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Holiday Claims Bureau has confirmed two separate bed bug claim settlements: £1,250 for Amelia Colley after a Stratford Travelodge stay, and £2,000 for Janice Coulson after a break at Whitby Holiday Park. First reported in October 2023, their experiences show the disruption behind their claims for compensation for bed bug bites.
Case update: 21 October 2026. The outcomes below update HCB’s original report, first published on 13 October 2023.
Amelia’s Stay at Travelodge in Stratford
Amelia Colley, then 35 and from Nottingham, had booked a stay with her husband at Travelodge in Stratford, London, from 24–26 August 2023.
After their first night, the couple woke to find bed bugs crawling over the bed and bloodstains on the sheets. They reported the problem to reception and were moved to another room.
Amelia’s account described bed bugs getting into their clothing. The couple decided to check out a day earlier than planned, having suffered approximately 30 bites on their hands, arms, back and shoulders.
Amelia’s individual claim has since settled for £1,250.
Janice’s Break at Whitby Holiday Park
Janice Coulson, then 66 and from Durham, had planned a stay with her husband, Paul, at Whitby Holiday Park in Saltwick Bay, Whitby. Their booking ran from 9–16 September 2023 and was intended to celebrate a special occasion.
On the first night, Janice discovered bed bugs in her bed and asked staff to move her to another caravan. Her account said the request was refused and that the only solution offered was a replacement mattress.
Janice spent the night sleeping in her car and left the park the following day. She reported around 120 bites from her neck to her ankles, with extreme itching. She sought medical help and was prescribed antibiotics.
The Concern About Bringing Bed Bugs Home
Janice was worried about bringing bed bugs home and washed all the belongings she had taken on the trip as a precaution. Although she continued to notice bites, a pest control company inspected her home and found no bed bugs.
HCB has confirmed that Janice made a full recovery within two months. Her claim settled for £2,000.
If you are dealing with a similar worry, our guide explains what to do if you think you brought bed bugs home after a stay.
If symptoms continue after your own stay, keep a record of how they develop, any treatment and extra costs. Our guide to lasting problems after hotel bed bug bites explains what to record.
Other Published UK Bed Bug Claim Results
HCB has also published outcomes from other hotel and holiday park claims:
- £4,500 secured for a client following a Martello Beach Holiday Park stay in Clacton-on-Sea.
- Over £2,500 secured for Paul Cowderoy after a stay at a Premier Inn in Richmond, London.
These outcomes do not predict the value or result of another claim. Each depends on its own circumstances and evidence.
For information about eligibility, evidence and asking HCB to assess your circumstances, see our hotel and holiday bed bug compensation claims information.
