A Cuban woman recently staying at Havana's Hotel Deauville reported finding bedbugs in her room, igniting a flurry of reactions on social media and raising concerns about sanitary conditions in the country's tourist and state-run facilities. The Cuban influencer, known as Esperanzita DC, shared her dismay in a video on Instagram during the early hours of August 29, which was later reposted by the feminist platform Alas Tensas (OGAT).
In the video, recorded at 1:56 a.m., she pointed out the insects crawling on the mattress, explaining that she initially thought she was being bitten by mosquitoes. "How can a hotel sell you a room with bedbugs?" she questioned while showing the bugs she had managed to squash with her phone camera.
Expressing her inability to stay in such conditions, Esperanzita DC declared, "I'm leaving. I can't stay in a place where there are bedbugs... where it's not clean."
Historical Hotel Reopens with Unforeseen Issues
The Hotel Deauville, a historic 14-story building located at the intersection of Galiano and Malecón, reopened in March 2024 after being closed since 2020. Managed by the state-run Gran Caribe chain, the hotel activated only 100 of its 144 rooms and promised to enhance its service level as part of a comprehensive renovation. However, the incident experienced by this guest starkly contrasts with the image portrayed by official tourism campaigns.
Response and Attempts to Resolve
Following the initial complaint, the content creator updated her followers, expressing gratitude for their support and detailing how she washed all her clothes in hot water to prevent any infestation, as suggested by her followers. She also shared feeling physically unwell, stating, "I have a migraine, not sure if it's from lack of sleep or the stress of what happened."
Hotel representatives reached out to her, offering to discuss the situation. "I'm willing to talk to them. I'm not refusing; it's just been difficult to coordinate the time. But they want to resolve this, and I want to fix it as well," she remarked, adopting a conciliatory yet still affected tone.
A Nationwide Bedbug Problem
While this case has drawn attention due to the hotel's recent reopening and international focus, bedbug infestations have become a recurring issue across multiple provinces, affecting not only tourist facilities but also hospitals, schools, and private homes.
In Santiago de Cuba, reports of infestations at the Gustavo Machín Psychiatric Hospital and schools like the Raúl Gómez García semi-boarding school have alarmed parents and health professionals. Meanwhile, in Camagüey, the Hotel Puerto Príncipe was recently closed due to a similar infestation spreading to nearby blocks, according to local reports.
Residents criticize the ineffectiveness of fumigations, noting that the problem exceeds the response capabilities of local authorities, who often choose to downplay or silence complaints.
Tourism Facade vs. Public Health Reality
This incident once again highlights the contradiction between the official propaganda promoting Cuba as a prime tourist destination and the harsh realities faced by both Cubans and visitors within its hotels, hospitals, and educational centers.
While the regime continues to invest in constructing and reopening hotels amid a tourism collapse and an unprecedented economic crisis, public health and basic hygiene remain neglected, even in areas that should showcase the country.
The ordeal of Esperanzita DC is not merely a tale of a spoiled night; it is a testament to the systemic neglect endured by thousands of Cubans daily. A bedbug on a mattress might seem trivial until it becomes symptomatic of a nation unraveling at its core.
Key Questions About Hotel Bedbug Infestation
What was the guest's initial reaction to finding bedbugs at Hotel Deauville?
The guest, Esperanzita DC, was shocked and frustrated upon discovering the bedbugs, questioning how the hotel could rent out a room in such condition.
How did the hotel respond to the bedbug allegations?
Representatives from the hotel reached out to Esperanzita DC, expressing a willingness to discuss and resolve the issue.
Are bedbug infestations a common problem in Cuba?
Yes, bedbug infestations have become a widespread issue in various provinces, affecting not only tourist accommodations but also hospitals, schools, and private residences.