A British Traveler’s Nightmare in Spain
Kay, a British traveler and military wife, shared her harrowing experience during a trip to Spain, which she described as a “holiday from hell.” The incident began when she was confined to her hotel room due to severe traveler’s diarrhea. Kay, who regularly shares her travel adventures on TikTok, documented the ordeal in a series of videos that have since gone viral.
The story started on a Friday when Kay arrived at the Marylanza hotel in Tenerife. She had dinner at the hotel and soon after, began experiencing extreme gastrointestinal issues. According to her, the problem stemmed from eating a salad that she claimed was washed with tap water. This led to what she called a “holiday tummy,” a common ailment among travelers in areas with poor sanitation.
Kay explained that she follows a vegetarian diet and only consumed fresh vegetables and pizza at the four-star TUI resort. She also avoided drinking tap water. However, her symptoms were so severe that a doctor had to be called to her hotel room, which cost her €100. The doctor warned her that she was just two days away from needing hospitalization.
In a follow-up video, Kay revealed that she was turned away from three local hospitals on the island because she was an English tourist. She expressed frustration, stating that the issue wasn’t just a language barrier but also a lack of respect. She felt the staff were dismissive and even racist. Kay emphasized the importance of private travel insurance, which she now always uses, as it ensures treatment for all nationalities, not just locals.
After being admitted to a private facility, Kay shared details of her treatment, including an IV drip, fluids, and antibiotics. Despite the terrifying experience, she made a full recovery and praised the hospital staff for their efforts. She noted that although communication was challenging, the staff did their best to help her.
Her story resonated with many viewers, who shared similar experiences of food poisoning while traveling abroad. One viewer mentioned never eating salad abroad again, questioning whether it is washed in bottled water. Another recounted a similar experience in Benidorm, where they were sick for seven days. A third shared a story of a bacterial stomach infection contracted in Majorca from contaminated water, even though they didn’t drink it.
Regarding her negative experience with public hospitals, some commenters noted that this is not uncommon, even for Spanish residents. They suggested that doctors in state hospitals may be overworked and underpaid, leading to less-than-ideal care. Others advised using the GHIC card and visiting public hospitals as recommended by insurance companies.
The Daily Mail has reached out to TUI and the Marylanza Hotel for further comment. This incident comes on the heels of another troubling story involving a flight attendant who described a chaotic flight from Edinburgh to Alicante, where three groups of stag dos outnumbered the cabin crew. The flight attendant, Kristina Galvydyte, called it the most traumatic flight of her career, comparing the scene to a night out in a British town at midnight.
These incidents highlight the challenges travelers can face, both in terms of health and hospitality, especially when visiting foreign countries. It underscores the importance of being prepared, having proper insurance, and knowing where to seek help if needed.
