I work as an auditor for an insurance company and going through some budget cuts. Due to a Shriner's convention in Fort Wayne, IN , my boss informs a co-worker and I that all the hotels in the area are over priced. He has graciously booked us in a budget hotel. Since my co-worker and I live in the Cleveland area, we I drive into town. My boss flies in and we pick him up.

I'm a frugal traveller and dont mind doing my part to save a couple bucks, but this was not the place. The hotel turned out to be a dive. The decor is dated from the 70's, no elevators, a dark bar, old indoor swimming pool. The place smelled like mix of stale cigarettes, warm pool chlorine and mold. My room was smelly, the carpet was sticky (also from the 70's) and I bought a bottle of bleach to clean the bathroom. According to the hotel clerk, I was given the best room of the house.

No wonder, I was the only female occupant (on an expense account) that week. Since the hotel was located by two truck stops and more than three strip clubs, the other female guests were renting rooms by the hour. I verified with the front desk that some of their clients do rent by the hour.

Everyone has a job to do. I just didnt want to hear it through the bedroom walls. I wanted to strangle my boss but as it turns out, he didnt want me telling the SVP. All in all, I survived, have this great story and didnt bring home bed bugs.

--Maria L., Cleveland, Ohio