Bognor Regis Butlin’s trip cut short due to suspected bed bugs

A woman said she was forced to cut short her holiday at Butlin’s after getting suspected bed bugs bites.

Hollie Honeyman, from Sittingbourne in Kent, said she was planning to stay at the site in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, from Friday to Monday, but shortened he stay.

“I had developed painful and extensive bites across my body. I suffered allergic reactions to the bites, which required medical attention, and the experience has left me with serious anxiety,” she said.

Butlin’s has apologised, adding that it wanted to reassure guests it had “strict cleaning and hygiene policies in place”, which included the identification and treatment for preventing bedbugs.

Ms Honeyman said she left the site a day early because of the bed bugs.

“Although Butlin’s moved us to another room, the situation had already ruined our holiday,” she said.

“We spent the entire day washing our clothes on-site to avoid bringing bed bugs home and we were forced to throw away our suitcases, along with some of our clothes and personal belongings.”

Ms Honeyman said she complained to Butlin’s and was eventually offered a £1,200 refund – the cost of the holiday – although she was originally given £400.

She added: “This was not only a ruined holiday but also a serious failure in cleanliness, pest control, guest safety, and customer care at Butlin’s resorts.”

A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry to hear about Hollie’s recent experience on resort and will be contacting her directly to discuss the issues raised further.”