NYC Dept of Tourism & City Inspector & Mayor office all need to know vermin infestation issues in that Hotel. Bad for tourism & New York city, bc bugs are health hazard & spread to adjoining bldgs. Owner will, or should be fined.
I felt so bad for you watching that video. If I had seen it as it was happening, I would have reached out, told you to take a train to NJ (I'm a half mile from my train station). I would have picked you up, given you a hug, a drink, and some food, and have gotten you back on the train in the morning for you to do what you needed to do in NY. I'm so sorry that was your first impression :(
😔😔 @@TravelWithBen121sad you had to go through it but lesson learned. Never ever book the cheapest hotel in any city especially in NYC! And second, if the reviews say don’t then don’t chance it unless you have a plan B. Feeling so sad that your wonderful 13 day cruise has come to this. 😔
@@TravelWithBen121What I find inexcuable is that Bookings listed it - though I would not have expected to get them to "do anything" in an emergency - and unfortunately for you, especially on race weekend. If the next cheepest hotel is in the $300 range - there has to be a reason, and unfortunately cockroaches in cities, in cheap areas are to be expected. (And unfortunately people who live in these types of buildings face the same fate.) Bedbugs in hotels are also a growing concern and travelling north as climates change. Could not your golf buddy not help with a sofa (or even a floor space with pillows?). The expense of NYC is the reason so many people live outside NYC borders. I thinkI would have gone to the train station whenI realizing their was no help from Booking, bought a ticket for some not too distant place leaving atsay 7am, and sat/slept. Once many, many, many years ago when in Brussels, and asking at the train station for info on places to stay for one night, I said I didn't need much, so inexpensive. The gentleman said "I do have one place, and if you're staying only one night, you probably will be safe". I suggested not THAT inexpensive.. Was this hotel only listed on Booking? Or did anyone else list it? What was it's ratings/reviews? Check Trivago - which compares prices of the same hotel (usually/often no difference). I hope that when you had your hours in the hotel you checked every fold and seem of your clothes for unwanted guests.
@@TravelWithBen121 the other poster is right for NYC a $50 price should have been your cue plus another post you said you read reviews but didn’t think it would be that bad. Well sad you had to learn this lesson the hard way. Hopefully some how your other 5 days in NYC were not spoiled.
I enjoy your videos, but I don't agree with you here. It's not the bookings platform responsibility that you cannot afford 200 dollars a night in one of the most expensive cities on the planet. It's yours. You should have done proper research beforehand. And always have a backup plan for accommodation and transportation. If you can't afford it, don't go.
Mathijs, it is 100% the booking platforms responsibility to check the properties that they offer. If you to a restaurant and the meat is not cooked, that’s your fault for choosing it! Right? 😂 nope, whoever supplied it should be responsible. I do have money 😁 I just said that to make a point.
If you are served uncooked meat, you leave and take your money somewhere else. They offered you a refund which is fair. Just think what would happen if they offered you six days accommodation in a 300 dollars a night hotel for compensation? In no time people would abuse the platform, book the cheapest option and make fake claims to upgrade their holidays.
Hi Ben, it has to be so frustrating to go from living on a cruise ship to that bug infested hotel in Chinatown. Too bad they don't have Capsule Hotels there as they would be much more reasonable. One bright spot is you are still alive and looking back at life in November 2023 so looking forward to the next video to see what happens next.
What a nightmare! That hotel can not be up to code, so it shouldn't be operating! I'm not sure who you'd call and report them but I'm sure the information is on the city's website!
Why is that a red flag? I didn’t expect luxury but I expect a liveable room and no cockroaches. I don’t think that’s much to ask for 😂 even for $50. But I guess I’m spoilt!
@@TravelWithBen121. You said it yourself that NY is the most expensive city. Some things sound too good to be true. I have been to good hotels and found roaches. I am glad you worked it out and found a new location.
I have never left a negative comment on a video so this is a first for me. I agree with so many others that you got what you paid for. $50 a night in New York City? What did you expect! I also don’t understand blaming the booking website for the state of the hotel. Take responsibility for your bad choice, suck it up and go somewhere else. This was a costly consequence for being uninformed.
If you order a steak in a restaurant and it’s burned, you complain and get a new steak, right? OWN IT 😂 it was your choice to order the steak so deal with it! 👍
I had a flight cancel while in the city and the only hotel available was $400/night. Fortunately the desk agent gave me a room held back in case another room went down for $250/night because I had a kid with me. But seriously. Booking the cheapest room in a city is kind of stupid. You do seem like a very intelligent person. Life lesson
Why is that stupid? George, even though it’s cheap, is still expect it to be liveable. It was also marathon weekend so availability was low. Pretty stupid of me to arrange a marathon, right? 😂
$50 a night in NYC.... It would only get a mid-range hotel even in Bali 😅😅😅 Well.... there's always lesson in everything n makes you wiser to choose something better 🙂🙂🙂 Keep up the spirit 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 Hugzzz n Love from Bali ❤❤❤
Weren't there online reviews? Not sure where you are traveling after New York, but cheap hotel or motels under $100 are likely going to have bedbugs and moldy air conditioners. Howard Johnson and Motel 6 are two to avoid. There is actually a website where you can check if the room has bedbugs. $50 is kind of a rookie mistake. Although I once stayed at the Grand Hyatt near pershing square and the bathroom tiles were falling off the wall and I paid $300. No bedbugs though. A good reasonably priced chaun is Choice Hotels. Get the membership card.
Yes there were online reviews, yes I did read them. You haven’t traveled outside the US much if you think you can’t get a nice hotel for less than $100 😁 it’s not a rookie mistake to expect a room to not have bed bugs and cockroaches, regardless of how cheap it is.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You are such a nice guy and I felt so sorry for you. They should have gotten you another place asap. I really enjoy your videos. You are a wonderful person. 😊
It’s crazy to me that people don’t expect the travel agency to get another place for me, Michael 😂 if I go to a restaurant and the steak is over cooked, I expect a new one with no extra charge, right?! Cheers, Michael 😁
I love your attitude Ben. You have such an easy going friendly personality. I was on the Norwegian Getaway twice last year leaving from New York and it was a really nice ship. I loved the food!!! I stayed in the solo cabin also. Loved it!
I just wanted to thank you, for going to see the memorial. That was very kind words you spoke. I live in Iowa in the USA. And Flight passenger Tom Burnette family lives in Iowa. He was from Iowa. I was just saying that's my connection with that. It was so sad, and alot of New Yorkers that went threw that have told me when I visited that they can't go there. If you ever get a chance please visit the inside how they honor the memories it's pretty incredible. Even tho I'm old person (lol) your inspiration for traveling is very inspiring. And not alot of videos are genuine that is for sure. I do get a bit of whip lash when you turn the camera so fast lol lol. Your doing great you will be successful. Ps. I'll make sure to say where I'm going, I hate it when people say oh I went to the USA ummm like what state we have 50. So we know your pain to lol lol
Thank you, Karen! the memorial is a very powerful place, I really hope they never build there and it remains a memorial for years to come. It’s crazy to think that it actually happened that day and it definitely sends a shiver down your spine seeing the memorial and reading the names. HAHA ‘I’m going to the USA’. Are they going to New York or Iowa? Very different places 😂 I’m working on moving the camera slower, many people have told me this 😁 Thank you again for watching!
Ok, I just watched the entire video! I think seeing the lobby would have told me all I needed to know about the room before seeing it! Anyway, I used a third party once to stay at a motel in NJ and although it wasn't nearly as bad as where you stayed. I expected better! I believe the ownership is on both the booking company and bookie. I don't think these companies have full knowledge of what these are actually like, so it's best to first Google places where you want to stay check reviews ( try Yelp) then based on that information, use a third party if you wish! Hope this helps! Now, I'll be looking for your other video soon, lol. P.S. Paying $350 was for peace of mind nothing would be crawling on you 😊! It was worth it!
Can't believe you had a disappointing stay at, what is ultimately a homeless shelter..... Im also upset you didn't capture the swimming pool, the spa/sauna and the latest Gordan Ramsey restaurant on the upper floors.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that horrible experience after such a wonderful cruise. That so called hotel should be shutdown. It shouldn't be on any booking site ever. Its absolutely disgusting. I hope the rest of your stay in New York is better.
I totally agree with you, Jenny! Just because it’s cheap in an expensive city, doesn’t mean I should expect and accept bugs! If it’s not up to standard then it should be shut down, doesn’t matter how cheap it is.
One of warnings I always check for reviews is bed bugs. But China town , New York , 50 bucks a night? Too good to be true. I’d be wrapping my luggage in Saran Wrap and terrified of cockroaches. The ceiling opened like that would not allow me to sleep as well as anything can crawl to my room. How can anyone sleep with that? I’m so sorry you went through that. The place should be flagged for the health officials. Just saying. Glad you found clean and nice looking place. Can’t put a price on well being. Thanks for sharing video. Every experience you share with us helps us as well on our trips. We appreciate you very much. 😊
Crazy that the bug hotel doesn't get shut down by the authorities. I'm British & live in the area, and whilst all the tourist places, museums etc are great, unfortunately NYC is not a great place to visit because of the other problems (homeless/drugs/crime/immigrant crisis etc). I had friends visit recently and they were too scared to leave their hotel at night. I really wouldn't recommend anyone visit NYC right now, there's much nicer places to visit.
Oh my goodness!! I felt so bad watching this. I do agree with you! I live in NY and one of my friend’s brother usually visits once a year and he has done hostels before and he never had that environment. I stayed in Paris traveling alone and my hotel was a 100 euros a night and it was so clean and comfortable. But my friend who lives in Switzerland helped me book it cause I left Basel to visit Paris and then went back to Basel to him. NY is expensive and yeah booking a cheap hotel is a hit or miss but that’s an infestation. That’s not sanitary. Glad you found the new hotel. Hope you were able to stay longer. It was the booking company’s fault. I do use travel agents because of my fear of this, but I have good friends who help me out as well. So sorry this happened to you! 😟
Thank you, Flo 😊 it wasn’t a good night and I don’t know how that place is allowed to be open! It’s funny so many people commented that it’s my fault 😂 like I shouldn’t expect liveable standards just because it’s cheaper than the rest! Crazy people 😊
@@TravelWithBen121 Exactly, cheap does not equal unlivable conditions! That’s wild to even think that. And just to add my hotel in Paris was right in the middle of where everything was happening! I was literally two or three train stops from the tower, and two stops from the train station. So to me that was cheap and the I didn’t see any bugs! We live and we learn. We have to get some bad experiences to make better ones.
For that price you could get a tent, a few supplies, and a ride to the nearest park. Just an idea. I do agree the travel agency should have helped you. Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you do.
that’s why I never booked through third-party sites, and I always booked directly through the Marriott. Sometimes it’s not worth saving the money to deal with the headache. Thanks for sharing
Yes... I use Marriott and am only silver... trying to achieve gold. I use a Bonvoy credit card which gives me a free night. Have been very happy with Marriott!
Ben, I grew up in New York City and then moved away in 1986. Been back many times of course but this is very embarrassing to say the least and I am sorry you had to experience that. I'm sure others have already said it, but you should have stayed in a hotel away from NYC and just take the train into the city to film whatever you need. Let me finish watching the video to see what happened. The city has improved a ton since I left but it also has gotten absolutely horrible since I left and that is too bad because I still consider it the greatest city on earth as far as food and entertainment and so much to do. 😢
@@TravelWithBen121 I used to take musical theater classes right off 43rd and Broadway when Times Square was full of prostitution and creeps constantly wanting us girls to go into their creepy theaters. I cannot believe I used to take the train back to upper Manhattan so late but the Lord always protected me. Harlem was a mess and so many other neighborhoods even Brooklyn and all of that has been renovated and are now tourist spots. By the same token, there are now millions more people which increases homelessness and crime and everything else that goes with that. My heart cries for my city. I am now in South Florida but I have also lived in other states so I am spoiled over 35 years free from roaches and rats and garbage everywhere. I still have family in the city. Your video raised my blood pressure and I just wanted to run and rescue you. LOL
Logistics question...when you were walking between hotels, your left hand was empty, your right hand was filming with the phone and you had a bag strapped over your shoulder...where was your roller luggage that we saw on the cruise?
As a seasoned traveler..you have to take some responsibility. If you stay at the cheapest sh*t hotel... hard to expect your booking agent to upgrade you to hotels costing 5xs as much! We stay at the Marriott Time Square, minimize June rate $645/nt.
@@TravelWithBen121 this location is below ramen noodle quality. This is more like expired ramen noodle quality and you need to realize that people here in the US are okay with this type of quality based on its low price. I'm sorry you had to learn this in such a hard lesson. I don't know what city or even suburb in this entire country that doesn't have to deal with bed bugs and cockroaches.
I'm sorry this happened, how terrible. We looked at this hotel when looking at cheap stays and couldn't believe the reviews. Travel down south some, it is much cheaper here. 😅
Just watched this now. How awful. I looked for a follow-up video to see if you found anyplace to go for the rest of your planned visit but couldn't find any. Did you just head home? Have you been back to NYC since? When visiting NYC you can't assume anything about quality. Huge housing shortage. Many homeless people. Many refugees. A really tough city to visit on a budget if one doesnt know one's way around. The Pod hotels are a safe budget bet. This really is a great city with so much to offer. I hope you've given us another chance.
The very next video I figure it out, Abraham 😊 ruclips.net/video/lU5MM44IVWs/видео.htmlsi=dbS9GIfqhWFqivWQ I haven’t been back to NYC since this time but I definitely would love to return! It hasn’t turned me off of the city but it’s pretty bad you say that I shouldn’t expect quality in one of the most expensive cities in the world 😂
@TravelWithBen121 Wow! Just watched the start to see where you landed and you came right to my neighborhood, the UWS. Will watch the rest after work. We have great quality of everything here but it costs. There is a RUclips guy named Jon Barr who has a superb channel called Here be Barr with great info for visitors to NY, including visitors on a budget. His advice and judgment is consistently top notch. I love the UWS and living near Central Park
Oh man I feel for you. I’ve been to America a few times and from my experience if you spend less than $100 a night on a hotel room there is a very real risk of this type of experience. In New York even a $200 a night room is at best the equivalent of a Travel Lodge! I do like America but it is very backward in some ways. It’s a crumbling empire.
Ben, they say you should always put your suitcase, belongings in the bathtub or on a non-carpeted floor to keep the bedbugs from getting into your luggage/or in your case, possibly out of your luggage.
Hi, my name is Ben and I just was on a cruise ship for almost two weeks and now I have no money left to stay six nights in New York City at a decent hotel! Can you help me?
Um....he already told us that his average stay per night for the cruise was about $39-$40. Of course he would think $50+/night would get him a clean bed with no bedbugs and roaches.
Ben, you can stay in International Youth Hostels in Manhattan at a reasonable rate. Membership is required. Or you can stay in a hotel in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is what I did when I was in New York for a meeting. The hotels in Jersey City run a free shuttle to and from Times Square throughout the day with the last bus returning to Jersey at about 7:00 p.m. I think I paid about $120.00 per night in Jersey. There's no way I can afford to stay in Manhattan. The bugs you experience in that dive do not surprise me. They're everywhere in the tenements of New York.
Hilton Times Square on 42nd st 6th Ave. Not the newer Hilton right in TS. Doesn't come up on Hilton's site, have to search by name. Biggest rooms for not top $. Very nice. Has bronze Disney characters outside. Near Madam T's Wax. NYT newspaper right out back door. Also Holiday Inn near Times Sq great rates. These are hidden gems that locals know to suggest.
ALWAYS BOOK THROUGH THE HOTEL! Never a third party. Second next time try POD NYC. Very affordable. Especially if you stay between Jan 2nd and mid-March. The only other option is a Hostel. HI or YMCA. The Y is bad, but not that bad.
Its horrible. But outside in New Jersey you have cheaper and better options in hotels. Also with public transit connection. And send Booking your video, that you get money back. The price in big tourist destinations in US are not normal. 300$ for nothing special hotel room. On the expensiv weekends in Vegas, i move to laughlin NV, for example. I hope you find a way out and i feel with you.
I have stayed in the TRYP hotel in Times Square and it has always been clean but I have chosen to avoid NYC. A lot of people stay in Hoboken New Jersey and take the Path train into NYC for the tourist visit. I cruised out of Boston and had a great experience. I live near Philadelphia so in 2026 I can cruise out of Philly.
The first time you walked through Times Square, I saw some people that had signs that said "Jesus Can Help You." In hindsight, I think I would have asked them for a business card in case I needed help for anything. I heard singing and brass instruments which is usually how the Salvation Army folks minister in the streets. In a "pinch," the Salvation Army usually has systems in place to help people. Also, the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) usually has housing and help and meals for people who are on a fixed budget. I'm so sorry you had such a horrible experience in NYC. It IS so expensive!
You laid down on the clean bed with your dirty, bug-infested clothes. You should have taken everything off and left everything, including your bags in the bathroom. You contaminated that room.
You need to have credit card when traveling as a back up. I would sleep at the train or bus station. How can they work there? $300 for 6 days, no way I would have stayed there.
So sorry for you having to experience such a nightmare! Some ideas... get on a hotel program and use points & cash... or stay in a neighboring town with better hotels and more affordable rates... take the train in and out of Manhattan. New York is one of the priciest cities in the world... Ultimately one needs to plan well in advance when visiting any large city. Personally I am on a hotel program ... stay only at their hotels... accumulate points and some program status. It's been working well for me and I visit eastern cities often. I NEVER USE THIRD PARTY BOOKING WEBSITES.
Good advice, Ted 👍 I booked the cruise and whole trip 2-3 weeks before it actually happened. Marathon weekend made the whole city go crazy so it was difficult to find anywhere! It’s all good 😁👍
I guess we stay tuned to see how this plays out but you need to leave Manhattan if you cant afford a room there. I would go out by the airport and plan on getting out of dodge as soon as you can. Im a new subscriber and am shocked you dont have the funds for lodging. Dumb luck you landed during the marathon.
Ben, why didn't you check out the reviews before booking that horrible hotel. I just looked at Trip Advisor and every review warned of what you went through. I'm glad you didn't end up staying there. Dreadful place.
Laura, you are the 20th person to ask me if I read the reviews 😂 and for the 20th time, I’m going to say YES! I read the reviews but it was marathon weekend so availability was low and I had to stay close to Manhattan! 😁👍
Unfortunately, the most expensive city in the world is at its most expensive on Marathon weekend. Too bad you weren't aware of the New York Marathon dates when you planned your trip. Even the suburbs would probably be out of reach. Maybe take the train to Philadelphia.
Sorry you had a bad experience visiting the United States. New York is very expensive, indeed. Hopefully you will visit the US again and have a better time. You would enjoy Williamsburg, Virginia. 😊
Not sure where you're from in the UK (can't tell by your accent and I am married to a Brit) but NYC is really eye opening experience. I'm sorry it was so bad for you. I live in the suburbs of New York City and we NEVER go in there (I only have gone with school trips as a kid or to visit relatives or when I had medical treatment.) My parents are both NYC born and HATE going there--we are natives and dislike it. Please don't hate NY--most of us are nice, normal people. All big cities can be scary.
I love NYC! This experience hasn't made me dislike the city, I can't wait to return! Of course, I will stay somewhere else next time 😁 It worked out fine in the end and life always goes on. Thanks for watching!
With Hotels you realy do get what you pay for. I had that happen to me, so I never go cheep on hotels. I cut costs in other areas to offset the hotel expense.
@@TravelWithBen121 This was not meant as an insult. I just know what it feels like to be in that situation. I loved your cruise videos. A piece of advice, when showing items on a menu, pan a little slower so we can see what it says.
As for your question, if you pay only $50 for a hotel in New York City, then yes you can expect bed bugs and roaches. New York is the most expensive place to stay in the United States.
And if you do not have money for emergencies, and this was an emergency, then you cannot be traveling. This is absolutely horrible!! we stayed in one of the worst hotels in Orlando Florida, September 2023, and it was my fault for not paying attention to the reviews on Tripadvisor. And they had to give us another room which was just as bad. Nowadays, we have no excuse because we have the blessing of reviews. When I used to travel a lot in the 80s there were no reviews and you just had to cross your fingers that things were like the brochure stated.
I do have money for emergencies, I said it just to make a point 👍 I did read the reviews for this place but I was limited with availability during marathon weekend and other reasons. I don’t think anyone should cross their fingers and hope there’s no cockroaches and bedbugs 😂 surely that’s a given in the best city in the world, right?
@@TravelWithBen121 LOL yes. True. I forgot about the marathon that weekend. I just feel embarrassed with a world traveler like you to see that and to have experienced that. That building should be shut down completely. The differences between super rich and super poor is so obvious now in New York City. And in your case, it was not just a matter of changing room. The entire building is infested with roaches. I still thank you for showing that and opening our eyes because I for one can be so innocent and gullible and fall into that. 😢 when you come to South Florida, count on a friend here to assist you even though I am not an expert with Miami because I do not go there as much since I live in Broward County but in a pinch, I can try to help. And I love cruising too ❤️ I started an online business just so I can have extra money to cruise more often
Oh no Ben! That’s horrible! You should have never stayed there! That hotel is usually for the homeless or hookers! I wish I had known you sooner. Sadly, you need to spend some cash for a decent hotel. Everyone who lives here knows not to go to places like that. I’m so sorry.
That hotel is awful. This is why i always travel with a credit card for emergencies. U would be better trying a ymca or a hostel. A hard lesson to be learnt but u get what u pay for
Also unfortunately, a low-rate room in the U.S. is not like a low-rate room in England. In the U.S. it usually means roaches, illicit drugs and prostitution.
wow it's smaller than your solo cabin. now i'm kinda amazed that ships manage to keep thousands of cabins clean of life forms after many trips of almost constant occupancy wow and you got it through a travel service? surely they've had other complaints about the place and they still offer it as an option? hmm that's not a good sign maybe a hostel? i stayed in one with a friend in sweden. we upgraded to a private room so it wasn't communal though the bathroom/shower was. did the ymca used to be a cheap place to stay...i never tried it so i don't know how that works.. "i'll call you by 10 (because my shift ends at 10 and i won't be here when you check back on me)" 😀 leave a warning on yelp! ohhh the marathon....you're cursed! 😞 hmm maybe expedia for future travel planning (until they drop the ball too....) somewhere the bugs are complaining to other bugs about all the noises of people coming and going into their room and talking to their cameras "when you get caught between the moon and new york city...." wow it's nice and big...oh..it's not cheap...eek hard to really enjoy it when you know it's more than you want to pay well, i agree someone/company should have done something, but...maybe as an american i'm completely used to the idea of "should" being an absolute joke. if you've followed all the drama in our justice system.. every time i see a news item of "should be investigated" "should be in trouble for..." the "should" really stands out because it never happens and if it ever does it takes forever and the push of powerful people. in that sense the system doesn't work (or it works as intended because powerful people are required to do or not do anything of significance. i'd prefer a good professional consistent well understood system but if wishes were horses...)
Marathon weekend wasn’t kind to me 😂 availability was low! There are many complaints online! I definitely think I should have been helped but oh well, life goes on 😁
The Bowery is a disgusting area of NYC, if i were you, change your plane reservation and leave. I always stayed at Hilton, it was moderately priced, although a long time ago. go to airport to sleep before you can leave. I can not sleep in a hotel like that.
On top of all that it sounds like the smoke detector is loudly beeping every few seconds from low battery which would keep you awake - I could never sleep with that loud beeping. That would be from failure to conduct maintenance and would likely be a breach of regulations. There is also no excuse to not fumigate regardless of the price of the room - bugs and vermin carry dangerous diseases. The booking platform would be aware of these potential situations, it would have come up before and they are just playing dumb and are obviously dodging and placating to deliberately avoid putting a proper process in place to deal with these situations and just make their money the easy dodgy way. I will never book with them.
I agree, Cathy 👍 I complained to the hotel owner and Booking.com so it’s up to them if they want to do something about it! I 100% stand by that they should have helped me get somewhere else to stay.
I would take a train out of the city and stay elsewhere.
At midnight? Where would you go? 😂
@@TravelWithBen121 New Jersey. Take the PATH train.
NYC Dept of Tourism & City Inspector & Mayor office all need to know vermin infestation issues in that Hotel. Bad for tourism & New York city, bc bugs are health hazard & spread to adjoining bldgs. Owner will, or should be fined.
Definitely should.
@@TravelWithBen121 You should, disgusting, but they are everywhere in the city. including restaurants.
I felt so bad for you watching that video. If I had seen it as it was happening, I would have reached out, told you to take a train to NJ (I'm a half mile from my train station). I would have picked you up, given you a hug, a drink, and some food, and have gotten you back on the train in the morning for you to do what you needed to do in NY. I'm so sorry that was your first impression :(
I hug would have been nice at midnight, Andrea 😂 it’s okay, I got it figured out in the end! Life always goes on 🙏
God bless you. I would have done the same thing because he can be my son and no tourist should experience that.
lesson learned, always read reviews before booking. This is a nightmare
I did but I thought it can’t be that bad 😂 life goes on, Christina!
😔😔 @@TravelWithBen121sad you had to go through it but lesson learned. Never ever book the cheapest hotel in any city especially in NYC! And second, if the reviews say don’t then don’t chance it unless you have a plan B. Feeling so sad that your wonderful 13 day cruise has come to this. 😔
$50 in NYC should had been your first clue that the hotel was no bargain. Sometimes too good to be true is a good motto to double check what you book.
Why is that a clue that there will be cockroaches? I still expected it to be liveable. How silly of me 😁
@@TravelWithBen121What I find inexcuable is that Bookings listed it - though I would not have expected to get them to "do anything" in an emergency - and unfortunately for you, especially on race weekend. If the next cheepest hotel is in the $300 range - there has to be a reason, and unfortunately cockroaches in cities, in cheap areas are to be expected. (And unfortunately people who live in these types of buildings face the same fate.) Bedbugs in hotels are also a growing concern and travelling north as climates change. Could not your golf buddy not help with a sofa (or even a floor space with pillows?). The expense of NYC is the reason so many people live outside NYC borders. I thinkI would have gone to the train station whenI realizing their was no help from Booking, bought a ticket for some not too distant place leaving atsay 7am, and sat/slept. Once many, many, many years ago when in Brussels, and asking at the train station for info on places to stay for one night, I said I didn't need much, so inexpensive. The gentleman said "I do have one place, and if you're staying only one night, you probably will be safe". I suggested not THAT inexpensive..
Was this hotel only listed on Booking? Or did anyone else list it? What was it's ratings/reviews? Check Trivago - which compares prices of the same hotel (usually/often no difference). I hope that when you had your hours in the hotel you checked every fold and seem of your clothes for unwanted guests.
@@TravelWithBen121 the other poster is right for NYC a $50 price should have been your cue plus another post you said you read reviews but didn’t think it would be that bad. Well sad you had to learn this lesson the hard way. Hopefully some how your other 5 days in NYC were not spoiled.
@@iluvcruising I don't agree, Lillie. My trip wasn't spoiled 😁 Life always goes on.
I enjoy your videos, but I don't agree with you here. It's not the bookings platform responsibility that you cannot afford 200 dollars a night in one of the most expensive cities on the planet. It's yours. You should have done proper research beforehand. And always have a backup plan for accommodation and transportation. If you can't afford it, don't go.
Money aside, I believe it was the insect situation most upsetting plus unsanitary bathrooms ! Gross!
It's disgusting and it should be closed down. But it's not surprising this is what you get at 50 dollars in Manhattan.
Mathijs, it is 100% the booking platforms responsibility to check the properties that they offer. If you to a restaurant and the meat is not cooked, that’s your fault for choosing it! Right? 😂 nope, whoever supplied it should be responsible. I do have money 😁 I just said that to make a point.
If you are served uncooked meat, you leave and take your money somewhere else. They offered you a refund which is fair. Just think what would happen if they offered you six days accommodation in a 300 dollars a night hotel for compensation? In no time people would abuse the platform, book the cheapest option and make fake claims to upgrade their holidays.
@@gD23BhUo5Bvdxh you don’t have much faith in humanity, Mathijs 😁 I showed proof. Try and have a more positive outlook on life 👍
OMG.....how awful! I hope those bugs did not get into your bags or your clothing! Ugh! I hope you had a good night's sleep in the nice hotel!
Luckily they didn’t, Lori! I enjoyed my 9 hours in the nice hotel 😂
But those things like to hitch a ride on anything 😳
Hello, Ben. Take the train down to the New Jersey shore and stay. It's off season and likely much nicer & affordable.
I have plans in Manhattan so I wanted to stay nearby. Thank you, Arlene 😁👍
There are hostels in nyc that are inexpensive - yotel is a really cool space
Right, it was hard to find availability because it was marathon weekend!
Hi Ben, it has to be so frustrating to go from living on a cruise ship to that bug infested hotel in Chinatown. Too bad they don't have Capsule Hotels there as they would be much more reasonable.
One bright spot is you are still alive and looking back at life in November 2023 so looking forward to the next video to see what happens next.
I check into a Capsule hotel tomorrow! So no worries. Life always goes on, Ben 😁
nah, there are a few capsule hotels in NYC.
Adding to the problems, that beeping is a fire detector that's reporting the battery is too low for it to work. Fire hazard.
I didn’t notice that, Jim 😂😂😂 that is the least of their worries!
For $50 in NYC. That was a red flag that you should have known.
Known what? $50 doesn’t mean it should not be liveable. Crazy mindset for you to expect that 😂
I didn't know either.
What a nightmare! That hotel can not be up to code, so it shouldn't be operating! I'm not sure who you'd call and report them but I'm sure the information is on the city's website!
It should be closed down 😳
Worst time to get a hotel room with the NY Marathon going on. $300 for a room in NY is a bargain. Sorry you had to experience this.
You’re right 😁 thanks, Kathy 👍
You didn’t read the comments on TripAdvisor before booking your stay?
I did 😁
@@TravelWithBen121and none of them mentioned roaches?
@@iluvcruising Nah the reviews are really bad, lots of photos with bugs etc
I think the $50 a night should have been a huge red flag. Lesson learned for you in the hardest way. Hope you figured out a solution.
Why is that a red flag? I didn’t expect luxury but I expect a liveable room and no cockroaches. I don’t think that’s much to ask for 😂 even for $50. But I guess I’m spoilt!
@@TravelWithBen121 Average price of a 1 star hotel in NYC is $125 or more. What were you smoking when you booked this "hotel" room? LOL
You really don’t get it 😂
@@TravelWithBen121. You said it yourself that NY is the most expensive city. Some things sound too good to be true. I have been to good hotels and found roaches. I am glad you worked it out and found a new location.
I have never left a negative comment on a video so this is a first for me. I agree with so many others that you got what you paid for. $50 a night in New York City? What did you expect! I also don’t understand blaming the booking website for the state of the hotel. Take responsibility for your bad choice, suck it up and go somewhere else. This was a costly consequence for being uninformed.
If you order a steak in a restaurant and it’s burned, you complain and get a new steak, right? OWN IT 😂 it was your choice to order the steak so deal with it! 👍
If I paid $2.00 for the steak … and it was sub par … no I don’t think I would have the right to complain. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
I wouldn't want my worst enemy to go through that ... well, maybe one or two but that's it.
Maybe a few people :)
I had a flight cancel while in the city and the only hotel available was $400/night. Fortunately the desk agent gave me a room held back in case another room went down for $250/night because I had a kid with me. But seriously. Booking the cheapest room in a city is kind of stupid. You do seem like a very intelligent person. Life lesson
Why is that stupid? George, even though it’s cheap, is still expect it to be liveable. It was also marathon weekend so availability was low. Pretty stupid of me to arrange a marathon, right? 😂
$50 a night in NYC....
It would only get a mid-range hotel even in Bali 😅😅😅
Well.... there's always lesson in everything n makes you wiser to choose something better 🙂🙂🙂
Keep up the spirit 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Hugzzz n Love from Bali ❤❤❤
Weren't there online reviews? Not sure where you are traveling after New York, but cheap hotel or motels under $100 are likely going to have bedbugs and moldy air conditioners. Howard Johnson and Motel 6 are two to avoid. There is actually a website where you can check if the room has bedbugs. $50 is kind of a rookie mistake. Although I once stayed at the Grand Hyatt near pershing square and the bathroom tiles were falling off the wall and I paid $300. No bedbugs though.
A good reasonably priced chaun is Choice Hotels. Get the membership card.
Yes there were online reviews, yes I did read them. You haven’t traveled outside the US much if you think you can’t get a nice hotel for less than $100 😁 it’s not a rookie mistake to expect a room to not have bed bugs and cockroaches, regardless of how cheap it is.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You are such a nice guy and I felt so sorry for you. They should have gotten you another place asap. I really enjoy your videos. You are a wonderful person. 😊
It’s crazy to me that people don’t expect the travel agency to get another place for me, Michael 😂 if I go to a restaurant and the steak is over cooked, I expect a new one with no extra charge, right?! Cheers, Michael 😁
I love your attitude Ben. You have such an easy going friendly personality. I was on the Norwegian Getaway twice last year leaving from New York and it was a really nice ship. I loved the food!!! I stayed in the solo cabin also. Loved it!
I’d love to go on the Getaway again!
A 30-second look at the website reviews would tell you about the cleanliness, roaches, etc. Not sure why this was a surprise
I took longer than 30 seconds to read the reviews, Glen 😁 you don’t see why cockroaches are a surprise? HAHA you’ve been spoilt, Glen 👍
You might be right! Did you get the payment sorted in the end?
Yes 😁
Hope you found a good affordable place to stay. Look for options in Brooklyn next time! I’ve stayed at a few range from $80-120 per night.
I needed to stay close to Manhattan, so Brooklyn wasn’t an option 😁 thank you! I got it worked out 👍
Interesting that you didn’t list at least one hotel in Brooklyn.
I just wanted to thank you, for going to see the memorial. That was very kind words you spoke. I live in Iowa in the USA. And Flight passenger Tom Burnette family lives in Iowa. He was from Iowa. I was just saying that's my connection with that. It was so sad, and alot of New Yorkers that went threw that have told me when I visited that they can't go there. If you ever get a chance please visit the inside how they honor the memories it's pretty incredible. Even tho I'm old person (lol) your inspiration for traveling is very inspiring. And not alot of videos are genuine that is for sure. I do get a bit of whip lash when you turn the camera so fast lol lol. Your doing great you will be successful. Ps. I'll make sure to say where I'm going, I hate it when people say oh I went to the USA ummm like what state we have 50. So we know your pain to lol lol
Thank you, Karen! the memorial is a very powerful place, I really hope they never build there and it remains a memorial for years to come. It’s crazy to think that it actually happened that day and it definitely sends a shiver down your spine seeing the memorial and reading the names. HAHA ‘I’m going to the USA’. Are they going to New York or Iowa? Very different places 😂 I’m working on moving the camera slower, many people have told me this 😁 Thank you again for watching!
Ok, I just watched the entire video! I think seeing the lobby would have told me all I needed to know about the room before seeing it! Anyway, I used a third party once to stay at a motel in NJ and although it wasn't nearly as bad as where you stayed. I expected better! I believe the ownership is on both the booking company and bookie. I don't think these companies have full knowledge of what these are actually like, so it's best to first Google places where you want to stay check reviews ( try Yelp) then based on that information, use a third party if you wish! Hope this helps! Now, I'll be looking for your other video soon, lol. P.S. Paying $350 was for peace of mind nothing would be crawling on you 😊! It was worth it!
But I didn’t know what the lobby looked like until I arrived 😂 I did read the reviews but I didn’t expect it to be that bad!
Can't believe you had a disappointing stay at, what is ultimately a homeless shelter..... Im also upset you didn't capture the swimming pool, the spa/sauna and the latest Gordan Ramsey restaurant on the upper floors.
I must have missed the luxury spa 😁 I’ll have to stay there again to check it out 😂
No...homeless shelters are much better.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that horrible experience after such a wonderful cruise. That so called hotel should be shutdown. It shouldn't be on any booking site ever. Its absolutely disgusting. I hope the rest of your stay in New York is better.
I agree Ina, it should be shut down immediately! Life goes on and things get better, always 😁🙏 thank you for watching!
Eeeew… I am so sorry. I can’t believe that hotel is ‘full’. It’s scary to be walking around on your own.
Definitely full of something 😂
I'm 2,000 miles away from that hotel and have the heebie jeebies. I'm going to have to go disinfect myself and change the sheets before bed!
2000 miles is still too close, Robyn 😂
OMG!! I agree with you Ben. However cheap the hotel, there should not be bugs, period. Hope all works out for you.
I totally agree with you, Jenny! Just because it’s cheap in an expensive city, doesn’t mean I should expect and accept bugs! If it’s not up to standard then it should be shut down, doesn’t matter how cheap it is.
One of warnings I always check for reviews is bed bugs. But China town , New York , 50 bucks a night? Too good to be true. I’d be wrapping my luggage in Saran Wrap and terrified of cockroaches. The ceiling opened like that would not allow me to sleep as well as anything can crawl to my room. How can anyone sleep with that? I’m so sorry you went through that. The place should be flagged for the health officials. Just saying. Glad you found clean and nice looking place. Can’t put a price on well being. Thanks for sharing video. Every experience you share with us helps us as well on our trips. We appreciate you very much. 😊
@@helenhelen7822 everyday is an experience, Helen 😂
Crazy that the bug hotel doesn't get shut down by the authorities.
I'm British & live in the area, and whilst all the tourist places, museums etc are great, unfortunately NYC is not a great place to visit because of the other problems (homeless/drugs/crime/immigrant crisis etc).
I had friends visit recently and they were too scared to leave their hotel at night.
I really wouldn't recommend anyone visit NYC right now, there's much nicer places to visit.
I definitely wouldn’t recommend NYC to anyone either, Janny! Definitely not a safe or clean place and I don’t want to be outside when it’s dark!
Oh my goodness!! I felt so bad watching this. I do agree with you! I live in NY and one of my friend’s brother usually visits once a year and he has done hostels before and he never had that environment. I stayed in Paris traveling alone and my hotel was a 100 euros a night and it was so clean and comfortable. But my friend who lives in Switzerland helped me book it cause I left Basel to visit Paris and then went back to Basel to him. NY is expensive and yeah booking a cheap hotel is a hit or miss but that’s an infestation. That’s not sanitary. Glad you found the new hotel. Hope you were able to stay longer. It was the booking company’s fault. I do use travel agents because of my fear of this, but I have good friends who help me out as well. So sorry this happened to you! 😟
Thank you, Flo 😊 it wasn’t a good night and I don’t know how that place is allowed to be open! It’s funny so many people commented that it’s my fault 😂 like I shouldn’t expect liveable standards just because it’s cheaper than the rest! Crazy people 😊
@@TravelWithBen121 Exactly, cheap does not equal unlivable conditions! That’s wild to even think that. And just to add my hotel in Paris was right in the middle of where everything was happening! I was literally two or three train stops from the tower, and two stops from the train station. So to me that was cheap and the I didn’t see any bugs! We live and we learn. We have to get some bad experiences to make better ones.
I cannot believe you stayed in that room while you were waiting...
Where else can I wait at midnight? 😂
For that price you could get a tent, a few supplies, and a ride to the nearest park. Just an idea. I do agree the travel agency should have helped you. Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you do.
Go for it, Sylvia! Travel agency should have definitely helped me. Anyone that doesn’t agree is just crazy! Thank you 🙏
When visiting NYC.. never never Eva Eva… stay in the cheapest hotel!!’
Marathon weekend didn’t help me 😁
that’s why I never booked through third-party sites, and I always booked directly through the Marriott. Sometimes it’s not worth saving the money to deal with the headache.
Thanks for sharing
Yes... I use Marriott and am only silver... trying to achieve gold. I use a Bonvoy credit card which gives me a free night. Have been very happy with Marriott!
I never book. My butler does that.
Marriott in NYC is extremely expensive 😁
You poor thing. That looks horrific, and of course everything feels ten times worse in the dead of night.
You’re right about that, the time was ticking on and the later it got, the more terrible it felt 😂 but it worked out in the end!
Ben, I grew up in New York City and then moved away in 1986. Been back many times of course but this is very embarrassing to say the least and I am sorry you had to experience that. I'm sure others have already said it, but you should have stayed in a hotel away from NYC and just take the train into the city to film whatever you need. Let me finish watching the video to see what happened. The city has improved a ton since I left but it also has gotten absolutely horrible since I left and that is too bad because I still consider it the greatest city on earth as far as food and entertainment and so much to do. 😢
Thank you 🙏 I had to stay close to Manhattan. You said NYC has gotten better and worse since you left? Why do you think that?
@@TravelWithBen121 I used to take musical theater classes right off 43rd and Broadway when Times Square was full of prostitution and creeps constantly wanting us girls to go into their creepy theaters. I cannot believe I used to take the train back to upper Manhattan so late but the Lord always protected me. Harlem was a mess and so many other neighborhoods even Brooklyn and all of that has been renovated and are now tourist spots. By the same token, there are now millions more people which increases homelessness and crime and everything else that goes with that. My heart cries for my city. I am now in South Florida but I have also lived in other states so I am spoiled over 35 years free from roaches and rats and garbage everywhere. I still have family in the city. Your video raised my blood pressure and I just wanted to run and rescue you. LOL
Logistics question...when you were walking between hotels, your left hand was empty, your right hand was filming with the phone and you had a bag strapped over your shoulder...where was your roller luggage that we saw on the cruise?
Roach Motel 😂
As a seasoned traveler..you have to take some responsibility. If you stay at the cheapest sh*t hotel... hard to expect your booking agent to upgrade you to hotels costing 5xs as much! We stay at the Marriott Time Square, minimize June rate $645/nt.
Do you take responsibility in a restaurant when you order a steak and it's burnt? Your fault, right?
@@TravelWithBen121 never went to a fast food place.... then demanded that they pay for steak dinner
@@TravelWithBen121 this location is below ramen noodle quality. This is more like expired ramen noodle quality and you need to realize that people here in the US are okay with this type of quality based on its low price. I'm sorry you had to learn this in such a hard lesson. I don't know what city or even suburb in this entire country that doesn't have to deal with bed bugs and cockroaches.
@@mvineyard45 sounds like you haven’t traveled much, John.
@@TravelWithBen121 I have. I just have a tiny tiny budget. For which I have to stick to.
I'm sorry this happened, how terrible. We looked at this hotel when looking at cheap stays and couldn't believe the reviews. Travel down south some, it is much cheaper here. 😅
Good idea for avoiding it, Alyssa 😁 south will be warmer too 😂
Just watched this now. How awful. I looked for a follow-up video to see if you found anyplace to go for the rest of your planned visit but couldn't find any. Did you just head home? Have you been back to NYC since? When visiting NYC you can't assume anything about quality. Huge housing shortage. Many homeless people. Many refugees. A really tough city to visit on a budget if one doesnt know one's way around. The Pod hotels are a safe budget bet. This really is a great city with so much to offer. I hope you've given us another chance.
The very next video I figure it out, Abraham 😊 ruclips.net/video/lU5MM44IVWs/видео.htmlsi=dbS9GIfqhWFqivWQ I haven’t been back to NYC since this time but I definitely would love to return! It hasn’t turned me off of the city but it’s pretty bad you say that I shouldn’t expect quality in one of the most expensive cities in the world 😂
@TravelWithBen121 Wow! Just watched the start to see where you landed and you came right to my neighborhood, the UWS. Will watch the rest after work. We have great quality of everything here but it costs. There is a RUclips guy named Jon Barr who has a superb channel called Here be Barr with great info for visitors to NY, including visitors on a budget. His advice and judgment is consistently top notch. I love the UWS and living near Central Park
Well, I guess it’s one of those experiences you look back on and hopefully have a laugh at! The joys of travel!
Of course! Laugh and move on the next day 😂 life always goes on 👍
@@TravelWithBen121 at least it made interesting content!
Oh man I feel for you. I’ve been to America a few times and from my experience if you spend less than $100 a night on a hotel room there is a very real risk of this type of experience. In New York even a $200 a night room is at best the equivalent of a Travel Lodge! I do like America but it is very backward in some ways. It’s a crumbling empire.
@@mike_on_the_move-w9c HA a Travel Lodge would have been heaven!
Ben, they say you should always put your suitcase, belongings in the bathtub or on a non-carpeted floor to keep the bedbugs from getting into your luggage/or in your case, possibly out of your luggage.
Good advice, Nancy :)
What does the lowest priced hotel in London look like? Just curious?
No idea, Di! I’ve never stayed in a hotel in my hometown before, have you?
The dying fire alarm was the icing on the cake
@@NoBody-zr4ue the most annoying sound 😂
Hi, my name is Ben and I just was on a cruise ship for almost two weeks and now I have no money left to stay six nights in New York City at a decent hotel! Can you help me?
I can’t help you, Mitchell 👍
@@TravelWithBen121You are a mean man, Mitchell
Um....he already told us that his average stay per night for the cruise was about $39-$40. Of course he would think $50+/night would get him a clean bed with no bedbugs and roaches.
Ben, you can stay in International Youth Hostels in Manhattan at a reasonable rate. Membership is required. Or you can stay in a hotel in Jersey City, New Jersey. This is what I did when I was in New York for a meeting. The hotels in Jersey City run a free shuttle to and from Times Square throughout the day with the last bus returning to Jersey at about 7:00 p.m. I think I paid about $120.00 per night in Jersey. There's no way I can afford to stay in Manhattan. The bugs you experience in that dive do not surprise me. They're everywhere in the tenements of New York.
I had to be close to Manhattan, Thomas. Plus marathon weekend didn’t help. Thanks for the advice 😁👍
I would be getting back on that cruise ship and go back over the pond! 💜🌼
I wish, Mitch!
I always wondered why the health dept doesn't close those hotels.
Me too 😂
Hilton Times Square on 42nd st 6th Ave. Not the newer Hilton right in TS. Doesn't come up on Hilton's site, have to search by name. Biggest rooms for not top $. Very nice. Has bronze Disney characters outside. Near Madam T's Wax. NYT newspaper right out back door.
Also Holiday Inn near Times Sq great rates. These are hidden gems that locals know to suggest.
Great, Sheila 👍
ALWAYS BOOK THROUGH THE HOTEL! Never a third party. Second next time try POD NYC. Very affordable. Especially if you stay between Jan 2nd and mid-March. The only other option is a Hostel. HI or YMCA. The Y is bad, but not that bad.
It was marathon weekend so nothing else was available 😁
How did you not do research on that hotel you originally booked? You would’ve seen the reviews on it.
I did 😂
I see you can’t stop itching, I would be the same way! So sorry! 😢
Thank you ☺️
Its horrible. But outside in New Jersey you have cheaper and better options in hotels. Also with public transit connection. And send Booking your video, that you get money back.
The price in big tourist destinations in US are not normal. 300$ for nothing special hotel room. On the expensiv weekends in Vegas, i move to laughlin NV, for example. I hope you find a way out and i feel with you.
I had plans in Manhattan so I didn’t want to stay too far away. I got my money back 😁 it’s all good 👍
I guess you didn’t see the rating of poor when you booked it. I don’t feel sorry for you.
Of course I did 😁 don’t feel sorry for me, let’s all laugh and move on 👍
It's like staying in Chungking Mansions in HK and they have a bit better accommodations!
Great!
I have stayed in the TRYP hotel in Times Square and it has always been clean but I have chosen to avoid NYC. A lot of people stay in Hoboken New Jersey and take the Path train into NYC for the tourist visit. I cruised out of Boston and had a great experience. I live near Philadelphia so in 2026 I can cruise out of Philly.
@@Rocking_the_Mimi_life many people avoid NYC, Cheryl 😂
@@TravelWithBen121 you should consider trying Philly in 2026. NCL Jewel to Bermuda and Charleston!
What did you do with your luggage? That would be infested too. ahhh. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
It was fine in the end, Melissa 😁👍
@@TravelWithBen121 😱😱😱 my biggest nightmare is bed bugs. Omg. Glad they didn’t stay with you.
Get out of there.. That will play with your mind ! After your cruise catch the cruise back to Southampton!
I’m out, Sarah 😁👍
The first time you walked through Times Square, I saw some people that had signs that said "Jesus Can Help You." In hindsight, I think I would have asked them for a business card in case I needed help for anything. I heard singing and brass instruments which is usually how the Salvation Army folks minister in the streets. In a "pinch," the Salvation Army usually has systems in place to help people. Also, the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) usually has housing and help and meals for people who are on a fixed budget. I'm so sorry you had such a horrible experience in NYC. It IS so expensive!
I know that, John. But the YMCA is nowhere near Chinatown and I didn’t want to travel far at midnight. It worked out in the end 😁
@@TravelWithBen121 I was worried for your safety and so glad you found a decent place to stay.
Where is your suitcase at 1 am ?
Roach motel 😂
You laid down on the clean bed with your dirty, bug-infested clothes. You should have taken everything off and left everything, including your bags in the bathroom. You contaminated that room.
I didn’t lay down in the bug room. My bag was left in the bug room and never taken to the nice room. I did not contaminate that room 😁
You need to have credit card when traveling as a back up. I would sleep at the train or bus station. How can they work there? $300 for 6 days, no way I would have stayed there.
Enjoy the train station, Brownie 😁 plenty of other people sleeping out there with you 👍
I live in Boston and this is one of many reasons I avoid NYC like the plague. The Health Dept needs to shut this sheithole down!
I agree, Simon 😂 I don’t know how it’s open!
So sorry for you having to experience such a nightmare! Some ideas... get on a hotel program and use points & cash... or stay in a neighboring town with better hotels and more affordable rates... take the train in and out of Manhattan. New York is one of the priciest cities in the world... Ultimately one needs to plan well in advance when visiting any large city. Personally I am on a hotel program ... stay only at their hotels... accumulate points and some program status. It's been working well for me and I visit eastern cities often. I NEVER USE THIRD PARTY BOOKING WEBSITES.
Good advice, Ted 👍 I booked the cruise and whole trip 2-3 weeks before it actually happened. Marathon weekend made the whole city go crazy so it was difficult to find anywhere! It’s all good 😁👍
I guess we stay tuned to see how this plays out but you need to leave Manhattan if you cant afford a room there. I would go out by the airport and plan on getting out of dodge as soon as you can. Im a new subscriber and am shocked you dont have the funds for lodging. Dumb luck you landed during the marathon.
I have plans in Manhattan, Jimmy 👍 so that’s why I wanted to stay nearby. Don’t be shocked 😁 I do have funds. Thanks for watching!
you should try for a room on staten island there are places lest than $85 per night
I needed to be near Manhattan, Philip. And it was marathon weekend 😁
Ben, why didn't you check out the reviews before booking that horrible hotel. I just looked at Trip Advisor and every review warned of what you went through. I'm glad you didn't end up staying there. Dreadful place.
Laura, you are the 20th person to ask me if I read the reviews 😂 and for the 20th time, I’m going to say YES! I read the reviews but it was marathon weekend so availability was low and I had to stay close to Manhattan! 😁👍
I’m going to throw up, there are always rooms/hotels not far from JFK airport. 😞
@@maureen5531 you’re right, thank you ☺️
Unfortunately, the most expensive city in the world is at its most expensive on Marathon weekend. Too bad you weren't aware of the New York Marathon dates when you planned your trip. Even the suburbs would probably be out of reach. Maybe take the train to Philadelphia.
You’re right Dennis, luckily it worked out in the end 😊
READ THE REVIEWS!!!
I did James, relax.
@@TravelWithBen121 don't take it personal
Sorry you had a bad experience visiting the United States. New York is very expensive, indeed. Hopefully you will visit the US again and have a better time. You would enjoy Williamsburg, Virginia. 😊
Thank you, Kendall! I love the US so I’ll be back someday. I’ve never been to Virgina 😁👍
Did that room atleast have an electrical outlet?
One 😁
Who would trust it? That's probably the penthouse area for the roaches!!
Not sure where you're from in the UK (can't tell by your accent and I am married to a Brit) but NYC is really eye opening experience. I'm sorry it was so bad for you. I live in the suburbs of New York City and we NEVER go in there (I only have gone with school trips as a kid or to visit relatives or when I had medical treatment.) My parents are both NYC born and HATE going there--we are natives and dislike it. Please don't hate NY--most of us are nice, normal people. All big cities can be scary.
I love NYC! This experience hasn't made me dislike the city, I can't wait to return! Of course, I will stay somewhere else next time 😁 It worked out fine in the end and life always goes on. Thanks for watching!
You booked a 50$ a night hotel in New York . The roaches are your continental breakfast, I don’t see the problem.
So you stay there, Kenny 👍 enjoy it.
I would Rent a car or van and sleep in it 🤦♀️🤷♀️
At midnight?
With Hotels you realy do get what you pay for. I had that happen to me, so I never go cheep on hotels. I cut costs in other areas to offset the hotel expense.
Rick, you think because I paid $50 for a room, I should expect bed bugs and cockroaches? You have a crazy mindset if you think that’s acceptable 😂
@@TravelWithBen121 This was not meant as an insult. I just know what it feels like to be in that situation. I loved your cruise videos. A piece of advice, when showing items on a menu, pan a little slower so we can see what it says.
As for your question, if you pay only $50 for a hotel in New York City, then yes you can expect bed bugs and roaches. New York is the most expensive place to stay in the United States.
You would be better off sleeping at the airport for six nights and then flying home.
Terrible advice, Mitchell 😂
@@TravelWithBen121Thank you for not taking my advice last year Ben!
Seriously NYC is not the place to get the cheapest hotel! You’ve got to read the feedback!!! Ugh
I did read the feedback, Suzina 😂 ugh!
The fire alarm needs batteries, omg what a nightmare situation…🥺
I didn’t even notice the peeping, Siobhan 😂 yeah this place should be shut down!
@@TravelWithBen121 The other hotel looked much nicer 🤣
It’s crazy it was just down the street but much nicer!
And if you do not have money for emergencies, and this was an emergency, then you cannot be traveling. This is absolutely horrible!! we stayed in one of the worst hotels in Orlando Florida, September 2023, and it was my fault for not paying attention to the reviews on Tripadvisor. And they had to give us another room which was just as bad. Nowadays, we have no excuse because we have the blessing of reviews. When I used to travel a lot in the 80s there were no reviews and you just had to cross your fingers that things were like the brochure stated.
I do have money for emergencies, I said it just to make a point 👍 I did read the reviews for this place but I was limited with availability during marathon weekend and other reasons. I don’t think anyone should cross their fingers and hope there’s no cockroaches and bedbugs 😂 surely that’s a given in the best city in the world, right?
@@TravelWithBen121 LOL yes. True. I forgot about the marathon that weekend. I just feel embarrassed with a world traveler like you to see that and to have experienced that. That building should be shut down completely. The differences between super rich and super poor is so obvious now in New York City. And in your case, it was not just a matter of changing room. The entire building is infested with roaches. I still thank you for showing that and opening our eyes because I for one can be so innocent and gullible and fall into that. 😢 when you come to South Florida, count on a friend here to assist you even though I am not an expert with Miami because I do not go there as much since I live in Broward County but in a pinch, I can try to help. And I love cruising too ❤️ I started an online business just so I can have extra money to cruise more often
thank you for saving me -🧡💛💚💙 by cancelling my booking for this hotel , what a disgusting place, this should be closed by the city
Definitely cancel, Anton! Not worth it just to save a few dollars. I ended up staying at Kama Central Park. Good luck!
Oh no Ben! That’s horrible! You should have never stayed there! That hotel is usually for the homeless or hookers! I wish I had known you sooner. Sadly, you need to spend some cash for a decent hotel. Everyone who lives here knows not to go to places like that. I’m so sorry.
This place should never be called a hotel! Luckily, it turned out fine! 😁
At 2010, I was sleep in this hotel, price only $10 , just enjoy..😂
@@AhmadDianto-c3t bargain 😂
That hotel is awful. This is why i always travel with a credit card for emergencies. U would be better trying a ymca or a hostel. A hard lesson to be learnt but u get what u pay for
I didn’t get what I paid for, Liz 😂 cheap doesn’t mean expect cockroaches. I expect it to be liveable. I guess I’m an optimist!
And why would you not have enough money traveling!🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
Hope you didn’t bring any friends with you from the roache and bedbug hotel!!!
I do have enough money for traveling, Jan 😁 I said that just to make a point. Friends to be made everywhere 😂
Just made me feel better that I've never been to NYC
No one is forcing you to go 👍
Also unfortunately, a low-rate room in the U.S. is not like a low-rate room in England. In the U.S. it usually means roaches, illicit drugs and prostitution.
But I heard the US is the greatest country in the world… is that not true?
wow it's smaller than your solo cabin. now i'm kinda amazed that ships manage to keep thousands of cabins clean of life forms after many trips of almost constant occupancy
wow and you got it through a travel service? surely they've had other complaints about the place and they still offer it as an option? hmm that's not a good sign
maybe a hostel? i stayed in one with a friend in sweden. we upgraded to a private room so it wasn't communal though the bathroom/shower was.
did the ymca used to be a cheap place to stay...i never tried it so i don't know how that works..
"i'll call you by 10 (because my shift ends at 10 and i won't be here when you check back on me)" 😀
leave a warning on yelp!
ohhh the marathon....you're cursed! 😞
hmm maybe expedia for future travel planning (until they drop the ball too....)
somewhere the bugs are complaining to other bugs about all the noises of people coming and going into their room and talking to their cameras
"when you get caught between the moon and new york city...."
wow it's nice and big...oh..it's not cheap...eek hard to really enjoy it when you know it's more than you want to pay
well, i agree someone/company should have done something, but...maybe as an american i'm completely used to the idea of "should" being an absolute joke. if you've followed all the drama in our justice system.. every time i see a news item of "should be investigated" "should be in trouble for..." the "should" really stands out because it never happens and if it ever does it takes forever and the push of powerful people. in that sense the system doesn't work (or it works as intended because powerful people are required to do or not do anything of significance. i'd prefer a good professional consistent well understood system but if wishes were horses...)
Marathon weekend wasn’t kind to me 😂 availability was low! There are many complaints online! I definitely think I should have been helped but oh well, life goes on 😁
Where did your luggage go?
Nowhere 👀
You are safe at 1am.., the city that never sleeps
Sheri, NYC is one of the last places I want to be at 1am 😂 definitely not safe.
I could think of some other not so safe places at 1 am… but it is your experience so… I understand
Whereabouts is you suitcase
Roach motel 😂
But why?
Always read the reviews!!!
I did, Pat 😁
The Bowery is a disgusting area of NYC, if i were you, change your plane reservation and leave. I always stayed at Hilton, it was moderately priced, although a long time ago. go to airport to sleep before you can leave. I can not sleep in a hotel like that.
@@pasha21k thanks, Jill 😁
Find you a better hotel for about $100 a night in New York City. No bugs always clean may not be the best neighborhood but it’s clean.
Find me one on marathon weekend that is available 2-3 weeks before booking. Thanks.
I feel so bad for you....this would be my personal nightmare.
@@ychaps bad experience, Yvonne 🤢
On top of all that it sounds like the smoke detector is loudly beeping every few seconds from low battery which would keep you awake - I could never sleep with that loud beeping. That would be from failure to conduct maintenance and would likely be a breach of regulations. There is also no excuse to not fumigate regardless of the price of the room - bugs and vermin carry dangerous diseases. The booking platform would be aware of these potential situations, it would have come up before and they are just playing dumb and are obviously dodging and placating to deliberately avoid putting a proper process in place to deal with these situations and just make their money the easy dodgy way. I will never book with them.
I agree, Cathy 👍 I complained to the hotel owner and Booking.com so it’s up to them if they want to do something about it! I 100% stand by that they should have helped me get somewhere else to stay.