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Disaster holiday at resort

269 replies

Happywifehappylife18 · 20/06/2025 15:35

Long story shortish,
me, my partner, son and MIL have paid a huge amount to stay in a resort this week. After the first night MIL had what we thought to be mosquito bites all over her arms and chest. They were blistering and weeping. Doctor gave her an injection antihistamine and directed us to stay in room for 72 hours. The very next morning MIL woke up with over 80 bites over her body, face, ears back and hands. Doctor confirmed it appeared to be bed bugs. Resort have moved MIL to another room however has now been told by doctor to avoid sunshine for another 72 hours. Meaning that 5 days of our holiday we have all been couped up in a room, and me and my partner have been taking turns in taking little one to the pool.

now we have found bites on our two year old. We’re not sure what to do. MIL is emotionally distressed and it’s so bad. The bites are so swollen and just everywhere, some have even popped so badly that her skin is raw.
am i being unreasonable to request a full refund from the resort as we have had a really horrifying experience

has anyone ever had this from a high end resort? .

OP posts:
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IMustDoMoreExercise · 06/07/2025 19:04

@Sisublondie

I'm not sure what you mean about the wardrobe being cleaned. Even if they had removed the other guests' clothing, they wouldn't have cleaned the wardrobe.

That is why I only ever hang things in wardrobes, I never put things in the drawers bc you don't know that has been in there previously.

Sisublondie · 01/07/2025 18:20

Sooooooo… I posted on here previously……regarding have had scabies in the past, and learning of the horrors of bedbugs…..

I am currently on Day 2 of a holiday abroad. as PP have said, I tried to scan the rooms ( DH, DSx2) for any obvious bedbugs. Couldn’t see anything, but no experience of the same. I did, however, berate myself for not bringing antiseptic wipes to give surfaces a quick wipe.. tho, have NEVER done so in the past, but this thread has scared me!

We left our bags in the rooms yesterday, and went down for lunch. DS18 gave a throw away comment about “ urine stains” reflecting in his toilet seat lid…. So, I looked, and, too, there they were. I started to say “ What the…..” and he said “ Yeh, but not as bad as someone’s jeans and nightie in the wardrobe”!……. So!, I looked there, and, yup, nearly folded clothes NOT belonging to us.

I went straight to reception ( had to go anyway as none of our room keys worked)…,, asked how often rooms were cleaned…. usual… “ daily”…..but “ right, obviously before room changes”.., “ Of course”!! Well. No, not of course. Got a not that horrified apology and housekeeping came asap….. in she came, carefully lifted down said clothes, turned to my ND DS16 who was sitting in the bed, asked him if they were his.,,…..if I wasn’t so cross, the look on his face to see some lacy black nightie thing shoved in his face…..

Anyway, I was still fuming this morning. Haven’t unpacked my case as don’t want my clean clothes in clearly unclean wardrobes…. I couldn’t find the beach throw thing I wore yesterday, looked behind the chair. Just in case, and, on the floor behind the chair and next to the floor length curtains is …. A Dirty Bsby Bib!

So, DH is rolling eyes like I’m demented ti be pissed off. I don’t want to upset DS, but I’m pretty sure Iit’s ok to be not ok with this! My plan is to not say anything tonight and see what tomorrow’s cleaning is like, then go for it….. ( I put Do not disturb on today ). My point for this thread is, as I said to the reception person yesterday, I have never before had solid physical proof my room has not been cleaned properly.

Not good realising how supposedly reputable ABTA operating hotels take the piss out of us as consumers, paying for their services. Rant over! Sorry!

FrogsLoveRain · 30/06/2025 23:07

Happywifehappylife18 · 30/06/2025 18:23

Chat GPT**

Best of luck OP.

Please do let us know how you get on.

Happywifehappylife18 · 30/06/2025 18:23

Happywifehappylife18 · 30/06/2025 18:23

no update so far. We have used chat got to formulate our complaints. We’re just compiling all
our evidence and photos etc.
so glad this has spread awareness. I too will never stay anywhere without checking for critters!

Chat GPT**

OP posts:
Happywifehappylife18 · 30/06/2025 18:23

FrogsLoveRain · 26/06/2025 19:17

Any update OP?

I stayed in a hotel earlier this week and for the first time ever I checked the mattress for signs of bed bugs.

no update so far. We have used chat got to formulate our complaints. We’re just compiling all
our evidence and photos etc.
so glad this has spread awareness. I too will never stay anywhere without checking for critters!

OP posts:
FrogsLoveRain · 26/06/2025 19:17

Any update OP?

I stayed in a hotel earlier this week and for the first time ever I checked the mattress for signs of bed bugs.

Christwosheds · 25/06/2025 11:50

12doublerolls · 25/06/2025 09:22

I bought a chest of drawers off fb marketplace place and that’s how I got them 🤦🏻‍♀️ took 8 months to get rid of them and it caused me to have a nervous breakdown from the stress. We’re a family of 7 and I had to wash all the clothes in the house and all soft furnishings. 4 times over.

2 years later my son brought them home from using the tubes in London 😡 I’ve now banned him from sitting down in tubes

😮😮😮😬😬😬😬😬 That is terrible, must have been so stressful.

BlueSnails · 25/06/2025 09:25

Horserider5678 · 20/06/2025 19:46

Sorry they don’t sound like bed bug bites as they don’t blister, it sounds more like chickenpox! If it was bedbugs you’d all be covered not just her and your son!

Oh, and the bites also dont seem to affect everyone the same way. The person I was sharing a bed with had no idea he had a bed bug infestation until I came along and they started biting me...

12doublerolls · 25/06/2025 09:22

Christwosheds · 23/06/2025 23:39

Stuff of nightmares !
Has anyone brought them home without realising ? Eg stayed somewhere with them but not noticed the bites ? I have the horrors now !

I bought a chest of drawers off fb marketplace place and that’s how I got them 🤦🏻‍♀️ took 8 months to get rid of them and it caused me to have a nervous breakdown from the stress. We’re a family of 7 and I had to wash all the clothes in the house and all soft furnishings. 4 times over.

2 years later my son brought them home from using the tubes in London 😡 I’ve now banned him from sitting down in tubes

BlueSnails · 25/06/2025 09:14

Horserider5678 · 20/06/2025 19:46

Sorry they don’t sound like bed bug bites as they don’t blister, it sounds more like chickenpox! If it was bedbugs you’d all be covered not just her and your son!

They do blister if you have an allergic reaction to them, mine did and I had to go to the doctors because my whole hand swelled up with pus from them.

Christwosheds · 23/06/2025 23:39

Fleetbug · 23/06/2025 17:50

Hi @Christwosheds i wish they would die off but they are virtually indestructible. Can live for up to 6 months without food or water. Steaming works but there is a risk of the steamer blowing them away. Resistant to most poisons.

Every time you “almost” kill them all, you speed up the evolutionary process - because the ones that are left are better at surviving than the ones you killed! It’s like antibiotic resistance…ugh.

Stuff of nightmares !
Has anyone brought them home without realising ? Eg stayed somewhere with them but not noticed the bites ? I have the horrors now !

Fleetbug · 23/06/2025 17:50

Hi @Christwosheds i wish they would die off but they are virtually indestructible. Can live for up to 6 months without food or water. Steaming works but there is a risk of the steamer blowing them away. Resistant to most poisons.

Every time you “almost” kill them all, you speed up the evolutionary process - because the ones that are left are better at surviving than the ones you killed! It’s like antibiotic resistance…ugh.

Jellyslothbridge · 22/06/2025 15:02

Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

coxesorangepippin · 21/06/2025 20:20

How things improve soon op

💐

Happywifehappylife18 · 21/06/2025 16:46

Sunholidays · 21/06/2025 16:00

If you want to CC the hotel owners too, this is an email address for them: [email protected]

Omg thank you!

OP posts:
Jabberwok · 21/06/2025 16:37

Happywifehappylife18 · 21/06/2025 09:19

Honestly I never saw any bad reviews last year, I guess I didn’t do my research properly. And this year I didn’t even look at the reviews because our experience last year was just beautiful. I will be getting ready and going to reception in a minute so I will
poat an update once I have spoke to them regarding a refund.
on another note I did phone yesterday that company from the link sent but they won’t take the case as we booked through the company which is located in Spain. We were advised to either get an English speaking Tenerife based solicitor or attempt to get a refund directly from the company ourselves.

I hate to say this op but there's a reason that travel company is based in Spain. We have abta/atol and a strong legal footing when dealing with travel companies...they have next to nothing.

Did you pay by credit card, as the credit card company may be liable.

Fleetbug · 21/06/2025 16:19

@SixteentoOne They are initially microscopically small- you won’t necessarily see them even if they are there. They prefer sites like suitcase and bedding seams, gaps in treads of shoes but will travel in clothing. I don’t think aircraft have bedbug policies and they don’t spread disease so there are no medical issues…

Sunholidays · 21/06/2025 16:00

If you want to CC the hotel owners too, this is an email address for them: [email protected]

Sunholidays · 21/06/2025 15:53

You have a great attitude, OP, and your plans seem sensible. I hope you can have a good day out and about tomorrow.

Happywifehappylife18 · 21/06/2025 12:50

Happywifehappylife18 · 21/06/2025 12:44

So update for this morning.
I have spoken to the manager who has given me the attached form to fill out for their complaints book. Thank you so much for this suggestion as they were not openly offering for me to do this. I had to ask for it. They have also given me the corporate customer service contact to send the formal
complaint to and cc in local
authorities. I was really hoping to have this dealt with while we are here but I will
pursue this to the end of the earth. I will be uploading reviews on every social media platform and I will try to get this is newspapers. Most the other vacationers are British and I believe this issue needs to be well publicised so people can make informed decisions and force the hotel
to take proper action to address the clearly longstanding issue of bedbugs.
I am furious, sad and disappointed. We decided that now no one is being bitten it’s not fair to go to another hotel and bring the problem there with us. We plan to bin everything. And yes strip at our doorsteps and straight into the shower. If anyone has any further suggestions or advice I would love to hear. I feel I’m going to need all the help I can get here and you guys have already been so helpful and resourceful so thank you to you all. And thank you for the support and shared sympathy x

Forgot to add that MIL is doing much better and we hopE to get one day out tomorrow if she is up for it.
despite all of this we have had some great laughs and jokes while here. Somehow we have had to make the best of a really crappy experience.
it has not deterred us from travelling as we have started to plan our next holiday. But this time we will know to take more precautions and search the room with a magnifying glass and of course search reviews for bedbugs, cockroach, infestation, bites, scabies…..
a huge lesson has been learnt here. And one I hope all
of you will remember too.
it’s quite funny because on our second day here there were protestors outside with a sign that read “welcome to hell” they wernt wrong.

OP posts:
Happywifehappylife18 · 21/06/2025 12:44

So update for this morning.
I have spoken to the manager who has given me the attached form to fill out for their complaints book. Thank you so much for this suggestion as they were not openly offering for me to do this. I had to ask for it. They have also given me the corporate customer service contact to send the formal
complaint to and cc in local
authorities. I was really hoping to have this dealt with while we are here but I will
pursue this to the end of the earth. I will be uploading reviews on every social media platform and I will try to get this is newspapers. Most the other vacationers are British and I believe this issue needs to be well publicised so people can make informed decisions and force the hotel
to take proper action to address the clearly longstanding issue of bedbugs.
I am furious, sad and disappointed. We decided that now no one is being bitten it’s not fair to go to another hotel and bring the problem there with us. We plan to bin everything. And yes strip at our doorsteps and straight into the shower. If anyone has any further suggestions or advice I would love to hear. I feel I’m going to need all the help I can get here and you guys have already been so helpful and resourceful so thank you to you all. And thank you for the support and shared sympathy x

Disaster holiday at resort
OP posts:
fruitflavouredmilk · 21/06/2025 11:50

Sisublondie · 21/06/2025 11:25

Yep, I’d be with you, I wouldn’t even want to insist on a change of room, or hotel, I’d want first flight out of there. Zero point being away and even if all seemed ok in return, the not knowing of what you’ve inhaled. The whole place needs to be closed, if not by the hotel themselves ( because they clearly don’t give a flying) by the authorities, and fumigated until it’s completely free of the CF.

OP, please make sure you get the contact details of the couple you’ve referred to from this morning. Really important, Are you able to speak to anyone who may know which local Council/ Authorities can be informed?

They will close only after a severe accident like death. Polite Brits won’t help the situation.

Sunnygin · 21/06/2025 11:48

Happywifehappylife18 · 20/06/2025 15:43

We are in tenerefe, we stayed at this resort last year. In fact my partner proposed to me here exactly 1 year ago. So we came back to celebrate. Last year was amazing. This year has been an absolute shit show. The staff have been really good and brought us pitchers of cocktails and room service. But really we came to do activities and have family
memories. Unfortunately for MIL will
Probably have the scars to remember for rest of her life.
ATM we are trying to make the best of a bad situation and enjoy ourselves.

How awful..but a word of warning....those beg bugs can travel back in your luggage 😱 you definitely don't need that ....

Sisublondie · 21/06/2025 11:25

fruitflavouredmilk · 21/06/2025 11:12

I would not stay after all the information OP has now. No chance. Even if you don’t die from the spraying who knows what future lung diseases it may cause.

Yep, I’d be with you, I wouldn’t even want to insist on a change of room, or hotel, I’d want first flight out of there. Zero point being away and even if all seemed ok in return, the not knowing of what you’ve inhaled. The whole place needs to be closed, if not by the hotel themselves ( because they clearly don’t give a flying) by the authorities, and fumigated until it’s completely free of the CF.

OP, please make sure you get the contact details of the couple you’ve referred to from this morning. Really important, Are you able to speak to anyone who may know which local Council/ Authorities can be informed?

fruitflavouredmilk · 21/06/2025 11:12

Sisublondie · 21/06/2025 11:02

OP… PLEASE tell these people to INSIST on moving rooms!!!! This is really serious, now. As @fruitflavouredmilkhas said, and posted link. Even if they do not wish to “ cause a fuss” or something annoyingly British ( assuming they are), it is simply not worth it!

I would not stay after all the information OP has now. No chance. Even if you don’t die from the spraying who knows what future lung diseases it may cause.