I could write about what others have before from my family’s own experience over Memorial Day weekend 2022: the rusty metal door frames, the water-damaged and peeling ceilings, the “interesting stains” on the rugs, the filth behind and under furniture, even that the hotel claims to be entirely smoke-free yet reeks incredibly like a 1990s bar of both stale and fresh cigarette smoke. Everywhere. But no, I’ll write instead of actual violations of safety, health, and building and fire codes. *USDA and FDA food refrigeration guidelines state that refrigerators shall be kept at or below 40-deg (F). By law, Grade A milk must be maintained at a temperature of 45 °F or below. On Monday, 5/30/2022, 8:34am, the refrigerator in the common breakfast area where hotel guests access milk, yogurts, and other perishables was observed to be at 54-deg (F) during the entire time present in the breakfast area (~45min), even rising to 55-deg (F). *The door of Room 204 did not close and latch on it’s own. CT Fire Code: 29.3.6.2.3 “Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall be self-closing and self-latching.” Failure to keep or maintain such doors exposes the hotel to liability for a “Class C immediately hazardous violation” in violation of NFPA 80: Standard for Fire Doors *While not necessarily in violation of CT Building Codes, the initial assigned room door did not have a fully functional security swing bar lock, with half of the hardware completely missing. While checking out the following morning, the front desk employee inquired how our stay was. I replied “Less than ideal”. When prompted by her question asking specifics, I brought up the cigarette smoke issue, as well as the above mentioned violations. As I continued describing these issues, the front desk employee’s demeanor changed as she began to develop a snide and snarky snarl across her face. Her only response was to say “Have a nice day”. I do not recommend this Clarion Hotel and Suites in Hamden, CT. At all. It is unhealthy, unsafe, and in clear violation of various health, safety, and building fire codes.
