Roaches drive couple from Burlington hotel room

A Peterborough couple says they had some unexpected guests in their Burlington hotel room. 

Kevin and Katherine Brown had a scheduled C-section at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton at 5 a.m., and chose to stay at the Admiral Inn in Burlington the night before to save themselves the early trip. They checked in on Nov. 15. 

Shortly after checking in, Katherine allegedly found roaches. 

“We put away our clothes, got settled for the morning, and went to bed,” Katherine says. “I couldn’t sleep, and went to the bathroom. I felt something move near my foot. After grabbing my glasses I saw it was a cockroach.”

It is worth noting that Kevin works for a pest control company, though Katherine says she had never seen a roach before in her life. Kevin says roaches don’t come in with people, like bed bugs do. Kevin also previously worked in hotel management in the U.S.

During a quick search around the room, the couple – along with Katherine’s mother – allegedly found more roaches. After contacting the front desk at 9:30 p.m., and bringing a roach in a cup to the agent at the desk, they were moved to another room. However, they say, it contained a stench and a generally unclean environment – including garbage on the floor consisting of a gum wrapper, a Remembrance Day poppy and a dead moth. 

The guests were moved to a third room, but they say there was still evidence of bugs: a dead cockroach was crushed against the wall as if it had been stepped on. The Browns then left, relocating to a different hotel where they say they enjoyed their time. 

The Browns provided a video showing some roaches in the room, which can be viewed here. 

Anna Hollas, general manager of the Admiral Inn, did not respond to a request for an interview, but did send an email to the Browns, BurlingtonToday and Access Halton.

“It appears strange that the video you provided only showcases two live cockroaches, yet you describe it as a major infestation,” Hollas wrote. “Additionally, after discussing the matter with our front desk staff, it was noted that you initially approached them with two dead cockroaches, emphasizing the room’s supposed severity. Afterward, you were relocated to room 127, which you claimed was not properly cleaned either. Despite further efforts to accommodate you in room 258, you allegedly found another bug and insisted on a full refund.”

Hollas continued that the timing and details of the couple’s actions raise suspicions about the legitimacy of the complaint, and she believes the incident was set up for personal gain. 

Katherine says she was infuriated after receiving the message, but was grateful that she had something in writing. 

“You just gave us written evidence, because otherwise it would be her word against mine,” Katherine says. “There's a paper trail now.”

The Browns provided several screenshots of Google reviews of the Admiral Inn that mention roaches, pests and garbage, with dates from as recently as a few weeks ago and as far back as one year. Google reviews can be accessed by anyone online. 

Halton Public Health received a complaint on Nov. 22 about cockroaches at the Admiral Inn, but said no previous similar complaints were found in their system. 

“A public health inspector (PHI) attended the location, and an inspection of the hotel room was conducted to determine if there was a risk to public health,” Holly Einboden, communications specialist with Halton Public Health says. “The PHI did not observe cockroaches — or evidence of cockroaches. It was confirmed that the hotel has a contract with a commercial pest control company. In addition, the report for a recent inspection of the food premise at this location did not indicate evidence of an insect issue. The complaint was discussed with the hotel manager and the PHI recommended they consult with their pest control company on the use of insect monitoring stations to support existing prevention measures in the hotel rooms.”

As of Nov. 22, the couple had not received a refund. The room cost $137 for the time they stayed.