What was supposed to be a dream getaway quickly spiralled into a holiday from hell for the guests after they suffered gastric illnesses at the luxury five-star resort – which they say served them raw food
A group of 25 British tourists are suing a luxury five-star resort in Cape Verde after falling seriously ill on the “nightmare” trip.
What was supposed to be a dream getaway quickly spiralled into a holiday from hell for the guests after they allegedly suffered gastric illnesses while staying at the Riu Karamboa, in Boa Vista. The group claim there were disturbing scenes around the hotel’s buffet – birds, flies, and even cats wandering freely. The food, they allege, was often “raw and undercooked,” served alongside “dirty crockery and cutlery.”
One NHS worker who splurged £3,000 to celebrate early retirement said she ended up hospitalised with a severe E.coli infection during her holiday. Sharon Burrow, 56, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, recalled how the luxury break became “one of the worst experiences of her life,” and eight months on, she still battles ongoing complications.
Another guest, Penny Robson, a 55-year-old paramedic from London, was forced to take antibiotics after battling a brutal bout of gastric symptoms – bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Penny, who paid £2,000 for a weeklong stay with a friend in September 2023, had to cancel two prepaid excursions, including a stargazing trip and a private island tour, after falling ill five days in.
Together with Sharon and others, Penny is now part of a group of 25 holidaymakers who have enlisted lawyers to investigate the resort’s hygiene standards and seek justice after their nightmare stays. Sharon, 56, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, travelled to Riu Karamboa for a ten day break on September 20, 2024. But around five days into the holiday, she said she started to suffer from aches and pains, and a fever before experiencing stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
She visited A&E when she landed in the UK and tests confirmed she had E.coli and shigella. Sharon said doctors suspected she contracted the infection on holiday. The mental health worker said: “I was unwell for nearly three weeks and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I was in so much pain and completely drained – it felt like my body just shut down.
“I’d been concerned about hygiene at the hotel. Food was served at room temperature and new food was added to existing food. I saw dirty crockery, cats in and around the restaurant and empty plates attracting flies were left on tables. I feel completely let down and while it’s too late for me the least I feel I deserve is answers and to raise awareness of what I’ve been through so hopefully others don’t have to.”
Penny was meanwhile left requiring medical treatment at the resort, including antibiotics and electrolytes, after she fell poorly five days into the holiday.
Since returning home, Penny has been left suffering ongoing anxiety, with the illness having a lasting impact on her confidence and wellbeing. She said: “I was looking forward to my holiday and had saved for months. However, the excitement for the holiday quickly disappeared when I started feeling unwell. It completely ruined what should have been a relaxing time. I’ve never felt so vulnerable while abroad.
“I’m very cautious now regarding where I would book a holiday. This has affected my choices and I travel much shorter distances to Europe as I don’t feel confident travelling to further afield places. I no longer trust my body and if I ever eat out I constantly worry about food and how it’s prepared. I just want answers as to how my holiday became a nightmare.”
Law firm Irwin Mitchell is currently representing more than 1,400 holidaymakers who suffered serious illnesses linked to holidays in Cape Verde since 2022. Jatinder Paul, the international serious injury lawyer representing those who have fallen ill, said: “This is yet another resort in Cape Verde that has come under the spotlight following reports of serious illness.
“We’re already representing more than 1,400 British holidaymakers who have suffered gastric illness linked to holidays on the islands over the last three years. Illnesses like E.coli are serious and can lead to long-term health complications. It’s vital that if any issue are identified, swift action is taken to eradicate the risks to other holidaymakers.
“While nothing can make up for their ordeals, this latest group we represent understandably want answers. They booked what they hoped would be luxury holidays, but the first-hand accounts we’ve heard about their holiday were anything but luxury. As part of our investigations, we would be interested in hearing from other guests staying at the hotel at the same time as this group.”
The Riu Karamboa resort told the Mirror: “For RIU Hotels & Resorts, the health and safety of our guests is our highest priority. That is why we adhere to strict Health & Safety protocols and comply with all applicable regulations. Additionally, we work closely with local health authorities to ensure a safe environment for both our guests and employees. As part of our proactive approach to preventing health issues, we conduct thorough internal and external audits on a regular basis.
“Our hotels in Cape Verde, which consist of six properties with a total of 4,650 rooms, maintain an average occupancy rate of over 80%. Given this high level of activity, we continuously monitor our operations to uphold the highest health and safety standards.”