FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – They claim to do everything to make your stay affordable and enjoyable, but some guests and neighbors say things at the Crossland Economy Studios is anything but.
"This is a house of ill repute. There is a lot of stuff going on at this motel that shouldn't be," one man checking out of the motel told Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff Weinsier.
Crossland Economy Studios is located at 3031 W. Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.
Weinsier was first alerted to the motel due to a recent bed bug issue.
State records show recent bed bug activity in room 211, including "old blood spots on the mattress." Of the 104 consumer reviews on TripAdvisor, 75 rate their stay and the conditions as poor or terrible.
Guests wrote, "The worst experience of my life," "Horrible is an understatement," "Terrifying" and "Someone broke into my room through the window while I was sleeping."
Guests write of rampant drug dealing and prostitution. One motel guest wrote, "I've never been so scared in my life."
A woman walking into the property with a baby said everything people have been writing is true.
"Yes, it's true. I'm waiting for my husband to come back so we can move out," said the woman, who asked not to be identified.
"There is a lot of prostitution," said Chris Cowthorne, who lives in a townhouse next to the motel.
"It's notorious for drugs," said Cameron Patel, another neighbor.
Records show more than 300 calls for police and fire rescue service at the motel in the last six months. Among the issues are disturbances, narcotics, theft and burglary.
The general manger of Crossland Economy Studios kicked Weinsier off the property.
"I can't have you on the property," he said.
Crossland Economy Studios is owned by Extended Stay America, which is the largest owner and operator of company-branded hotels in North America. It owns and operates 682 hotels in the U.S. and Canada, comprising approximately 76,000 rooms.
No one from Extended Stay America returned emails and phone messages.
"We are fully aware it," said Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Deeana Greenlaw. "We have officers who are in an undercover capacity and we do not release their operations for a safety issue."
Greenlaw said the Police Department does have a nuisance and abatement unit, and if it determined there is a constant problem, a trend with narcotics being sold at the location, they would start an investigation as well.