Holiday Lawyers has been formally instructed by a client who suffered severe food poisoning at the Royalton Hotel, Cancun, Mexico, during a package holiday booked with TUI. Severe illness at Royalton hotel, Cancun Our client travelled to Mexico on 26 December 2024 as part of a package holiday arranged by TUI. During their stay at the Royalton Hotel in Cancun, they developed acute gastrointestinal illness after eating at one of the hotel’s restaurants. The illness escalated rapidly. Our client required hospitalisation in Mexico, incurring significant medical expenses. Despite being seriously unwell, they were allegedly refused assistance by TUI representatives when requesting an earlier return flight to the UK. Upon returning home, UK medical investigations confirmed E. coli and a bacterial infection, with ongoing gastrointestinal complications continuing months later. Our client has also experienced anxiety and stress directly linked to the incident. The seriousness of e. coli infections E. coli infections are not minor stomach bugs. In severe cases they can lead to kidney complications, long-term gastrointestinal disorders, post-infectious IBS, sepsis, and permanent health damage. Holiday Lawyers has acted for clients and their families who have suffered devastating consequences from E. coli outbreaks — including cases where individuals have been left with life-altering complications and, in the most serious instances, have tragically lost their lives. These cases require careful handling, specialist medical evidence, and a firm understanding of tour operator liability. Tui offer rejected TUI have already made an offer of compensation. That offer was rejected. It did not adequately reflect the severity of the illness, the hospitalisation abroad, ongoing symptoms, financial losses, or the distress and disruption caused. We are now pursuing the matter formally under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
HolidayLawyers.co.uk has now been instructed by a family who stayed at the Titanic Royal Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, between 21 and 28 January 2026. During the holiday, several members of the family became unwell with symptoms consistent with gastroenteritis, with one child requiring hospital treatment. The family report multiple concerns about food hygiene and cleanliness at the hotel. They also noticed a number of other guests who appeared to be suffering from similar symptoms, suggesting the illness may not have been an isolated incident. When a family holiday turns into a medical emergency Gastroenteritis on holiday can escalate quickly, especially in young children. Symptoms often include: • Severe diarrhoea • Vomiting • Abdominal pain • Fever • Dehydration Where a child is affected, dehydration can become serious within hours. Hospital treatment is sometimes required for intravenous fluids, monitoring, medication, and infection control. What should have been a relaxing family holiday can instead become a traumatic experience involving foreign hospitals, unexpected costs, and long-term health concerns. Common causes of hotel illness in Egypt Holiday illness claims typically arise from: • Poor food hygiene in buffet areas • Undercooked or improperly stored food • Cross-contamination between raw and cooked items • Unclean plates, utensils, or glasses • Contaminated water or ice • Poor sanitation in kitchens or public areas Where multiple guests report or display similar symptoms, this can indicate a systemic hygiene failure rather than an isolated incident. Experience in serious holiday illness cases in Egypt The lead solicitor at Holiday Lawyers has extensive experience in complex international illness claims. • Represented families who have lost loved ones in Egypt following food poisoning and bacterial infections • Acted in numerous serious illness cases involving Egyptian resorts • Recovered millions of pounds in compensation for clients affected by severe holiday illness in Egypt He has also acted in major illness outbreaks in destinations such as Cape Verde, where widespread hygiene failures led to large numbers of guests becoming unwell. Many of the same systemic issues are commonly seen in cases arising from Egyptian resorts. Can you claim compensation for holiday illness? If your holiday was booked as a package holiday with a UK tour operator, you may be able to bring a claim under the Package Travel Regulations. You may be entitled to compensation for: • Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment • Medical expenses • Loss of holiday value • Travel disruption • Ongoing symptoms or complications • Psychological impact, especially where a child was hospitalised Importantly, claims are usually brought against the UK tour operator, not the foreign hotel. Evidence that helps a gastroenteritis claim If you or your family were ill on holiday, the following evidence can strengthen a claim: • Medical records (UK or abroad) • Hospital discharge notes • Photographs of food or hygiene issues • Complaints made to the hotel or tour operator • Booking confirmations and travel documents • Statements from other affected guests Time limits for bringing a claim For most package holiday illness claims, the usual time limit is three years from the date of illness. It is best to seek advice as early as possible while evidence is fresh. Speak to a specialist holiday illness solicitor At HolidayLawyers.co.uk, we focus on serious and complex holiday illness claims, including cases involving hospitalised children, large family outbreaks, resort-wide illness incidents, and high-value or fatal cases. If your family suffered illness at a hotel abroad, you may have a strong claim for compensation. Contact HolidayLawyers.co.uk today for a free, no-obligation assessment.
Cape Verde has long been a popular destination for British holidaymakers seeking year‑round sunshine. However, in recent years there has been a growing number of reports of serious illness linked to hotels and resorts across the islands. At Holidaylawyers, we have personally visited and inspected a number of hotels in Cape Verde and observed several health and hygiene issues that raise genuine concerns about guest safety. Reports of illness among UK holidaymakers Numerous travellers have reported gastric illness, infections and hospitalisation following stays in Cape Verde resorts. In some cases, illnesses have been linked to poor food hygiene, sanitation concerns and unsafe food preparation practices. Large group claims are now being pursued by British tourists who suffered illness after staying in several well‑known hotels, highlighting the scale of the issue. What Holidaylawyers observed on inspection During on‑site inspections, Holidaylawyers identified a number of potential hygiene failings including: • Poor food handling and temperature control • Risks of cross‑contamination in kitchen areas • Inconsistent cleaning of communal facilities • Sanitation issues in guest areas These observations mirror many of the complaints made by holidaymakers who became unwell after their stay. Your legal rights after illness abroad If you suffered food poisoning or illness while staying in a Cape Verde hotel booked through a UK tour operator, you may be entitled to bring a compensation claim. Tour operators have a legal duty to ensure accommodation meets reasonable health and safety standards. Where failures occur, affected travellers can seek damages for pain, suffering, medical costs and loss of enjoyment. Speak to Holidaylawyers Holidaylawyers specialises in holiday illness and hotel hygiene claims. Our team has first‑hand experience inspecting overseas hotels and holding tour operators accountable for unsafe conditions. If you or a family member fell ill after a holiday in Cape Verde, contact Holidaylawyers for expert advice.
HolidayLawyers have been asked to help a family bring a TUI food poisoning claim after a holiday in Mexico turned into a medical nightmare. The family were staying at a TUI-operated all-inclusive hotel when one guest became seriously ill after eating at one of the hotel restaurants. What initially appeared to be mild stomach upset rapidly developed into severe food poisoning, forcing the family to seek urgent medical help abroad. Within days, the illness worsened so significantly that hospitalisation for food poisoning in Mexico was required, leading to substantial medical bills and enormous distress. Food poisoning at a TUI hotel in Mexico Food poisoning in Mexico hotels remains one of the most common causes of holiday sickness compensation claims. In this case, the guest fell ill shortly after consuming food provided as part of the TUI holiday package. The symptoms were severe and persistent, pointing towards a bacterial infection contracted abroad rather than a mild stomach bug. Despite being visibly unwell, the family were refused assistance by TUI representatives when they asked for an earlier return flight to the UK. Diagnosed with E. coli after returning home Once back in the UK, medical tests confirmed the illness was caused by E. coli alongside a serious bacterial gastrointestinal infection. The individual continues to suffer from ongoing digestive complications, abdominal pain, fatigue, and psychological stress following hospitalisation abroad. TUI offered compensation but it was inadequate TUI have already attempted to resolve the matter by making a compensation offer. However, the family rejected it as completely disproportionate to the seriousness of the illness. Low goodwill payments are common in TUI holiday sickness claims, but they rarely reflect the true impact of serious food poisoning abroad. Can you claim against TUI for food poisoning If you suffered food poisoning at a TUI hotel, you may be entitled to bring a claim against TUI for food poisoning compensation. Under UK package travel regulations, tour operators such as TUI are legally responsible for the standard of food, hygiene and accommodation provided during your holiday. Start your TUI food poisoning claim with HolidayLawyers HolidayLawyers specialise exclusively in holiday food poisoning claims and tour operator sickness compensation cases, all handled on a no win no fee basis.
Holiday Lawyers has recently been instructed by a UK family following a deeply distressing Umrah pilgrimage that went seriously wrong due to failures by the travel organiser. The case highlights why it is critical for travellers to understand whether their trip is legally classed as a package holiday , and what protections apply when things go wrong abroad. The background: what should have been a supported Umrah journey Our clients booked an Umrah package that included: International flights Hotels in Makkah and Madinah close to the Haram Ground transport Ziyarah (religious tours) The package was chosen specifically because elderly and disabled family members were travelling. Proximity, stability and reliability were essential. Instead, the family experienced repeated failures throughout the trip. What went wrong During the pilgrimage, the organiser failed to provide key elements of the package, including: Cancelled and repeatedly changed flights, including return flights Periods where no confirmed return flight was in place Being told to arrange and fund their own flights while abroad Multiple hotel moves and downgrades without agreement Placement in unsuitable and unhygienic accommodation Hotels located far from the Haram despite assurances and payment for nearby hotels Inadequate transport for disabled passengers Missed or substandard Ziyarah services As a result, the family was forced to use personal funds and credit cards to secure flights, hotels and transport, while dealing with constant uncertainty and anxiety. Why this matters legally: package travel protections Many travellers do not realise that when flights and accommodation are sold together by the same company for an inclusive price, the booking is almost always a package holiday under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This is crucial because: The organiser is legally responsible for all parts of the trip It does not matter if failures are caused by airlines, hotels or overseas suppliers Travellers should never be left to self-fund essential elements of the package Where a package is not properly performed, the law provides clear remedies. What travellers can claim when a package holiday fails In appropriate cases, compensation can include: Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses Refunds or price reductions for downgraded services Compensation for distress, disruption and loss of enjoyment Where the trip is a once-in-a-lifetime or religious journey, and where disabled or elderly travellers are affected, claims for distress and loss of enjoyment are often more significant. Common tactics we see from failing organisers In this case, the organiser later: Admitted mistakes but delayed refunds Attempted to limit compensation to narrow price differences Described legal entitlements as “goodwill” Asked for public reviews to be removed as part of resolution discussions These tactics are not uncommon and do not override a traveller’s legal rights. How Holiday Lawyers can help Holiday Lawyers acts for clients nationwide in package travel claims , including: Umrah and Hajj packages Family holidays Long-haul and luxury trips Holidays involving elderly or disabled travellers We act on a no win, no fee basis for package travel claims where the law applies, removing financial risk for clients who have already suffered losses. If your Umrah or holiday package has gone wrong If you: Booked flights and accommodation together Were forced to pay out of pocket abroad Experienced hotel downgrades or cancellations Were left without confirmed return flights You may have a strong legal claim. Contact Holiday Lawyers for a confidential assessment of your situation. This article is based on a real case we are currently handling. Client details have been anonymised.
If you have suffered serious service failures during a stay at a Barceló Hotel Group property — including the Occidental Torremolinos Playa in Spain — you may be entitled to substantial compensation, even where the booking was made directly with the hotel and not via a tour operator. At HolidayLawyers, we are regularly instructed in high-value hotel dispute claims, including cases involving Barceló-owned and operated hotels. We are currently investigating a claim exceeding £10,000 arising from multiple contractual and safety breaches during a stay at the Occidental Torremolinos Playa. Importantly, we have prior litigation experience involving this hotel group, giving us an informed and tactical understanding of how Barceló approach disputes, complaints, and pre-action correspondence. Common Grounds for Claims Against Hotels in Spain Where a hotel stay falls significantly below the standard promised at booking, a claim may arise under contract law, consumer protection legislation, and — in some cases — health and safety obligations. Failure to Provide Booked Accommodation Where specific rooms are confirmed (such as ground-floor rooms) and not provided, this is a clear breach of contract, particularly where accessibility, safety, or special needs were relevant. Property Security Failures Hotels owe guests a duty to provide reasonable security. Lapses that expose guests to risk may support a claim for damages. Allergen and Dietary Mismanagement Failures in allergen control or dietary management are treated seriously and may amount to breach of contract, negligence, and health and safety violations. Direct Booking vs Package Holidays Booking directly with a hotel does not prevent a claim. Jurisdiction may lie in the UK, under Spanish law, or both, depending on governing law clauses and corporate structure. Barceló’s “Final Position” Letters A refusal of compensation does not prevent legal action. Such letters often mark the end of the complaints process and the beginning of formal legal steps. How HolidayLawyers Can Help We can provide: - Merits review and jurisdiction advice - Preparation and issue of a Letter Before Action - Litigation strategy and cost guidance - Representation in cross-border disputes If you have been searching for weeks without success, it is often because your claim exceeds the scope of standard claims handlers. This is precisely where we operate.
Nineteen diners fell ill after a Cwmbran carvery — Holiday Lawyers explains how such outbreaks happen and how victims can claim compensation for food poisoning.
Amandeep Dhillon has decades of experience winning holiday illness and injury claims. Learn how we’ve recovered millions for families in Turkey and abroad.
