A Las Vegas woman is speaking out after what she claims was a nightmare experience at an off-Strip casino that left her with painful bed bug bites and lasting scars. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she stayed at the casino’s hotel for a weekend getaway and quickly realized something was amiss when she woke up covered in red, itchy welts.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had never experienced anything like this before,” the woman said. “I immediately knew something was wrong and started researching online, only to find out that I had likely been bitten by bed bugs.”
The woman said she reported the issue to the hotel’s management, who quickly moved her to a different room and offered to have her belongings professionally cleaned. However, she said the damage had already been done, as the bites continued to worsen and eventually left her with painful scars.
“I couldn’t believe how careless the hotel was in addressing this issue. It was clear that they had a bed bug problem, and yet they continued to rent out rooms without properly addressing the issue,” the woman said.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown parasites that feed on human blood and are known to infest bedding, mattresses, and furniture. While their bites are usually not harmful, they can cause significant irritation and discomfort for those who are allergic to them.
The woman said she reached out to a local pest control company, who confirmed the presence of bed bugs in her room. She also contacted the Southern Nevada Health District and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to report the issue.
A spokesperson for the off-Strip casino said they take all guest complaints seriously and have since taken measures to address the issue.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our guest. The health and safety of our guests is our top priority, and we take all necessary steps to address any issues that may arise,” the spokesperson said.
While bed bug infestations are not uncommon in hotels and other lodging establishments, experts recommend travelers take precautions to avoid bringing the pests home with them. This includes checking hotel beds for signs of infestation, storing luggage on luggage racks instead of the floor, and washing and drying clothes on high heat immediately after returning home.
The woman said she is considering legal action against the off-Strip casino for the lasting scars and emotional distress she has endured as a result of the bed bug bites.
“I never thought something like this could happen to me, especially in a place like Las Vegas. I just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” she said.