“Dreadful” sickness bug reported at Insotel Punta Prima Resort & Spa

We have been made aware of a reported outbreak of gastric illness at the Insotel Punta Prima Resort & Spa in Menorca in recent weeks.

Promoted with an official 5-star rating, the all-inclusive hotel hosts 479 rooms across two floors.  Events at the beach-side resort on the southern tip of the island have prompted a number of British holidaymakers to share their grievances on TripAdvisor, with accounts of multiple parties falling ill with severe sickness and diarrhoea. Some say that they recall food being served ‘cold’ or ‘lukewarm’, with one reviewer describing the fare as “slop which is available 3 times a day in various forms.”

The Holiday Claims Bureau is here to help you navigate the aftermath of food poisoning incidents during your holiday. Dial 0161 813 2131 or conveniently start your claim online. Our expert holiday illness solicitors are ready to handle your case, and fight for the compensation you may be entitled to.

Guests unaware of problem

A review from a Bournemouth family staying at the Insotel Punta Prima in May says that after members of the family were struck down with a “dreadful sickness diarrhoea bug”, she only found out that gastric illness had been an issue at the resort on returning home:

“Upon returning home I was horrified when I visited this site to discover that sickness and diarrhoea has been such an issue in this resort particularly concerning that it’s only into the 3rd week of the season with people being hospitalised.

I feel that the resort managers should at least put a notice in reception to make people aware and ask people to report illness to them so that the apartment can be deep cleaned and sanitized upon changeover of guests”

TripAdvisor member TT_user, who had to take his toddler to the local Accident & Emergency unit after the distressing symptoms took hold, claims that there was no sign of the hotel taking steps to control the outbreak:

“We have seen no evidence that the hotel has any kind of procedures to control food poisoning outbreaks – in any case we couldn’t even see how the hotel has protected other guests from us being sick – no room deep clean and sanitisation, nothing at all.”

Hotel responds on TripAdvisor

The hotel’s representatives have provided the following generic reply to some of those posting reviews mentioning the illness outbreak:

“For us the hygiene and safety of our customers is paramount. That is why we have a demanding control of food hygiene audits who periodically certify the good practice of the staff working in our facilities.”

Of course, not all episodes of gastrointestinal symptoms like those described are preventable.  However, Tour Operators and their partner premises should take steps to implement hygiene systems to both prevent and control the spread of illness.  If this has not happened, then it is right that customers seek fair compensation; they will often need legal expertise to help fight their case.

For years, our travel law solicitors have represented clients left unwell and out of pocket as a result of outbreaks like this on a No Win, No Fee basis.  Not only do we take pride in putting things right, but we believe our work plays an important role in driving up hygiene standards to protect the health of tourists in the future. Do not hesitate to get in touch with Holiday Claims Bureau on 0161 813 2131 or get in touch online to start your claim here.