imagine wanting to take a bath in it.

As you might guess, I was unhappy with my stay. But you might think, after hearing stories about the bed bugs in Paris, and blood stains in Vegas, my concerns pale. However, I don’t think we should set the bar that low. The cleanliness was not up to my standard. The Barnett positioned as a boutique hotel. That means boutique level service, which includes attention to details. That wasn’t there for me.

I recognize that my issues could be a one off. Maybe things will be better if I gave them another chance. Perhaps I will, but you only get one first impression.