Late-night plans, a tight budget, and a hotel booked in Texas seemed like a simple enough combination. For one college student, it was just a place to sleep after a concert. Nothing more, nothing less. The booking looked harmless, the price felt right, and there was no reason to expect trouble. That is, until her Uber driver hit her with a creepy warning.
The student, Alexis Francesca Muniz, was responsible for finding a place to stay while traveling with friends to San Marcos for a concert. Like many young travelers, they wanted to keep costs down and avoid overpriced hotels. While browsing a third-party booking site, she noticed favorable reviews for a Red Roof Inn. Unfamiliar with the brand and trusting the ratings shown on that platform, she made the reservation.
It wasn’t until arrival that the reality of the situation became clear. The building itself appeared rundown and poorly maintained, with worn interiors and an unsettling mix of people lingering around the property. Inside, the furnishings looked tired and unclean, and the general condition of the hotel felt neglected.
Texas Woman’s Night With Friends Takes Unsettling Turn
Things grew stranger at the front desk. Muniz learned there was an age requirement she didn’t meet. After pleading, the clerk allowed her to stay. But delivered a warning that didn’t make sense at the time. She was told her friends couldn’t stay with her. The reason would soon become painfully clear.
After noticing unsettling behavior around the property, Muniz left with her friends to attend the concert, planning to return later. That plan nearly unraveled when multiple ride-share drivers canceled on them without explanation. Eventually, one Uber driver accepted the request even though he was far away and coming from another city.
As they approached the hotel, the driver asked where they were staying. When he heard the name, his tone shifted. He didn’t want to scare them, but he felt compelled to say something. He warned them to be extremely careful and made it clear that this was not a place where young women should be staying alone.
Disgusting Conditions and Fear Makes For Sleepless Night
Once back inside their room, the pieces fell into place. Stained mattresses, filthy surfaces, and an overall sense of neglect made the warning impossible to ignore. Fear kept them awake through the night, and they left at first light.
Muniz later discovered her experience wasn’t unique. Red Roof Inn has been repeatedly named in legal cases involving human trafficking across the United States. In 2024, the company settled a lawsuit brought by trafficking victims who alleged the chain knowingly allowed abuse to occur at multiple locations nationwide.
Several well-known cases pointed to properties in major cities, including locations in Texas such as Houston and Dallas, as well as nearby cities like San Antonio and Austin. While the San Marcos location itself was not formally listed, the proximity of other flagged properties added to the concern. Victims described repeated, visible abuse that they claimed would have been impossible for hotel staff to overlook.
Lessons Learned
In later reflections, Muniz expressed relief knowing she wasn’t alone. While her stay didn’t involve physical harm, the environment alone was enough to leave a lasting impact. Reviews she later read described mold-filled bathrooms, mysterious marks on doors, and even health issues linked to unclean bedding.
Her story adds to a growing chorus of travelers urging caution, especially when booking budget hotels through third-party sites. Travelers, in particular, are being reminded that cheap accommodations can sometimes come with hidden risks.
“Stayed there once with my family as a kid & I have never been more scared in my entire life. We had people banging on our door randomly,” one commenter shares.
“I learned my lesson,” another adds. “It was so creepy.”
What began as a simple Texas concert trip turned into a sobering lesson about trust, safety, and listening to your instincts. Muniz’s experience serves as a warning that when discomfort shows up early, it’s often trying to say something important
Sabrina Russell 
Nina Franklin 
Hunter Spears 
