Once upon a time the Hollywood Hotel was considered the largest, most luxurious and costly hotel at NASCAR tracks. The portable Hotel was designed to host NASCAR’s elite and the guest list has included regular NASCARites such as Jeff Hammond, Chris Meyers and even former Vice President Dick Cheney.  On February 15, 2001 the Hotel officially opened and immediately captured the hearts of the American public.  However, as of late the Hollywood Hotel, unlike most others in the hotel chain’s stable of properties, was the sort of place where recent travelers have complained of bedbugs, stained mattresses, sinks clogged with hair, poor customer service, rude maids and a less than stellar pool.

NASCAR fans unlucky enough to stay the night in the Hollywood Hotel would ordinarily have little recourse for staying in the world’s most famous traveling hotel.  Recently though, guests of the hotel have filed complaints with the U.S. Public Health Department eventually leading to the hotel being closed down in December 2008, reopening just this year for the 2009 Daytona 500.

Fox Sports released a statement stating that, “We have temporarily shut the doors on NASCAR’s independently owned and operated Hollywood Hotel as of December 1, 2008, because of its failure to meet quality standards.”  According to some guests of the hotel, failure to meet quality standards is the understatement of the year.  Recent customers have expressed their distaste for the hotel on Tripadvisor.com by posting reviews like “The carpet was filthy, the sheets were soiled and the stench that came from underneath the broadcast desk was disgusting.” 

Another guest stated “Whatever you do, don’t stay in the Hollywood Hotel after Jeff Hammond and Chris Meyers stayed there.  It could pose a serious risk to your health.”  The U.S. Public Health Department tested the hotel after a recent race when Meyers and Hammond stayed and found that the ice buckets, phones, and clock radio were loaded with Escherichia coli.  These findings alone were enough to shut the hotel down and ban the duo from the hotel till the Budweiser Shootout.

Burt Windex, USPHD’s spokesman recommends that “Guests of an upscale hotel such as the Hollywood Hotel shouldn’t be subjected to these types of living conditions.  Guests are urged to contact the U.S. Public Health Department to express their concern if the Hollywood Hotel fails to properly clean and sanitize the room after Fox uses it on race weekends again.“