Horror photos inside Cecil Hotel after check-in — Guests: Never seen such a terrible hotel

Reported by You Tzu-ju / Compiled by staff

Canadian-Chinese female student Elisa Lam went missing under mysterious circumstances. Her body was found in the rooftop water tank of the hotel she was staying at on the morning of the 20th this month, Taiwan time. The last footage of her in an elevator has sparked speculation during this period. The Cecil Hotel, where the last known footage of Elisa Lam was taken and located in downtown Los Angeles, offers extremely low room rates. A search online for this hotel turns up a series of "horror photos" from inside the property.

 
▲%Crowded, dirty, moldy, and with flickering lights, the elevator where Lam was last seen is now infamous. (Image / Provided by the guest)
 


▲Netizen-uploaded photo of the lobby after actual stay. (Photo / From Daodao.com)

A reporter searched online for reviews from former guests of the Cecil Hotel. Many said they had "never stayed in such a terrible hotel" and warned, "Absolutely do not let your sisters, mothers, or any women stay here alone." One guest specifically reminded prospective travelers who read the reviews that although the hotel is in the city center, it is actually in a very poor location, and advised against risking their lives. Other netizens uploaded actual photos from their stays, showing multiple areas of water damage on the walls, rust-covered faucets, and dimly lit bathrooms, reflecting a huge gap between the hotel’s website images and the reality.

An online search for Cecil Hotel room rates shows that a basic double room in early March costs $65 USD per night, approximately NT$1,950. For comparison, a single bed in an eight-person dormitory at a youth hostel in downtown Los Angeles is nearly NT$1,000. The Cecil Hotel’s double room costs less than NT$1,000 per person — unbelievably cheap.


▲%Image from the official website showing the interior. (Photo / From the Cecil Hotel official site)
 

Judging solely by location and price, the Cecil Hotel has the advantages of convenience and affordability. But anyone familiar with L.A. knows that the area has a high crime rate, with many homeless people and drug users occupying street corners. Unless traveling with others or being well-acquainted with the local area, it is generally not recommended to choose this place as a travel accommodation. Without browsing relevant information about the hotel, it is difficult to get an accurate picture.

Travelers are especially reminded that when choosing a hotel abroad, in addition to comparing prices, they should also check the “guest reviews.” Moreover, many booking websites now allow guests to upload photos taken during their stay. Independent travelers booking hotels on their own may want to search across multiple booking platforms, compare guest experiences, related information, and on-site photos to understand the actual condition of the property, in order to avoid ending up in a “horror hotel.”