CALABASAS, CA — A hotel stay in Calabasas took an upsetting turn when a guest said she woke up to ants in her room, around her bed, and even in her ear. Her account quickly spread online after she posted about the experience on TikTok, where the video topped 2 million views.

In the clips, she described contacting hotel staff and saying she did not feel her concern was handled well. She also said she chose to pack up and leave rather than spend another night in the room.

How the story spread online

The guest, who posts under the name wardrobewinter, shared video from The Anza Hotel and explained what happened during the stay. Viewers saw her recounting the complaint and describing ants on the floor, near the bed, and in her belongings.

She also said she reached out to the hotel’s corporate office, but did not get the resolution she wanted. In audio included with the video, a person she identified as a hotel employee said the insects were ants and were “just looking for water.”

That response became one of the most talked-about parts of the clip. Many commenters said the explanation did not matter if a guest had found insects in a sleeping area, and some said the situation would have been enough to make them leave immediately.

Other guest reviews mentioned ants too

The TikTok did not appear to be the only recent complaint mentioning ants at the hotel. A verified review from an August 2026 stay said a first room had ants, though the guest was moved after speaking up. An older Tripadvisor review from August 2025 also described ants in a room and in a bed.

At the same time, the hotel still holds mostly positive ratings on major travel platforms. Booking.com lists The Anza at 8.2 out of 10 based on more than 1,000 reviews, which suggests many guests have had better experiences.

For travelers, the story became a reminder of how quickly a routine overnight stay can turn into a stressful one. For the woman at the center of the video, the decision was simple: she gathered her things and left rather than risk another uncomfortable night.

Why the clip resonated with viewers

Part of the reaction came from how personal the complaint felt. People said they could easily imagine the shock of waking up and finding ants near the bed, or worse, inside an ear. Others said the idea alone made them feel uneasy.

The video also struck a nerve because it mixed a practical travel problem with a very human moment of frustration. Commenters focused on the guest’s wish for a better response and the expectation that a paid room should feel clean and safe.

Even with the jokes online, the larger takeaway was straightforward: when a traveler raises a serious comfort issue, a fast and helpful reply matters. In this case, the guest said the experience was enough to end her stay early and share the warning with others.

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