Holiday Inn investigate as customer fled room after 'bed bug bites'

Nicola Jenkins checked into the Holiday Inn Express Exeter East on October 12 for a four-night work trip.

On the second night of her stay, the 46-year-old claims she woke up covered in red bites across her face, neck, arms, back and stomach.

Horrified, the mum-of-two checked her quilt and said she discovered one of the insects crawling on top of her duvet.

The utility company supervisor then started inspecting her sheets for more unwanted guests when she claims she found a shocking 40 of the bugs lying dead in her bed.

Nicola says she told the front desk about the infestation - and was offered a room change, refund and free hot drink.

But the mum ended up moving hotels when her symptoms began to worsen, leaving her feeling like her 'skin was on fire' and forcing her to stay indoors that weekend.

Nicola said the itching became so intense that she rushed to A&E on Monday night [October 19] after her arm became 'bright red and swollen'.

After a course of steroids, Nicola says her symptoms have improved, but has sworn off staying in a Holiday Inn ever again.

Nicola said she has declined a free stay at one of the chain's hotels after her workplace filed a complaint.

Holiday Inn said they were 'looking into the concerns raised' and are in contact with the guest directly.

Nicola, from near Caerphilly, Wales said: "This was the first time I'd stayed [at this Holiday Inn].

"I stayed there on the Monday night and I was fine, but then I woke up on the Wednesday and was scratching a little bit.

"I got into the shower and could see these red bites all over me. I knew it was bed bugs because I'd been through it before, but nothing like this.

"There were more than 100 bites on my forehead, cheeks, neck, around my waist, my arms.

"I got dressed and lifted my quilt up and got a video of one of the bed bugs on the bed.

"The number of bites I got, there was definitely more than one bug. I saw about 40 dead bugs in the bed.

"I went to reception and they put me in another room but said they couldn't reimburse me because work has paid for the stay. She gave me a free cup of coffee."

After cutting her stay short and moving to a different hotel, Nicola said the bites became so itchy and painful she resorted to going to hospital for treatment.

Nicola said: "My skin was on fire constantly. It was like a burn. I could feel all the bites under my skin.

"I was meant to have a baby shower at the weekend but couldn't even go to that.

"It's been the worst stress I've ever had in my life. I ended up going to the pharmacist because the itching was so bad and there were more bites coming out on me.

"The pharmacist gave me antihistamines, they confirmed it was definitely bed bugs.

"They're open wounds now, I don't want them to get infected. I didn't leave the house all weekend.

"[I ended up going to hospital because] I couldn't sleep and my skin was on fire. My whole left arm was swollen and bright red. The doctor gave me a course of steroids.

"The doctor said it was a severe case of bed bug bites."

Nicola says she's been offered a free stay at one of the chain's hotels, but insists she will never stay in a Holiday Inn again.

Nicola said: "I'm shocked something like this is happening in their hotel.

"I'll never in my life go to a Holiday Inn again.

"The hotel emailed my boss, admitted there were bed bugs and offered me a free weekend in one of their hotels, which I won't be accepting."

A spokesperson from Holiday Inn Express Exeter East said: "We are aware of the guest's concerns and understand how upsetting this must have been. 

"We take matters of cleanliness and guest wellbeing seriously and are looking into the concerns raised.

"We are in contact with the guest directly."