Holidaymaker shares photos of her ‘bed bug horror’ after £3k Cape Verde Tui trip

Holidaymaker shares photos of her ‘bed bug horror’ after £3k trip to a five-star Cape Verde Tui resort (but the firm refuses a refund saying ‘insects are an inevitable product of hot climates’)

  • Lynsey MacGregor said she slept clothed while at the Melia Dunas Resort 
  • Her arms appear to be peppered with large red bumps in her pictures 
  • MacGregor also has more than ten spots across her chest and up to her shoulder 

An angry holidaymaker has shared photos of horrific bed bug bites that she claims she endured while staying at a five-star hotel in Cape Verde. 

Lynsey MacGregor, from northern Scotland, said she slept fully-clothed during her stay at the Melia Dunas Resort with her husband because she was so terrified of being devoured by the critters.

She was further outraged when she complained to her travel provider Tui and they refused compensation for the £3,000 all-inclusive holiday in January on the grounds that ‘insects are an inevitable product of hotter climates.’ 

Lynsey MacGregor, from northern Scotland, said she slept fully clothed during her stay at the Melia Dunas Resort with her husband because she was so terrified of being devoured by the critters

An angry holidaymaker has shared photos of horrific bed bug bites which she claims she endured while staying at a five-star hotel in Cape Verde. Lynsey MacGregor, from northern Scotland, said she slept fully-clothed during her stay at the Melia Dunas Resort with her husband because she was so terrified of being devoured by the critters

Unhappy with the response, MacGregor decided to go public. 

Images, which were shared on social media, show her body covered in sore-looking lumps. 

Her arms appear to be peppered with large red bumps, which run from her shoulder right down to her hands.

MacGregor also has more than ten spots across her chest and up to her shoulder. 

In an explanation accompanying the photos she wrote: ‘We had a great holiday until the last two days when these lumps [and] welts appeared on my skin. Some going into small blisters.’ 

Lynsey and Garry MacGregor weren't happy with their holiday, which they say was blighted by bed bugs

Lynsey and Garry MacGregor weren’t happy with their holiday, which they say was blighted by bed bugs

An image showing the five-star Melia Dunas Resort in Cape Verde

An image showing the five-star Melia Dunas Resort in Cape Verde

MacGregor added that a Melia Dunas Resort employee at the joining desk also insinuated she was lying as he said that hotel had ‘never had bed bugs’.

She continued: ‘They said the room would be checked and sprayed that afternoon but when we returned to our room at 6pm nothing had been moved.

‘That night we had to sleep with full clothing on in fear of being bitten further.’ 

In response to MacGregor’s complaint, a letter from Tui received on Monday stated: ‘There are many advantages to visiting a country with a hotter climate, but we also accept that not all experiences can be pleasant.

‘Insects are an inevitable product of hotter climates and although they affect people to different degrees, it is almost impossible to eradicate them altogether. 

Images, which were shared on social media, show MacGregor's body covered in large lumps

The  red bumps appear to run from her shoulders and chest right down to her hands

Images, which were shared on social media, show MacGregor’s body covered in large lumps. The red bumps appear to run from her shoulders and chest right down to her hands

‘Although these insects are a nuisance, it is important to remember their presence does not mean the accommodation or the resort area is either dirty or poorly maintained. 

‘Many accommodation owners will actually arrange for rooms to be fumigated at times when the complex is closed, but this is never guaranteed to solve the problem entirely.

‘I know that the slight presence of such insects can be alarming to many people and we hope that this did not affect the enjoyment of your holiday too much.’ 

A Tui spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that the firm was 'very sorry to hear of Mr and Mrs MacGregor’s experience in Cape Verde' and that someone will be in contact with them to discuss the matter

A shot showing the bites running around MacGregor's neck

A Tui spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that the firm was ‘very sorry to hear of Mr and Mrs MacGregor’s experience in Cape Verde’ and that someone will be in contact with them to discuss the matter. They added: ‘We would like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all hotels we feature in terms of health and safety, including hygiene’

A Tui spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that the firm was ‘very sorry to hear of Mr and Mrs MacGregor’s experience in Cape Verde’ and someone will be in contact with them to discuss the matter.

They added: ‘We would like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all hotels we feature in terms of health and safety, including hygiene.’ 

MailOnline has contacted the Melia Dunas Resort but is still awaiting a comment on the incident.  

Tui sent a letter to MacGregor on Monday in response to her complaint 

Tui sent a letter to MacGregor on Monday in response to her complaint 



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