The Quality Inn in Fort Dodge has been given a second chance.
Gary Boerner, the Webster County sanitarian, met with the Webster County Attorney's Office Tuesday morning to discuss the possibility of legal action against the hotel, located at 2001 U.S. Highway 169 S., but it was ultimately decided to wait and see what happens next.
"The Quality Inn pool and spa area is closed, and they cannot open it legally until I have inspected it again," said Boerner.
The hotel management has been given until the end of the month to come up with a plan to correct all the health violations, he said.
During that time, the pool and spa area has to remain closed, even if the hotel passes periodical pool health spot tests conducted by Boerner. If it opens again before his final approval, the management could face punishment.
"I will meet the county attorney's office, and perhaps the state will be contacted again, to see how they would like to prosecute," he said.
Boerner said no one has reported getting sick at the establishment, but there have been a number of complaints about mold and sanitary conditions, including Kristina Paradise, of Warrenville, S.C.
"Pulling back the covers to get into bed, I found a number of small, live bugs," said Paradise during the first night of her stay on Aug. 11.
She and her husband James Paradise researched the bugs and discovered they were bedbugs.
According to the Iowa State University Extension Web site, bedbugs feed on the blood of mammals and often produce a reaction much like mosquitoes.
"I attempted to call the front desk to notify them of the situation only to discover that the phone did not work," Paradise said. "We spent the remainder of the night in our vehicle outside of the room."
The Paradises were staying at the Quality Inn during their vacation to the area and had made reservations for two nights but decided against staying longer than one night in their car.
"I personally informed the desk clerk on duty that we were canceling our reservation ... and that we were checking out," she said. "In 12 years, this was absolutely the worst experience we've had. Certainly the only one involving bugs."
Paradise said she and her husband spend a lot of time in hotels because they are both industrial pipe setters and travel a lot.
Quality Inn officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net