Travelodge guest reports bed-bug bites after night in Cambridge hotel
A 31-year-old woman said she woke up with red welts and blood spots after staying at a Travelodge on Newmarket Road, blaming bed bugs.
After a night in a Travelodge hotel on Newmarket Road, Cambridge, Hannah Stephenson discovered itchy red bumps and blood marks on the sheets, which she said indicated a bed-bug infestation. She complained to the hotel but felt her concerns were dismissed until she shared images of the bites on TikTok, after which the chain contacted her. Travelodge issued an apology, highlighted its expert-led pest-prevention measures, and said any affected rooms are taken out of service for independent treatment.
Stephenson accepted a £2,000 compensation package but hopes the company will improve vigilance. The British Pest Control Association notes that bed bugs are more active in warmer months and advises thorough cleaning and freezing of contaminated items. Stephenson, who has lived abroad in Asia, Africa and South America, said the experience has left her self-conscious and reliant on antihistamines.
Why it matters
It highlights consumer safety concerns and the role of social media in prompting hotel accountability.
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