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A new ranking has named Rome the worst city in Europe for bed bug complaints and dirty mattresses, raising concerns for travelers planning a visit to the Italian capital. The study, conducted by MattressNextDay, analyzed 12.9 million TripAdvisor hotel reviews across 59 popular European holiday destinations to determine where guests most often reported bed bugs, dirty beds, and mattresses.
According to the analysis, Rome leads the list of destinations with the highest proportion of negative reviews mentioning bed bugs and poor mattress hygiene. The data reveal that complaints come from a range of accommodations, from budget hostels to higher-end hotels. For instance, some reviewers on TripAdvisor described waking up with numerous bites and finding live bed bugs in their rooms at certain establishments, with one guest saying, "We woke up to find BED BUGS all over the bed. We got bit about 100 times each," and reporting staff were "unapologetic regarding this issue." The same reviewer noted difficulties obtaining a refund and extra costs for laundry and medical care. These experiences highlight the persistence of the problem in some lodgings, despite guest complaints.
However, not all hotels in Rome have similar issues. Other users describe positive experiences at upscale establishments, praising cleanliness and attentive service, though occasional minor maintenance problems were mentioned.
Travel forums emphasize the importance of reading recent hotel reviews before booking. According to discussions on the Rick Steves travel forum, bed bugs can be found at any type of accommodation—regardless of price or rating—and can spread quickly. Travelers are advised to inspect mattresses and bedding on arrival, keep luggage off the floor, and use online resources such as TripAdvisor or the Global Bed Bug Registry to check for recent incidents. One forum user stated, "It doesn’t matter if it’s a 1 star or 5 star lodging…bedbugs can be anywhere. Some of the best hotels in the world have had infestations."
As the busy summer travel season approaches, visitors to Rome are encouraged to stay vigilant, review recent hotel feedback, and take basic precautions to avoid bringing bed bugs home.