Howard Johnson Anaheim Room, pool and jacuzzi Review

[blackjackdelta]

I clicked on this link just to see what you posted! I always value your posts/opinions on this board.

I love the Hojo; we have only stayed there once, but the service and quality was unbelievable for the price. We plan to stay there every time we go in the future. The staff encouraged us to go to the parks reassuring us they would put away our Vons grocery order, and they did so perfectly! They have once again offered to do so for us on our next trip (we may be an hour late to check in from when they deliver the groceries, but they said they would take care of it for us!) Lorealle and Jennifer are *so* nice, as is the rest of the staff. The hotel cleaning staff is unbelievably friendly and happy, too- they are very hard workers, and wonderful people! I can't understand a lick of Spanish, yet I was able to convey (via playing charades ) to cleaning staff that 1.) I was sick and couldn't have the room cleaned as I needed to sleep, 2.) Could I please have decaff coffee (they didn't have any but I understand that they do now.) and 3.) Could I please have some towels, glasses, and have the wastebaskets emptied. She did all that! Awesome lady, she was in our room daily and did a great job cleaning. We had a minor internet problem upon our arrival but it was resolved straight away after I called the help desk. I loved how fresh and clean the linens smelled and looked. Cleaner than what I can get ours at home, it seemed. The bathroom was older, yes, BUT was very clean. They also had a cool 'hidden Pinocchio' in the tub area if you looked carefully. I didn't think to look at the vents, but I don't usually do so. The Pirates Cove area at the Hojo was the highlight of our kids vacation, Disneyland and CAP included!! I can't recall how much foam was in the water in the hot tub, but so long as a person doesn't submerge, and so long as they go back to their rooms and wash off, likely no big deal. I am a self-admitted germ freak, and value cleanliness in a hotel, and I found all that during our stay at the Hojo. I also loved the gift shop! Everything we needed was there. Our sunglasses that we purchased broke the same day, and they exchanged them for new ones the next day when we returned to the gift shop. The free wired internet was great, as were the in-room safes. The walk was an easy 7-8 minute walk to Disneyland. Tons of restaurants nearby. Free internet kiosks in the lobby. Great coffee makers in the room. I'm looking forward to our next stay there. The report didn't change my mind, and she (OP) said she would still stay there as well, again sometime. She probably just found it odd/not in character with the Hojo, and so now they will remedy whatever needed to be remedied, and things are all good now.

What I meant to say is all places have problems. DSF has every right to voice an opinion about what she obsereved. I am stay in this weird looking hotel in Dubai and it is costing the company $$$$$ and it still has HK/service problems. You find things like DSF's observations everywhere and at least Lorealle is working on a solution. I must admit that my hottub at home does not look like the one in the picture.

Jack

Sent from my iPhone

 

[jory29]

What I meant to say is all places have problems. DSF has every right to voice an opinion about what she obsereved. I am stay in this weird looking hotel in Dubai and it is costing the company $$$$$ and it still has HK/service problems. You find things like DSF's observations everywhere and at least Lorealle is working on a solution. I must admit that my hottub at home does not look like the one in the picture.

Jack

Sent from my iPhone

Thanks for coming back to this thread to post; you make valid points. Dubai, wow, that would be awesome to be there. Hopefully you'll post some pics. with a link somewhere were we can see them! have a good stay there. Safe travels home.

 

[50sjayne]

I felt kinda torn like Jack. The original poster seemed reasonable, then a bit defensive and it opened up a can of worms on the board. In some bad way I felt like just letting it go because I don't want the hotel becoming so popular we can't afford it getting expensive, which I think is what's happened lately-- not the expensive part but with so many glowing reviews and word of mouth...I know it was sold out when we were there by peeking at the computer through the window at about 6:30 in the am. We didn't have any problems when we were there with anything--at all and we're actually kind of picky anymore as frequent priceline customers. Yeah I'm very much a pro at Priceline. Your basic motel doesn't do it for us anymore. I have no desire to use Priceline for Anaheim as long as I know HOJO is operating. We were so excited to be at Disneyland we really had no time to bring along our magnifying glasses or be ocd about jacuzzis though really.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

What I meant to say is all places have problems. DSF has every right to voice an opinion about what she obsereved. I am stay in this weird looking hotel in Dubai and it is costing the company $$$$$ and it still has HK/service problems. You find things like DSF's observations everywhere and at least Lorealle is working on a solution. I must admit that my hottub at home does not look like the one in the picture.
Jack Sent from my iPhone

Jack, you're right all places have issues and it is a good thing that Hojos is customer service oriented enough to try to correct those issues. That's why I recommend people stay at the hotels and chains like Hojos and Fairfield Inn (Marriott) because at least if something goes wrong there you have people who care enough to address the issues/complaints. I know in the past you posted that you liked, was it , Residence Inn on Clementine? IIRC? Or one of those chain hotels for the amenities, close enough walk and service. A lot of the other privately owned motels across the street from the entrance leave a lot to be desired in the customer service arena. I often have wondered if it's because they have no affiliation with a larger chain and therefore lower standards or if it's because they just don't care because they know they'll likely sell out anyway due to location and price compared to the DLR hotels.

I felt kinda torn like Jack. The original poster seemed reasonable, then a bit defensive and it opened up a can of worms on the board. In some bad way I felt like just letting it go because I don't want the hotel becoming so popular we can't afford it getting expensive, which I think is what's happened lately-- not the expensive part but with so many glowing reviews and word of mouth...I know it was sold out when we were there by peeking at the computer through the window at about 6:30 in the am. We didn't have any problems when we were there with anything--at all and we're actually kind of picky anymore as frequent priceline customers. Yeah I'm very much a pro at Priceline. Your basic motel doesn't do it for us anymore. I have no desire to use Priceline for Anaheim as long as I know HOJO is operating. We were so excited to be at Disneyland we really had no time to bring along our magnifying glasses or be ocd about jacuzzis though really.

I'm sorry you felt torn or that I was being defensive. That was never my intention. In fact, I apologize if anyone felt I was being antagonistic at all towards Hojos, Lorealle or them. (I already apologized in another post on another thread to Lorealle directly for any antagonistic responses when I thought they didn't care about the issues there.) I simply thought that I should post my honest review of our stay there and the conditions we encountered, especially since there really were no responses when I inquired about the King rooms. I knew I would take some heat for posting a negative review about Hojos, but I felt I needed to be honest and true to myself.
All along, I've felt that I am sure there are places closer to the crosswalk that have even worse conditions. (I've stayed in some of them in years past!) I probably should have posted that to my initial thread so all the Hojo loyalists wouldn't feel I was targeting Hojos to try to make them look bad. That was really not my intention. I really thought that people would appreciate an honest, unbiased review from someone who liked Hojos and would stay there again for the right price, and that's what I tried to give.

 

[rossip]

Jacuzzi Foam:: There are many personal grooming items [hair products, detergents, deoderant, perfumes, lotions, etc.] that we use that act as foaming agents as well as outside materials [from walking around barefoot before getting in, etc.] that are tracked into the hot tub by guests. There are also swimsuit materials that cause the foam to really soap up. Unfortunately, we just cannot control all of these things. At this time, our Management does not want to shut down either Castaway Cove or the Garden Pool in the afternoons for a second round of maintenance, but I do want to stress that our Maintenance Department is vigilant and dedicated to the cleanliness of both our Garden Pool and Castaway Cove, and they prioritize the cleaning of both of these facilities daily.
Lorealle

All very true - BUT it can also be caused , and is the most common reason why you get the foam , by detergents being used to scrub and clean the tiles or disinfectants being hosed around the neighboring deck areas.

BUt Foam in a spa does not necessarily indicate poor maintenance

 

[drag n' fly]

The only comment I have is.....I wish I had to be concerned about having to put up with a Keurig in my room with nice Columbian coffee..

P.s...Crank up the heat in the pool Lorealle even us Canuckies up north find it a bit cool!

 

[bardays]

I became OBSESSED with this thread shortly before my recent trip. We just got back last night from a week @ Hojo. The first thing I did was check the bathroom vent..and yes it was EXACTLY like the photo....really gross.
The ceiling in the shower area was badly cracked and white stuff was coming out of the cracks. The tiles were all coming away from the ceiling too.
The room was dusty, the light switches filthy...ewww. I dropped something behind the tap, and omg....so gross back there!!! black and fuzzy....The internet between the 2 beds makes you go ???? but I guess that is where the phone jack is, but it was very awkward.

But.....the beds were comfy, the location great, service good, we liked the coffee...my son LOVED the water park. We got the Entertainment rate for most of our nights, so I too feel I got what I paid for.

I would be less than happy had I paid full price for this room

We were in building one, first floor.

 

[ms_disney_freak]

Going to disney at xmas time and was wondering if anyone has pictures or review on this HOJO, got a good deal, the neighboring hotels are pricey at holiday time especially for 9 days! Anyways sharing with Dsister which makes it an even better deal, wondering if anyone has had any problems, with space or anything like that? There will be a few kids with us..a reply or pics would be a big help

 

[bardays]

The best rate is the Entertainment Rate with the Entertainment card...not sure if they would have that during Christmas though. They do have kids suites too, which people seem to love.

The Hojo Anaheim has its very own discussion board. Check it out...lots of great info!

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/index.php?sid=391004fa6142b27ce8f4addffcd4a0f3

 

[jory29]

I became OBSESSED with this thread shortly before my recent trip. We just got back last night from a week @ Hojo. The first thing I did was check the bathroom vent..and yes it was EXACTLY like the photo....really gross.
The ceiling in the shower area was badly cracked and white stuff was coming out of the cracks. The tiles were all coming away from the ceiling too.
The room was dusty, the light switches filthy...ewww. I dropped something behind the tap, and omg....so gross back there!!! black and fuzzy....The internet between the 2 beds makes you go ???? but I guess that is where the phone jack is, but it was very awkward.

But.....the beds were comfy, the location great, service good, we liked the coffee...my son LOVED the water park. We got the Entertainment rate for most of our nights, so I too feel I got what I paid for.

I would be less than happy had I paid full price for this room

We were in building one, first floor.

I can vouch that Lorealle's team is definitely doing their rounds Re: the vents; one day during our stay from the 12th - 19th I came back to the room to see a 'maintenance' sign on our door. Turns out the staff was vacuuming out a vent (air conditioning vent.) It looked *great* afterwards. It might take them a little while to get to all of the rooms, but they are definitely working on it. Kudos to them! Water temp. in the main pool seemed a little coolish upon entering, (we're from Northern Canada and even on the rainy days in the park that week thought it was nice and warm outside) but it didn't take long to adjust to the water once in. This was on a couple of very very hot days, mind you. I didn't walk over to the hot tub, we were too busy fighting the crowds at DL to take the time to relax. The kids did go to the Pirate's Cove a couple of times, and really enjoyed it.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I became OBSESSED with this thread shortly before my recent trip. We just got back last night from a week @ Hojo. The first thing I did was check the bathroom vent..and yes it was EXACTLY like the photo....really gross.
The ceiling in the shower area was badly cracked and white stuff was coming out of the cracks. The tiles were all coming away from the ceiling too.
The room was dusty, the light switches filthy...ewww. I dropped something behind the tap, and omg....so gross back there!!! black and fuzzy....The internet between the 2 beds makes you go ???? but I guess that is where the phone jack is, but it was very awkward.

But.....the beds were comfy, the location great, service good, we liked the coffee...my son LOVED the water park. We got the Entertainment rate for most of our nights, so I too feel I got what I paid for.

I would be less than happy had I paid full price for this room

We were in building one, first floor.

Wow, what a bummer that you encountered the same (or even worse) situations than we had in our room. Black and fuzzy behind the tap doesn't sound too good. When I think of black and fuzzy I think of toxic black mold; it's not good for anyone to be breathing that stuff in.
I do hope that they are working on correcting it sooner rather than later.

 

[Karlzmom]

Great review...provided not only the OPs subjectiveimpression/opinions, but also included objectiveevidence of the rooms condition -the photos. Each of us can make up our own mind as to whether or not the room condition will "work" for us. One of the best parts of the DIS is the sharing of experiences, good and bad. I certainly value the opinions of my fellow posters, and truly enjoy being given facts to permit me to make up my own mind. I am personally grateful for the vent pics, as we are taking my dad who had a lung transplant last year and the amount of dust is worrisome. ..not sure what I will do, but definately merits some thought.

It is a bit distressing that there seems to be a trend towards jumping all over any opinons offered. It is possible that two people may have different experiences at the same location. Neither is "wrong". Each should be able to state their experience, without being made feel like they are somehow "nitpicky" or some other backhanded put-down....remember, to each his own.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Great review...provided not only the OPs subjectiveimpression/opinions, but also included objectiveevidence of the rooms condition -the photos. Each of us can make up our own mind as to whether or not the room condition will "work" for us. One of the best parts of the DIS is the sharing of experiences, good and bad. I certainly value the opinions of my fellow posters, and truly enjoy being given facts to permit me to make up my own mind. I am personally grateful for the vent pics, as we are taking my dad who had a lung transplant last year and the amount of dust is worrisome. ..not sure what I will do, but definately merits some thought.

It is a bit distressing that there seems to be a trend towards jumping all over any opinons offered. It is possible that two people may have different experiences at the same location. Neither is "wrong". Each should be able to state their experience, without being made feel like they are somehow "nitpicky" or some other backhanded put-down....remember, to each his own.

Thank you Karlzmom. I am so glad that the photos have come in handy for you, even though I knew it wouldn't make me a lot of friends by posting it, I felt the photos could potentially help someone. I personally want to see hard evidence if I hear a complaint about a hotel. I feel like, show me the photos so I can see it for myself and make my own decisions. So that's what I tried to do when posting my review. I appreciate your thoughts...

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I googled info regarding hot tub foam and health, and one thing lead to another and anyway, I found out a lot about hot tubs. Yes, many things cause foam to build up, but not just the ones previously mentioned by HojoAnaheim. In addition to that, yes, there are dead skin cells and many other bacteria and viruses that thrive in the higher temps of a hot tub that can't be killed by chlorine like Legionaires Disease (a form of pneumonia) and TB which become areosolized by the bubbles.
In this link I found this info:

Legionella are a particular problem in spa baths because
· the water is at an optimum temperature for them to grow;
· dirt, dead skin cells etc from the people using them accumulate providing food;
· the piping for the air and water circulation provide a large surface area for the bacteria to grow on; and
· the agitated water forms aerosols and spray via which the bacteria can be
breathed in.

This link writes about Hot Tub Lung, Folliculitis, Genital Herpes and other health problems associated with hot tub use.
This site says the following:

Hot tub foam can be the result of many factors. The most common cause of foam is the particles that are released from bathers when they first enter the spa. Dead skin cells, bacteria, residue from swimsuits and particles from tanning or body lotions are the most common reasons for the foam at the top of the water. These particles, combined with the particles released during chemical applications, can result in a high amount of total dissolved solids in the water. The higher the total dissolved solids in the water, the more foam you will acquire in your hot tub. <snip>
If you are concerned with the way your hot tub looks with the foam, a defoamer will be an effective solution to your problem. However, if you are concerned with the health issues related to the foam, a defoamer is not an effective solution. The best way to ensure both the foam and the health concerns are eliminated is to completely empty the existing water in your hot tub and replace it with new, fresh water. This should be done approximately every three months in order to ensure healthy water, even if there is no foam in your hot tub.

This article states:

Chlorine which is normally used to provide benefit in swimming pools becomes ineffective at a water temperature in excess of 80 degrees and therefore cannot be relied upon to keep your hot tub bacteria free and you will need to use hot tub chemicals instead

Here's one from Montana State University:

They also hover in the mist above hot tubs and swim with you in pools. Before you ease onto those pulsating jets of water to soothe your aches and pains, consider that the bacteria in indoor hot tubs, pools, and even decorative fountains and waterfalls may pose a health risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has tracked respiratory infections associated with hot tubs and pool use for some time.

Researchers attribute hot tub lung to bacteria that thrive in the slime on pipes and other wet surfaces. This slime forms as bacteria settle on a surface and begin to secrete a gluey, adhesive substance. That bacteria-laden slime, which is known as a biofilm, forms in the pipes and filters of hot tubs. The tub's powerful jets force some of the biofilm free, and tiny biofilm flakes bubble to the surface and aerosolize into the mist, which people soaking in the tub inhale.

This article was very scary and interesting because they are saying that you can be exposed to the same type of bacteria and inhale it in your own home if you have shower curtains that have slime on it or pipes, etc with slime on it. The chemicals don't kill the slime that releases the bacteria. The only way is to drain, dry out and scrub, scrub, scrub.

This article was interesting. The guy was a former pool service technician:

The chemicals used to sanitize pools and spas works the same in hot or cold temperatures. The problem in hot tubs, especially the commercial ones, is that germs bread in them. Chlorine does not kill staph, strep, and T.B. germs and the pseudomonous bacteria and molds that grow on the ear drum that causes so called "swimmer's ear." This is why hospitals use a variety of sanitizing methods and do not simply rely on chlorinated sanitizers.

If the pH of the water is above 7.6, the effectiveness of the chlorine that is in there is diminished greatly as the pH rises. Ammonia from sweat, perspiration, and urine gets in the water from people using the tub and combines with the chlorine to form chloramines that tie up the germ killing action of chlorine. In fact, the chlorine smell you sense when around public pools is due to these chloramines, not the free chlorine that does the killing of bacteria. So basically, the more chlorine odor you smell in public pools, the worse it is probably working. About the only way you will know if chlorine is being effective is to take the pH of the water and if it is above 7.6 to 7.8, you've got a problem. The short answer to your question is YES, you can get sick from soaking in a hot tub.

Also there's this link which states a lot of similar info.

And a scary story about one persons family who got seriously ill at a hot tub:

...never, ever, ever get in a public hot tub!!! I cannot stress this enough. My daughter and husband got in a hot tub at a very nice, expensive, brand new hotel last weekend. They played for a few days, in and out of the pool/hot tub, and then on the way home on Sunday, we noticed that they both had a strange rash.
Well...my husband spent the entire week in the hospital, and my daughter was at the ER 2x, and they wanted to admit her...but I begged them to give her one more day on the new antibiotic. (They were both on 2 different oral antibiotics before anything worked.)
They caught a bacterial infection called pseudomonas folliculitis...and then staph on top of all of that. It was disgusting. There was another family travelling with us, and 4 out of 5 members of their family got the infection, along with an entire youth group from TN!!
The bacteria was raging through their bodies, and it was resistant to almost every antibiotic. The only one that worked was Vancomycin (IV med).

I just have to say, after reading these articles, I know I did the right thing in not going all the way into the Jacuzzi, and I will never go into a public jacuzzi ever again. Even sitting on the ledge is not safe because you could be exposed to Genital Herpes on areas that don't constantly come in contact with the chemicals to kill it. I seriously doubt that a jacuzzi is supposed to look that foamy, and with all the dead skin cells floating on top of it, that it's healthy for us to be going into it. One other thing I wanted to add is that I've never seen another jacuzzi that foamy anywhere, in any of my previous hotels stays, at any other property, that was being used by people.
ETA: For all the parents of young kids, they are at the highest risk when going into hot tubs because they tend to stay in it longer. Maybe they should have moved the jacuzzi over to where the garden pool is.

 

[Leggyb]

Thanks Disneysuitefreak! That story is terrifying!!!

Those pictures of the hot tub you posted were disgusting. And I cannot BELIEVE the amount of people who were trying to justify why it was foamy like that! Unbelievable! To me, it doesn't matter if it was detergent or soap or if it is not the pool maintanance fault. It is still NOT sanitary. I hope that people get the chance to read the article. Oh geez it gives me the heeby jeebies!!!

P.S. I am a MAJOR germ freak. That should be my screen name.

P.P.S. To all the Hojo loyalists.. I am not trying to offend you guys. Its just no one should get into ANY hot tub that looks like that. Ever. Not trying to pick on the Hojo's hot tub.. it's just any hot tub in general!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks Disneysuitefreak! That story is terrifying!!!

Those pictures of the hot tub you posted were disgusting. And I cannot BELIEVE the amount of people who were trying to justify why it was foamy like that! Unbelievable! To me, it doesn't matter if it was detergent or soap or if it is not the pool maintanance fault. It is still NOT sanitary. I hope that people get the chance to read the article. Oh geez it gives me the heeby jeebies!!!

P.S. I am a MAJOR germ freak. That should be my screen name.

P.P.S. To all the Hojo loyalists.. I am not trying to offend you guys. Its just no one should get into ANY hot tub that looks like that. Ever. Not trying to pick on the Hojo's hot tub.. it's just any hot tub in general!

You're welcome! I have too much time on my hands because I am home sick with the flu So when this thread popped up again I decided to google for more info. I honestly couldn't believe it either...I am also a germ freak because of pre-existing health conditions so cleanliness and things being sanitary are important to me for obvious reasons. I was surprised that so many thought I was attacking Hojos or felt the need to defend them and justify the conditions. You are absolutely correct, these conditions shouldn't be happening in any hot tub and people should avoid going in if they see it in this kind of condition. Also, as per the article above, if you smell a strong chlorine smell, it's because the chlorine is interacting with the ammonia in urine and perspiration and therefore not working as effectively as it should be to kill bacteria/viruses; so that would be something to strongly consider before going into any public pool/jacuzzi.

 

[ashpinoza]

I googled info regarding hot tub foam and health, and one thing lead to another and anyway, I found out a lot about hot tubs. Yes, many things cause foam to build up, but not just the ones previously mentioned by HojoAnaheim. In addition to that, yes, there are dead skin cells and many other bacteria and viruses that thrive in the higher temps of a hot tub that can't be killed by chlorine like Legionaires Disease (a form of pneumonia) and TB which become areosolized by the bubbles.
In this link I found this info:


This link writes about Hot Tub Lung, Folliculitis, Genital Herpes and other health problems associated with hot tub use.
This site says the following:

This article states:
Here's one from Montana State University:

This article was very scary and interesting because they are saying that you can be exposed to the same type of bacteria and inhale it in your own home if you have shower curtains that have slime on it or pipes, etc with slime on it. The chemicals don't kill the slime that releases the bacteria. The only way is to drain, dry out and scrub, scrub, scrub.

This article was interesting. The guy was a former pool service technician:
Also there's this link which states a lot of similar info.

And a scary story about one persons family who got seriously ill at a hot tub:

I just have to say, after reading these articles, I know I did the right thing in not going all the way into the Jacuzzi, and I will never go into a public jacuzzi ever again. Even sitting on the ledge is not safe because you could be exposed to Genital Herpes on areas that don't constantly come in contact with the chemicals to kill it. I seriously doubt that a jacuzzi is supposed to look that foamy, and with all the dead skin cells floating on top of it, that it's healthy for us to be going into it. One other thing I wanted to add is that I've never seen another jacuzzi that foamy anywhere, in any of my previous hotels stays, at any other property, that was being used by people.
ETA: For all the parents of young kids, they are at the highest risk when going into hot tubs because they tend to stay in it longer. Maybe they should have moved the jacuzzi over to where the garden pool is.

i do agree with some of the things you are saying. however....i think that most of this is for VERY overly paranoid people. honestly. because 90% of people who use public hot tubs are FINE and enjoying their hot tub. and also, most of these ailments can be picked up in MANY places. take the herpes for example, public toilets. i do NOT use public restrooms unless i have to no matter what. and other than genital, oral herpes can also live on a surface abou the same time as your article said genital herpes can, take being at work for example and someone eats lunch licks their fingers, puts their hand on the table. you come along after them and eat. set your hand on the table. dont even have to touch your face necessarily. if you have a cut even a paper cut on your hand and set it where that person left their invisible goods the herpes virus can enter there, and cause herpes there. and t.b is very transmitable and you can get this almost anywhere. so i must say i think most of this is for the most paranoid of people who dont live at all. dont sit on the ledge if your worried about herpes. i agree it was gross looking, and i also would not of gotten in it, like you said the thing that bothers me is what i CAN see, the skin cells. however im sure they are trying to take care of it!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Just got back from our Halloween weekend at HOJOs. The 2 Queen Standard room was spacious (had plenty of room for the pack n play) and we had a great time. My only complaint was that I had to fold my stroller* to get it through the hotel room door. We didn't have this problem at Portofino Inn & Suites. My in laws had a ADA access room and it just barely fit through their door. It was a pain to load and unload 2 sleeping babies from the hall.

*Please keep in mind we had a double (side by side) stroller. But the door way was very narrow.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

i do agree with some of the things you are saying. however....i think that most of this is for VERY overly paranoid people. honestly. because 90% of people who use public hot tubs are FINE and enjoying their hot tub. and also, most of these ailments can be picked up in MANY places. take the herpes for example, public toilets. i do NOT use public restrooms unless i have to no matter what. and other than genital, oral herpes can also live on a surface abou the same time as your article said genital herpes can, take being at work for example and someone eats lunch licks their fingers, puts their hand on the table. you come along after them and eat. set your hand on the table. dont even have to touch your face necessarily. if you have a cut even a paper cut on your hand and set it where that person left their invisible goods the herpes virus can enter there, and cause herpes there. and t.b is very transmitable and you can get this almost anywhere. so i must say i think most of this is for the most paranoid of people who dont live at all. dont sit on the ledge if your worried about herpes. i agree it was gross looking, and i also would not of gotten in it, like you said the thing that bothers me is what i CAN see, the skin cells. however im sure they are trying to take care of it!

Sorry, I'm not sure I completely understand your post. I don't think I'm 'very overly paranoid'. Unlike you, I do use public restrooms as long as it's clean and doesn't smell like a sewer or worse - just make sure to use a liner or don't sit on it. As far as picking up germs/herpes from table tops, etc. I agree it can and does happen through transference and that's where good hand washing, hygiene and alcohol based hand sanitizers come in to play to prevent illness. However, the Herpes virus usually doesn't live long outside of the body. It needs a warm, moist host. The jacuzzi deck can apparently be a host (according to those articles and what I've read) for up to 4.5 hours after exposure if it doesn't come incontact with chlorine. (Rather unlikely) Regular TB is spread through the air by being in the airspace of someone who has it. The strain of TB they are referencing in the links I posted can only be transmitted by using a jacuzzi or spa that has that particular type of bacteria growing in/on it and the bacteria has to be aerosolized from the heat/steam; the same applies to legionnaires disease. I'm not worried about Herpes so much (I would have my bathing suit on anyway which should provide an additional barrier). I would be more worried about sitting in other people's biological waste: i.e. the scum/stuff you can see floating on the foam; which is why I won't go in a public jacuzzi in that condition or if it has a strong chlorine smell ever again. With my history of severe asthma, I just don't think it's worth risking breathing in the wrong thing and risking getting legionnaires disease or MRSA. Nobody wants to go on vacation and come home with a potentially life threatening ailment. If there weren't many people who have experienced going on vacation, sitting in a jacuzzi and getting sick from lung or skin ailments after having done so, the CDC wouldn't have even bothered to take a 2nd look at it.
MRSA is no joke. My son's 35 year old, former high school vice principal stubbed his toe one day and 2 weeks later died from MRSA which entered through the extremely small cut on his toe. He had no other pre-existing health conditions.
At any rate, I'm sure that Hojos is working on the cleanliness issues.