It wasn’t a happy and joyful Christmas for many staying at Bembridge Coast Hotel over the festive period as dozens of guests were struck down with norovirus – with several hospitalised.
It’s claimed that as many as 40 rooms had reported symptoms, meaning as many as 80 guests were potentially hit by the vomiting and diarrhoea bug.
Speaking to Island Echo, 1 guest explained how he ended up in A&E on Christmas Day due to concerns for his health. He was later discharged and had to pay a £40 taxi fee to get back to the hotel in Bembridge, where the war pensioner and his wife stayed to recuperate before heading home.
He says that the alarm should have gone off in their heads when they arrived on 23rd December to see ‘cleaning supplies’ attached to the door handles of each room.
It was during the early hours of Christmas morning – not even 2 days into their stay – that the couple became ill, with the hotel advising that they stayed in their room and drink cooled boiled water.
As the couple headed home on Boxing Day night, it was noted that the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service was in attendance. Furthermore, they saw an elderly gentleman in the hallway dressed in only a nappy and t-shirt, in a very confused and disorientated state.
Talking about their experience, it’s been said:
“The fact that Warner’s target is an older demographic, they should really be aware that like any organisation they have a duty of care to their guests, especially when some of them are not in the best of health. An incident like this can have serious repercussions on the long term health of their guests.
Article continues below this advertisement “I believe that once the incident started, at the very least they could have got a couple of agency nurses in to check on the guests welfare. I know that it is Christmas, but generally you can always get agency nurses.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that one of the elderly guests was found collapsed in the bathroom and was immobile and confused and rushed to hospital. He was his wife’s carer and who was going to look after her?”
Warner Leisure Hotels has been approached for a statement, but a response is yet to be received.
However, in a letter handed to guests, Warner Leisure Hotels confirmed that a ‘small number’ of guests at the hotel had reported illness with the symptoms suggesting it may be norovirus.
In the letter, the hotel’s management confirmed that as soon as they recognised the signs of norovirus, they implemented their detailed procedures and a specialist cleaning regime in order to bring the situation quickly under control.
Guests staying over the Twixmas period say that they were given no warning prior to arrival that there had been an outbreak over Christmas.
UPDATE THURSDAY – Warner Leisure Hotels has confirmed that the situation has now been resolved following a deep clean, with no new norovirus cases in the past 4 days.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/bembridge-coast-hotel-confirms-no-new-cases-of-norovirus-in-4-days/.
I think it is terrible.
The least they should have done is notify guests that were due to arrive about the situation ???
That way they have the choice , personally I would have wanted to know , but definitely would not have gone.
Bad management, hope everyone got a refund,……?
Also hope those that were affected are OK .
Yes, i agree, but why do these places insist on putting all their bad eggs in one basket.
Just like when they had a flood in the Bowls Hall and didn’t inform any of their guests before arrival but instead waited until they were checking in to tell them.
Baring in mind a lot of the older demographic book specifically for Bowls.
And it’s not exactly a cheap holiday, either! The cost of a week at Bembridge Coast could easily pay for an all inclusive trip to Spain!
I think Warner’s need to keep a closer eye on their Hotels!
We stayed at the hotel over Christmas and we had a lovely stay, staff were excellent.
Booked again next year, we met some lovely people, Entertainment was very good, plenty of food.
See you all next year.
Stay Safe Fred & Gillian
Agreed. I stayed there and lost 2 1/2 stone
Could even fit into the jeans I bought 5 years ago
I have stayed 5 times at Warners Bembridge Hotel it is lovely the food is good rooms clean and comfy plus great entertainment also lovely staff.Dont blame the Hotel it was sad for the Guests but these things happen and there are a lot of nasty bugs around i do hope all the guests are better.Bye the way Mr Ashton it is not full of old people just no children
This is appalling. The NHS is under enough pressure. The hotel should take responsibility for protecting its guests
>Nhs under pressure
Better take another clot shot then
Could you think of anything worse than staying than a christmas break in a hotel with hundred’s of old people complaining.
It is bad enough putting up with them in shops where they spend most of the time whinging
One day you’ll be old yourself
If he is lucky its a privilege to get old that not everyone gets to enjoy.
Not if he keeps whinging like that
Get a life sunshine, as soon as you are born your get old, let’s hope you get to collect your pension if there is one for you when you retire, oh that’s if you bother to work.
Did you get a refund !!!
I work in a shop in Bembridge, on boxing day there was a steady stream of the hotel guest’s coming in to buy their refreshments, bottled water etc.
What irritated me was the constant feed of moans, but had no concerns of spreading the virus onto us or other innocent festive folk. As long as they could complain to us about the hotel and buy their goods, all was OK.
I don’t understand why the guests were allowed to leave the hotel and I find myself thinking that they were acting selfishly. And that goes to Warners too
IMO All old people are selfish, not the few that went through the war, but the new lot.
Me me me me…….they have f****d this Country !
Warners were closed to guests for several days previously for maintenance therefore any bug introduced was the responsibility guests arriving for Christmas who failed to disclose the fact that they were unwell and in addition, failed to wash their hands sufficiently.
This is not the fault of the hotel but the selfish and dishonest behaviour of guests.
Typical selfish old people leave the Hotel and spread it round the island