Quality Inn faces corporate name change
Franchise says deal is terminated, stops booking, Web site arrangementBy KATIE WILLIAMS Messenger staff writer
The Quality Inn in Fort Dodge will be required to change its name, according to a representative from the company that franchises the hotel.
However, Mick Trivedi, general manager of the Quality Inn, said he was not aware of losing the name and trademark.
"Everything is going according to our plan," said Trivedi. "And there is no way I'll be losing the franchise."
The decision to pull the Quality Inn in Fort Dodge off of its list of hotels was made by Choice Hotels International, the company that franchises Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion and other hotels.
The Quality Inn, 2001 U.S. Highway 169 S., has been the subject of multiple recent allegations, including the presence of rat droppings, dirty diapers in public areas and a lack of chlorination in the swimming pool and spa.
''They can no longer represent the Choice Hotels International name,'' said David Peikin, spokesman for Choice Hotels International. ''They have been removed from our Web site, and guests can no longer book rooms through us.''
Peikin said the hotel was terminated for "life safety reasons."
''We certainly want our hotels to comply with health regulations making it a safe and comfortable environment for guests,'' he said. ''They have not resolved problems in the past and will no longer be allowed to carry the name and trademark of Quality Inn.''
But that doesn't mean the hotel will have to close.
Brian Hanft, manager for the Environmental Health Services, a contracted inspector for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, said no one has the authority to close a hotel permanently - not even the state - but it can close it for a period of time.
''We can close it if we find a health hazard, but we have to give them time to fix the problem,'' said Hanft. ''Once they fix the problem they can ask to be reinspected and if they pass they can open again.''
It is the same for the pool and spa area and the hotel's food services, said Hanft.
A once-a-year inspection is required but the operator can continue to get its license if the fee is paid.
''It's a snapshot in time,'' said Hanft. ''We don't go to the hotel at the same time every year. It has to be unexpected. But they could just be having a bad day that day so we have to allow them the chance to make the changes.''
Not even reinspections brought on by complaints can lead to a permanent closure of the establishment, he said.
Trivedi said the next inspection for the hotel and kitchen will be held today and anticipates it going very well.
The pool and spa area inspection will be held on Aug. 27, Trivedi said.
Allegations were initially brought to light Aug. 13 when Webster County Sanitarian Gary Boermer told the Webster County Board of Health that the hotel was not adhering to swimming pool safety regulations. Soon after, other alleged problems surfaced.
Contact Katie Williams (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net
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MovedfromDodge
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08-22-08 2:33 PM
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Now I know where to place the in-laws.
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lucie1
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08-21-08 11:04 PM
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I can only hope that any advertising on the internet for Fort Dodge, Iowa does not include the Quality Inn as an option of motel choices...we as residents need to make sure we spread the word about this establishment. Maybe they will have such a decrease in revenue that they will have to close and perhaps it will get a new owner/manager providing they didn't go to the same hotel management school as Trivedi. You know, TV channel 8 (KCCI) likes to do stories on Fort Dodge...maybe they should cover this one too.
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jaybares
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08-21-08 7:06 PM
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Where is "lady of evening" in Room 131 moving that kept my uncle up all night during softball tourney moving? At least she was good for the taxi business.
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Dodger
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08-21-08 6:09 PM
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Great point, BORN. We know better. The people who are actually staying there oftentimes don't.
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NamVet
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08-21-08 5:32 PM
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Skippy: Who do you think has been among the first to call for legal action and consequences against the so-called Inn? Your political "bias" is not necessary, or welcome especially when the subject at hand is something we all can agree upon. I am a Liberal thinker, but also conservative. Lastly, if you look at the Senators and Congressmen calling for the rule of law to be enforced when it comes to abuses of power, breaking U.S. laws, International Law, Human Rights violations, falsifying intelligence and sooooo much more, WHO is it that desires to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America? It is the progressives and or liberals that are shouting out for 'law and order' and consequences for the law breakers. Your stereotyping of liberals is certainly not based in reality. It is not okay to break laws and not be held accountable just because it fits your inane ideologies!
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BornInFD
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08-21-08 4:06 PM
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I do what I can - mythoughts. Regardless of what it is named, FD residents know it is a hole. It is the unsuspecting people from out of town coming to FD for softball tournaments, to see the Fort or whatever brings them. They are the ones that I feel for, miles from home and expecting a good trip and then POW they get rocked by the Q Inn, gives Fort Dodge a bad name that way.
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Skippy
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08-21-08 3:52 PM
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I can see it now, "THE NEW WORLD MOTEL' PART OF THE NEW BETTER WORLD BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LIBERAL THINKERS OF AMERICA"
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Dodger
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08-21-08 2:51 PM
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A *once-a-year* inspection is required but the operator can continue to get its license if the fee is paid. 'It's a snapshot in time,' said Hanft. 'We don't go to the hotel at the same time every year. It has to be unexpected. *But they could just be having a bad day* that day so we have to allow them the chance to make the changes.' Disgusting parts starred. I can't believe what I'm reading.
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Dodger
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08-21-08 2:50 PM
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The more I read about this, the more it annoys me. Seriously, heads should roll from this crap. Unacceptable.
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Dejavue
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08-21-08 1:55 PM
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Bug Drop Inn - We leave our zapper on all night.
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mythoughts
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08-21-08 1:20 PM
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By the way, nice comments Born. It gave me a chuckle.
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mythoughts
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08-21-08 1:19 PM
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They've made promises before, and they didn't keep them. No reason why we should trust that they will finally change their ways. The people of FD have lost all loyalty for that place, if they ever had it to begin with. It needs burnt to the ground, as far as I'm concerned.
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happyface
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08-21-08 12:52 PM
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Now let's look at the positive side. No one has been murdered there lately (that I know of). There were no rats spotted, only droppings. It sounds like they have a plan. What more could we ask?
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BornInFD
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08-21-08 11:10 AM
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the owner wants it called the No Tell Motel because when customers leave after their horrible experience, he hopes they don't tell the health inspector. I am confused by his keeping the name even though corporate says it is no longer a part of their chain. To stay open under that name would be trademark infringement, would it not? Trivedi - seems like you have been having a bad day everytime they show up to inspect that*****hole. You should be fined as it is you who probably kisses the inspectors butt when they are there and as soon as they leave - business as usual.
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mythoughts
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08-21-08 10:45 AM
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OMG - These hotel names are hilarious! Does Quality Inn honestly think just by changing the name, it's actually going to change the way people view it? Give me a break.
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TheConservative
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08-21-08 9:27 AM
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The "Drug" Connection
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yougonow
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08-21-08 9:20 AM
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My favorite quote I've heard about the place is "Those are not raisins in the Raisin Bran!!" I give credit to my co-worker for that one! I love the quote from the owner about everything going according to plan. What kind of plan includes rats and bed bugs?
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Dejavue
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08-21-08 8:23 AM
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Parasite Villa? Motto: We provide company all through the night.
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crimecop
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08-21-08 5:25 AM
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"Not-So-Swell Motel" "Creepy's Critter Inn" "The Rats-Carlton Resort"
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internetranger
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08-21-08 1:49 AM
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"Dumpsite Inn" or maybe "No Sleep Tonight Hotel"
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NamVet
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08-21-08 12:30 AM
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Let's have some fun with some possible new names for this dump. We should have a contest for best name, winner gets a free weekend at the "Questionable Inn" or the "Bed Bug Hotel" Let's here some other names....
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