Bed Bugs in Hotel Room - Appropriate Compensation

Hi Ozbargainers,

I'm overseas for about a month in Vanuatu. Unluckily, there has been bed bugs found in our room. We reported to reception today that we have woken up for a few days very itchy (at first we thought it was mosquitoes). They confirmed today that it is bed bugs. Apparently, they were just found in the room bed head. We have stayed in our room for 10 days already.

We have been offered a room change (downgrade as none available) until Friday when the treatment will be complete. At this stage we will move back to our current room.

Honestly, we're pissed. The accomodation is 4* and runs about $300 a night full price. We got a discount as we were staying for a month. Its still 120 Aud a night.

They are offering to just wash our clothes. I'm not convinced this will solve the issue. I'm honestly just frightened about bringing our clothes back to Australia and infecting our houses.

I was thinking they should reimburse us for our clothes and luggage as this seems to be the only sure shot of a cure. I also do not want to move back to the same room.

What do you think is appropriate compensation?

Thanks for the Help.

Update 1: Talked to management today. They currently have pest control in our old room. Pest control will be back in the afternoon and tomorrow.

The hotel's solution for our belongings is to wash our clothes on hot and then put them in the dryer on high. They intend to steam clean our suitcases. We explained that some of our clothes will likely be damaged through the process. We explained that we will get rid of the suitcases and our clothes before going back home. As this is the only sure fire way to eliminate the bed bugs.

We asked to be refunded for the 10 days we stayed in a bed bug apartment. As well the difference in the room rates between our old apartment and the current room. They manager however needs to check with the owner about all of that. We intend to use the refund money to buy new clothes.

Thanks for all the help guys will keep you updated

Update 2:

I woke up feeling like I had more bites today. Decided I should politely tell the hotel staff and ask if the pest control guy can check our room. The new room has a lot of ants around it and they even got into our bok choy and unopened fruit. We decided we could live with ants and we didnt want to cause additional fuss while we were here. So we tell reception on the way to the hospital that we might have some new bites and if its convenient would they mind getting the pest control man to check the room please.

We return early from the hospital as an outing got cancelled. Theres two people cleaning our room (usually only 1). We asked if there was any bed bugs. They said "pest control said the rooms all okay were just doing an extra good clean". Then they added "you shouldnt leave your cabbage out (bok choy) as the ants have gotten into it". We explained the situation saying theres lots of ants around but we didnt want to be a pain etc. They just said "no its like if you leave a biscuit out, ants will get into it". They asked if they could continue. We said if its okay we'll just get changed then go.

We walk into our room. The head board from above our bed is outside (this is where the bed bugs were found previously). We see the pest control guy and ask whats going on. He's like, "no bed bugs, but i found so many tiny ants, they're everywhere. The head board is full of them, so im just treating the board".

We're feeling pretty flat and deceived. Still need to talk to management…

Final Update: The tune of management has changed after talking to the owner. They will refund us the 10 days as well as refunding the difference in room rates. :)

Thanks for all the support guys.