Travelodge Guest Reports More Than 100 Bed Bug Bites After One-Night Cambridge Stay

A one-night hotel stay in Cambridge has turned into a distressing experience for a 31-year-old woman who says she woke up covered in more than 100 suspected bed bug bites.

Hannah Stephenson, from Bassingbourn in South Cambridgeshire, stayed at the Travelodge on Newmarket Road on July 26 after spending an evening in Cambridge with friends. She had chosen to stay at the hotel rather than pay for a taxi home.

According to a report published by the Daily Mail on August 8, Stephenson woke the following morning with itchy red marks across her body. She also noticed blood spots and dark marks on the bedding, before reportedly seeing what she believed were bed bugs on the pillow and among the sheets.

The experience has raised renewed concerns about bed bugs in hotels and the steps travellers can take to identify potential infestations before bringing the pests home.

Guest says she discovered bed bugs after waking up

Stephenson told the Daily Mail that she initially woke feeling unusually itchy and soon noticed red lumps appearing on her arms.

Her concern reportedly increased when she saw blood on the pillow and what appeared to be small dark spots. She then inspected the bedding more closely and said she saw insects.

The reported bites continued to become more noticeable throughout the day.

Stephenson said she counted 37 marks on one hand alone and believed the total number of bites across her body was more than 100.

The Cambridge resident described the discovery as shocking, particularly because she had expected a familiar hotel chain to provide a reliable overnight stay.

She reportedly said that her enjoyable evening of sightseeing and visiting pubs had been overshadowed by what happened at the hotel.

More than 100 bites reportedly left her self-conscious

The physical effects of the reported bites continued after Stephenson left the hotel.

She said that while the swelling had reduced almost two weeks later, her skin still showed numerous visible marks. She compared the appearance to chickenpox and said comments from other people had made her increasingly self-conscious.

According to the Daily Mail report, Stephenson said she had avoided some social events because of the appearance of the marks.

Bed bug bites can affect people differently. Some individuals develop noticeable itchy marks, while others may have little or no visible reaction.

The British Association of Dermatologists says bed bugs can occur even in very clean homes and environments. Their bites can sometimes be confused with bites from other insects or with different skin conditions.

What are bed bugs and how do they spread?

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood. They are particularly associated with places where people sleep, including hotels, hostels, rental properties and homes.

The insects can hide in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, carpets and other small cracks. Because they are capable of hiding during the day, an infestation may not always be immediately obvious.

Hotels can be particularly vulnerable because large numbers of guests regularly move through rooms, potentially allowing insects to travel between locations in luggage and clothing.

Importantly, the presence of bed bugs is not necessarily an indication that a property is dirty. They can be introduced into clean accommodation by travellers and can spread without being noticed for some time.

How to check a hotel room for bed bugs

Travellers who are concerned about bed bugs can carry out a quick inspection when arriving at a hotel.

Rather than immediately placing luggage on the bed, guests can keep suitcases on a luggage rack or another hard surface while checking the sleeping area.

Areas worth examining include mattress seams, the edges of the bed frame, behind the headboard and around nearby furniture.

Possible warning signs can include live insects, shed skins, dark spotting or small blood marks on bedding. However, these signs can have other explanations, so their presence alone does not necessarily prove an infestation.

If a guest believes they have found bed bugs, they should photograph or otherwise document what they have seen and contact hotel management immediately.

Travelodge responds to the complaint

Travelodge reportedly apologised to Stephenson and said customer safety was a priority.

A company spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the hotel group was "deeply sorry" for Stephenson's experience and acknowledged that an incident of this nature could be distressing.

Travelodge also said it uses measures designed to prevent and manage pest problems.

According to the company's statement reported by the Daily Mail, when a pest issue is reported, the affected room and surrounding rooms are taken out of service so they can be inspected and treated by independent pest control specialists.

Stephenson reportedly accepted £2,000 in compensation from Travelodge.

However, she said she believed her complaint initially received insufficient attention and claimed that the situation only received greater attention after she shared photographs of the bites on TikTok.

Travelodge's response indicates that it treats reported pest issues as a matter requiring professional inspection and treatment.

What should hotel guests do after suspected bed bug bites?

Anyone who believes they have been bitten by bed bugs should avoid scratching the affected areas, as broken skin can increase the risk of infection.

Travellers should also take care when returning home. Clothing and other washable items can be washed and dried using appropriate high temperatures where the material allows. Luggage should be inspected carefully rather than immediately stored in a bedroom.

If a person develops severe swelling, signs of infection or symptoms that are causing significant concern, they should seek appropriate medical advice.

It is also worth remembering that skin reactions alone cannot always confirm bed bug bites. Other insects and skin conditions can cause similar symptoms.

A reminder for hotel travellers

Stephenson's reported experience highlights why travellers should remain alert to signs of bed bugs, even when staying in established hotel chains.

Bed bugs are not limited to budget accommodation or poorly maintained properties. They can be transported between locations by luggage and clothing, making prevention and early detection important for hotels and guests alike.

For travellers, a few minutes spent checking the bed and surrounding areas can provide an opportunity to identify potential warning signs before unpacking.

The incident also demonstrates the importance of reporting suspected infestations to hotel management as soon as possible. Prompt professional inspection can help determine whether bed bugs are present and whether neighbouring rooms also require attention.

For Stephenson, what was intended to be a convenient overnight stay after an evening in Cambridge became an unpleasant and highly visible experience. She has said she hopes the incident encourages greater vigilance over bed bug prevention and management in hotels.

Source

The Daily Mail on August 8, 2026.

Disclaimer

The account of the infestation and the number of bites is based on the guest's statements as reported by the Daily Mail. This article does not independently verify the presence or number of bed bugs at the hotel. Medical information is provided for general awareness and should not be treated as professional medical advice.