British families demand probe after falling ill from sickness bug at 5-star resort in Greece

British families have demanded a probe into a five-star hotel in Greece after becoming sick with a suspected gastric illness.

Danielle Faulkner, from Newport, South Wales, who travelled to the luxury Apollonian Asterias Resort and Spa on the island of Kefalonia, is one of the guests who fell ill.

The 44-year-old has now instructed lawyers to investigate the hotel, booked through tour operator TUI, saying she saw rat droppings on loungers and people being sick in the pool and restaurant.

Danielle and her daughters Amelie, 15, and 17-year-old Isobel, who also fell ill, travelled together for the first time in five years and paid £3,000 for the trip on 16 July.

Danielle began experiencing sickness and diarrhoea on the second day of her family’s week-long holiday.

The mum-of-two, who has a suppressed immune system due to previously being diagnosed with the incurable condition lupus, said she lost consciousness as a result.

She was treated by a resort doctor and was given antibiotics and anti-sickness injections.

Danielle and Amelie fell ill with similar symptoms on 17 July, and Isobel fell three days later.

Danielle, a business change manager, said: "We made sacrifices and saved hard for months to enjoy what we thought would be a special holiday on which we’d create memories together.

“However, the enthusiasm and excitement we had about our holiday quickly vanished. On only the second day myself and Amelie were struck down.

"It was awful. We couldn’t even keep down water down and in 40-degree heat that was incredibly worrying. Amelie said that she’d never been so ill in her life.

“To then make matters worse Isobel fell ill a few days after.

“The holiday quickly went from what we hoped would be a dream trip to a disaster. What’s even more concerning is that we weren’t alone.

She added: “We know nothing can turn the clock back and make up for what’s happened, but the least we feel we deserve is answers as to why the holiday turned into a nightmare.”

Danielle said after they fell ill, notices were put up outside the restaurant and pool area advising guests there had been sickness in the resort.

She added waiting staff wore masks and gloves, which she assumed was a COVID measure.

She alleged tables weren’t cleaned between guests dining, plates of food were left outside guests' rooms and bags of rubbish were left overnight in corridors.

Jatinder Paul, the specialist international injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who has been instructed by Danielle and her daughters as well as other families, said: “We continue to be contacted by a growing number of people from across the UK who fell ill during holidays to this resort this summer.

“What’s of particular concern is that multiple families are reporting suffering the same serious symptoms and in a short timeframe.

"The ages of those affected range from one-year-old to 57.

A TUI spokesperson added: “We are sorry to hear about these experiences as the health and safety of our customers is our biggest priority.

“Unfortunately, as this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment any further.”

Yahoo News UK has approached Apollonian Asterias Resort and Spa for comment.

The Apollonion Asterias Resort and Spa is sold by many different tour operators and booking providers, and is not a TUI owned hotel.