We spent only a few hours here – half hour unloading, less than an hour in the room, and a half hour loading back up before we left.

After less than an hour in the room, my baby boy and I became quite ill. We didn’t notice the chemical smell at first – we wouldn’t have taken the room if we did. But within a short time we were quite sick. My wife said she noticed the smell, but it didn’t make her sick – but she said the smell was unpleasant (but as she really wanted us to rest, so she was willing to live with it - she is that way).

The lady at the front desk admitted that it was the cleaner used in all of the rooms – as such she even refused to show us other rooms claiming that they would all smell the same, and that they would all make us sick. So we weren't even given a choice.

We had only been there for about 45 minutes at that point. And we were sick - my baby was crying.

I was informed that I could not get a refund – despite the fact that I hadn’t even really used the room, and had been there for less than an hour. I was given the owners number and told to call him directly.

A few days later I called the owner on the phone, and he told me that he was going to send me a refund by cheque in the mail – that is what he made me believe. Later I tried to send him a letter, but there was no response or reply.

Later I was informed that the smell that made me sick was almost certainly caused by the chemicals that are sprayed to kill bed bugs. I wouldn’t know as I never used the bed – and I’m glad I didn’t.

I was only in the room for short time (and never really used the room), and became quite ill just being there – and so did my baby boy. I had no choice but to leave, and I never received an apology or a refund.

If you absolutely have to stay in 100 Mile House, pick any other place to sleep – even if it is just a ditch on the side of the road. The good thing about a ditch on the side of the road is that there are no bad chemical smells, no bed-bugs, and you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off.

I was ripped off by the Super 8 in 100 Mile House, and the owner and staff should all be ashamed of themselves.

avw@shaw.ca