Brits 'forced to abandon Tenerife hotel and fly back to UK over vile stench'

A British couple who flew to Tenerife claim they were forced to abandon their holiday over a 'vile stench' at their hotel. Emily Clark and Adam Vickerman returned to the UK after just two nights because of a smell they claim left them 'physically gagging and feeling sick'.

Emily claims the smell hit her as soon as she entered the bathroom but 'strangely disappeared' when 23-year-old Adam flushed the toilet. The next day, the foul smell returned.

In a TikTok with more than 8 million views, the pair claim the ordeal forced them to cut their holiday short. Emily, 22, said: "We could not go into the bathroom without physically gagging and feeling sick.

READ MORE: DWP warning over £3k fine to everyone claiming tax credits

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

"I had to brush my teeth in the kitchen sink. When arriving at our room, there was a slight smell of drains outside. Upon opening our bathroom door, the smell of sewage was very apparent.

"When waking up the next morning, my partner turned on the tap in the bathroom and the awful smell came back up into the bathroom." The couple, who were staying at Checkin Bungalows, in Los Cristianos, booked their trip through travel agents On The Beach, Mirror reports. The couple, from Beverley, East Yorkshire, said they complained to reception.

They claim they waited two hours for a cleaner, who allegedly 'gagged' when she entered the room. He poured what appeared to be bleach down the toilet which initially helped, but the smell returned within two hours, they claimed.

Amy and Adam called booking agents who advised them to raise the issue directly with the hotel. The pair claim they attempted to get a room change but said the request was not granted by the hotel.

They then looked into alternative accommodation but found local hotels were costing £800 for their final five nights. They discovered that flying back to the UK was the cheapest option.

Emily said: "We knew it wouldn’t be a five-star hotel, but the pictures advertised made it look nice. No matter what star hotel you may stay at, I feel basic sanitation is always necessary.

"I felt we were not even met with this basic need. My boyfriend, having worked extremely hard to have paid to take us away, was disappointed. He felt like his whole trip had been tainted by the experience, as did I.

"I felt uncomfortable and unsafe in a foreign country and at that moment all I wanted to do was be at home. With us requesting a room change and being denied one, we felt if we complained again regarding the smell that the staff may become rude or treat us differently while staying there."

The pair booked the next flight home on June 15 - just two nights after they had arrived at their hotel. They complained to their booking provider once home and were given a full refund.

But they have said they have been put off ever going back to Tenerife. Emily said: "Neither of us wants to return. I have been a few times previously and absolutely loved it but this had dampened our view on the island.

"Upon leaving the hotel we actually felt very happy. Honestly, we felt relieved. TikTokers took to the comment section to share their thoughts.

One user wrote: "There is nothing on this Earth that would make me come home early." Another said: "I had the same experience, I just moved hotels [though]."

Another said: "I was in Tenerife last year. Never again." One person said: "Never go below 4* on holiday and always 4.5+ trip advisor."

The Checkin Bungalow and On The Beach have been contacted for comment.