Illness Outbreak at Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel
Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel, Cuba
Sunderland holidaymakers in Cuban holiday nightmare
A British holidaymaker has described horrific conditions in a 4 star Cuban Hotel from which at least 25 holidaymakers from the UK have reported being affected by sickness and diarrhoea.
Mrs Elaine Old (43) from Ryhope in Sunderland travelled with UK Tour Operator Thomas Cook on an all inclusive holiday with her family in August 2006 to the the Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel in Cuba.
A video shot by Mrs Old shows flies covering the food in the buffet restaurant and hotel rooms flooded with water from over flowing toilets.
Lawyers from the Travel Litigation Group at law firm Irwin Mitchell are currently acting for 8 holidaymakers who stayed at the hotel and who claim to have been affected by the conditions. Clients have reported a range of severe gastric symptoms whilst on holiday, with some continuing to suffer from symptoms since their return to the UK.
Mrs Old said “The hygiene at this hotel was disgusting, the buffet was next to open patios doors as there was no air conditioning at the hotel, so all of the food was covered in flies.”
She continued “During my stay the dining room was fumigated after every meal due to the amount of flies, the staff did not wear protective clothing whilst doing this and the cutlery, plates and glasses, which were facing up, were laid out on the table for the next meal”
“The hotel needed refurbishing, it was supposed to be a 4 star I would not even class it as a 1 star” She continued “The toilets in our rooms flooded and there was excrement all over the floor”.
Solicitor representing vicims of Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel illness
Nichola Blackburn, Travel litigation specialist at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said “We urge people to come forward if they have been affected by illness at the Brisas Guardalavaca Hotel in Cuba. The conditions at this hotel are some of the worst I have seen for a long time, I am concerned that holidaymakers were provided with such substandard accommodation.
Nichola Blackburn has called for tour operators to improve hygiene standards at the hotels they are advertising in their brochures as clients are continuing to fall ill whilst on holiday and some clients are contracting infections that can result in long terms symptoms.
If you or someone you know has been affected by illness at a hotel, resort, or on a cruise ship, our solicitors can help. Fill in our online claims form for free legal advice.