La Malbaie · Canada
La Secousse
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Google Maps
BEDBUGS & A CONCERNING HANDLING OF THE SITUATION BY STAFF Concerning the handling of a bedbug infestation: After our first night, we awoke with multiple bites and immediately informed the staff. Our concerns were dismissed, and no inspection or action was taken. After the second night, the problem worsened, with additional bites appearing. Despite raising the issue repeatedly, we were met with deflection and inappropriate comments such as: “Do not tell anyone.” “Why are you checking your bed—you’re supposed to be enjoying your vacation.” Complaints about having to manage staff. “You brought in the bedbugs.” These responses were deeply unprofessional. At a minimum, staff should have immediately inspected the premises and taken urgent steps to control the problem. While I understand that bedbugs can appear unexpectedly and are not necessarily within a hostel’s control, the way the situation was handled is entirely within your responsibility. Dismissing guest concerns and delaying inspection for over 36 hours—until after we had checked out—falls far below acceptable standards of hygiene, management, and customer care. The staff's inaction, dismissal, and lack of urgency over our concern also suggests that they may have known about the issue beforehand and chosen to accept new guests anyway. This inaction not only jeopardized current guests but also future visitors. Only after our departure did the staff confirm finding multiple bugs, further demonstrating the lack of timely intervention. The way this situation was handled raises serious concern that appropriate measures may not be in place to ensure that current and future guests are protected from exposure to the infestation to the best of the hostel’s ability. It is unfortunate, as the hostel itself is a beautiful space in an excellent location with great amenities. However, these positives are overshadowed when such a basic issue of cleanliness and guest safety is handled so poorly.
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Vibe Analysis
La Secousse sits right by the St. Lawrence in La Malbaie, with the bay and river view doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The terrace, small garden, and fire pit make the waterfront setting feel easy to use, especially for breakfast outside or a low-key evening drink. The pub-restaurant is a real part of the stay, not just a side room. It can have music, local beer, good food, pizza from a proper pizza oven, and a relaxed bar mood that gives the place more pulse than a plain bed stop. There are also two friendly huskies around the main floor, which adds charm if dogs are your thing and makes it a bad fit if allergies are in play. Rooms can be simple and uneven. Private rooms may have strong views, balconies, nice decoration, and enough space, while dorm life is more rudimentary: basement areas can feel dark, beds may lack curtains, and sound travels easily from the bar, halls, bathrooms, and nearby rooms. This is best for an unfussy stay with a social, slightly scrappy hostel rhythm, a good location in the village, and a waterfront breakfast or beer as the main event. It is less convincing as a quiet, polished, hotel-style sleep machine.
Signals to check
- Cleanliness can be inconsistent, especially in the kitchen, dorm areas, fridges, and shared spaces.
- Noise can carry through thin walls, from the pub, hallways, bathrooms, and other rooms.
- Dorms may feel basic, dark, mixed, and low on privacy, with limited shared bathroom capacity.
- Breakfast, reception availability, towels, bedding, and kitchen access may vary by timing or season.
- Dogs are present on the property, which may not work for allergies or anyone who dislikes dogs.