A Cuban woman who publicly reported the presence of bedbugs in a room at the Deauville Hotel in Havana returned to the establishment after receiving an invitation from the management, which aimed to show her that the issue had been addressed.
The case went viral on social media after the affected person posted a video showing the conditions of her accommodation. According to reported this Tuesday by the Cuban content creator known as Esperanzita DC, following the incident, the hotel not only refunded her money, but also reached out to offer her a new stay.
Upon arrival, she was taken to the same floor where she stayed the first time and noticed that everything had been fumigated and sealed, with a strong smell of chemicals and chlorine that confirmed the treatment applied.
The administration explained that a three-stage follow-up will be implemented to ensure the complete eradication of pests.
As an additional gesture, the client was accommodated on the 14th floor, where the rooms have been renovated and are luxurious, in contrast to the deterioration seen in the lower floors.
The woman emphasized that the rooms were "clean, fresh, and super comfortable", in sharp contrast to the initial experience.
The hotel also offered the influencer and her partner a dinner at its restaurant, which the complainant interpreted as a effort to reclaim its image in the eyes of the public.
“The treatment was special, the food was delicious,” the woman noted, although she admitted to feeling watched by other guests and staff, aware of the controversy generated by her first video showing the insects moving on the mattress while she explained that she had already felt bites but thought they were from mosquitoes.
The content creator emphasized that her goal was never to “destroy” or cause layoffs, but rather to highlight a real issue.
Following the invitation, he deemed it appropriate to present the "after," emphasizing that the Deauville administration acknowledged the shortcomings and is working on solutions.
The case has sparked a debate on social media regarding the quality of tourism services in Cuba, a sector affected by the deterioration of infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and the widespread economic crisis.
"The legend says that now it promotes the hotel," wrote an internet user. Another added: "Okay, they fumigated, but if you hadn't exposed it, it would still be infested with bedbugs and other pests."
For some, the hotel's response was an attempt at damage control; for others, a demonstration that citizen pressure can compel institutions to take action.
Frequently asked questions about the conditions of the Hotel Deauville in Havana and tourism in Cuba
What problem did the Cuban Esperanzita DC face at the Deauville Hotel?
Esperanzita DC reported the presence of bedbugs in her room at the Deauville Hotel in Havana, which sparked a significant amount of reactions on social media. The influencer shared a video showing the insects crawling on the mattress, leading to an intervention by the hotel to address the issue.
How did the Deauville Hotel respond to the bedbug complaint?
After the complaint, the Deauville Hotel fumigated and sealed the affected floor, and offered a new stay to Esperanzita DC on the 14th floor, where the rooms had been renovated. This gesture was interpreted as an attempt to improve its image in the eyes of the public.
What implications does this case have for tourism in Cuba?
The case highlights recurring issues in the Cuban tourism sector, such as lack of maintenance and poor hygiene conditions. These problems reflect a contradiction between official propaganda and the reality experienced by tourists and citizens, which negatively impacts the image of tourism on the island.
How does Cuba's economic situation affect its tourism services?
The widespread economic crisis in Cuba has negatively impacted the quality of tourism services. Deteriorating infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and resources have led to situations such as bedbug infestations in hotels, which discourages tourists and affects the country's reputation as a travel destination.
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