Jet2holidays sued over ‘disgusting’ Spanish hotel

A family of five have started legal proceedings against Jet2holidays claiming their holiday at an all-inclusive Spanish hotel was ruined by ‘disgusting’ hygiene conditions, which they believe caused them to fall ill.

Louise and Rowland Quinn, from Gateshead, reported rats running around the Bellevue Club Hotel in Alcudia, Majorca, and say they were served food covered in flies during their two-week holiday with their three children in the summer of 2012.

The couple say they and their children, aged four to 11, suffered from fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe stomach cramps during their stay and Mr Quinn, 40, tested positive for cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes gastric illnesses – by his GP on his return back home.

Clare Pearson, a travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "The Quinn family suffered illness during their stay at the Bellevue Club Hotel that ruined their holiday and left them needing medical attention. 

"Cryptosporidium can cause gastrointestinal illness which can lead to long term complications in some people. It can be prevented by following approved hygiene practices.

"We have already secured settlements for three members of the family who also stayed at the same resort and the tour operator has now formally admitted liability. We are working to resolve the claims for the remaining members of the Quinn family who fell ill."

Rowland, a supermarket night manager, who had to take time off work because of illness, said: "I was disgusted by how dirty parts of the hotel were and could not believe it when I saw rats in the grounds of the hotel, near the canteen and by the pool, but the staff did not seem shocked or willing to do anything. The pool often looked cloudy and there was a distinctive unpleasant smell. We also noticed that sometimes there was litter around the poolside.

"Food in the restaurant was often cold and appeared to be re-used from earlier meals and some dishes were uncovered so flies could land on the food.

"Alex, Will, Anna and I started suffering horrible and severe symptoms of gastric illness with Will and Alex needing time off school.

"We are determined to see justice for the ordeal we endured and hope that Jet2Holidays will work with our lawyers at Irwin Mitchell so we can finally begin to move on and try and forget our ordeal."

Review site TripAdvisor has given the three-star hotel a rating of two-and-a half out of five, based on over 5,000 reviews. It is still featured by Jet2holidays.

A spokesperson for Jet2holidays said: "This has been an ongoing case for us since 2013. We are making every effort to settle the family’s claims as quickly as possible and are currently waiting to hear back from Irwin Mitchell on our proposals, so we are disappointed proceedings have now been issued.  Unfortunately we are unable to say any more, given the ongoing legal process."

* The cost of paying out flight delay compensation has hit annual profits at the parent company of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

Pre-tax profits at Dart Group for the year to March dropped 5% to £40.2 million after a £17 million exceptional provision for possible passenger compensation after a change in EU regulations.