Seasonal guests at Iberostar Playa Pilar, Cuba tell of “cross-contamination” and “many people sick”

Guests staying at the 4-star Iberostar Playa Pilar Hotel in Cuba over the Christmas and New Year period have blasted food handling and preparation amid claims of numerous guests being taken ill.

Tour Operators including Thomas Cook promote all-inclusive packages at the hotel, situated on Cuba’s tropical island of Cayo Guillermo.  Recent TripAdvisor reviews posted have claimed that proper food temperatures were not maintained and that the same food handling utensils were used between different dishes.  A January 2019 visitor, tommygunnerfooty, says:

“4 people in our group got sick within the first 24 hours, and this was not isolated to our group. Many people were sick. Others in our group got sick within 3 days, and some got sick on day 7. It could have to do with cross-contamination due to using the same utensils for various foods at the buffet. There was NEVER one utensil per bowl at the counters.”

Pinacolada48, staying in December 2018, claims that “Some vegetable dishes were overcooked and not always hot… I should tell you also that 4/9 travel companions got sick with gastrointestinal issues.”

Package holidays should be stress-free. If food poisoning has impacted yours, contact the Holiday Claims Bureau at 0161 813 2131 or utilise our online form to begin your claim process.

“Cesspool of Bacteria”

Canadian guest dottiemcp details a number of claims about adverse hygiene practices:

“This hotel is a cesspool of bacteria! There are no standards that exist on this resort. As a healthcare professional, I was appalled by the crisis situation in this resort. Bathrooms are filthy, despite constant prompting to put soap in dispensers and toilet paper in the stalls. Antibacterial dispensers are there for show, but never filled. We tried to explain to them the importance of proper hygiene. We tried to provide scenarios of people going to the washroom in the bathroom outside the buffet. If they urinate or have a BM and there is no toilet paper?? If they cannot wash their hands, they enter the buffet and contaminate all the serving utensils. Cross contamination of raw chicken/beef/pork at the meat station in the buffet. The chefs used the same plate to take carry all raw meats to the grill.”

Have you been affected?

In the event that you or others in your travelling party have suffered the symptoms of food poisoning after consuming food on your all-inclusive package holiday to Iberostar Playa Pilar, these are our tips to maximise the prospects of you recovering the compensation award you merit:

• Seek medical attention
• Report your illness to the Tour Representative on-resort and keep a copy of a written report
• Report any concerns you have about hygiene to hotel staff and the Tour Representative
• Document and photograph any issues you observe
• Keep receipts for any medicines you purchase and medical treatment you pay for
• Maintain and exchange details contact with others you speak to at the resort who have fallen ill
• Be wary of accepting ‘goodwill gestures’ from the hotel or tour operator
• Seek independent legal advice

How can we help?

The Holiday Claims Bureau team has represented scores of UK Holidaymakers making holiday sickness claims after falling ill in the course of package holidays to Cuba.

If you want to look into the possibility of making a Claim on a No Win, No Fee basis, contact us on 0161 813 2131  or complete the start your claim form and we will arrange for someone to get in touch with you soon.