Royal Inn Motel Ordered Closed, Video Gives Inside Look at Conditions

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 1, 2017)

Royal Oak Township, MI – The Royal Inn Motel at 10900 W 8 Mile Rd in Royal Oak Township has been ordered to be closed down by Township officials after 17 fire code violations and 33 building code violations were discovered.  According to paperwork taped to the motel’s front windows, the building must be vacated by Sept. 5 and brought up to code within a week of closure.

The 200 room motel charges $35 per night plus $10 per night for guests.  Many of the guests are long term renters.

The motel was recently featured on “Another Dirty Room,” a You Tube based program that features Dan Bell and guests exploring the most notorious hotels and motels based on user reviews around the country.  The video shows that the mattress in the room was on the floor and infested with bed bugs. The fridge had cockroaches. The fixtures in the bathroom were covered in filth and disrepair. The glass on the window was broken. And many other problems were showcased.

The video (not made by OC Times) does include swear words and bad jokes, but it also sheds light on what residents of Royal Inn Motel experience:

The inspectors from Royal Oak Township also found similar conditions as they walked through.  Among the findings were:

-Animal feces and urine in hallways and rooms.  Trash and debris throughout.  Human waste and vomit in hallways.

-Bedbugs, cockroaches and other insects

-Failure to maintain smoke and fire alarm systems

-Failure to maintain means of egress

-It was found that large families are living in single room units with the closet being used as a bedroom

-Rooms were found with busted tub/shower units, also toilets inoperative

-Smoking and cooking in rooms

-Issues with windows and ventilation

Michael Shaw of the Michigan State Police said that officers from his department are called “at least four or five times a week.”

“We have been dispatched for assaults, prostitution, narcotics and overdose deaths,” Shaw said.

Phone calls to the motel seeking comment were not answered, but this post will be updated if there is a response by management.

Along with the notice, officials posted a list of resources for people who may need assistance finding housing.

(Another good resource for those struggling with housing and income issues can be found here.)