Severe bedbug bites following stay at Palmers Lodge, North London
In June 2026, I was scheduled for surgery at a hospital in central London. To make access to the hospital easier, I stayed the night before at Palmers Lodge hostel in North London. The room was hot and dark, with several old bunk beds and no air conditioning. An old floor-standing fan did little to cool the room. It was an extremely uncomfortable night, and I left at 5:30 a.m. I noticed I was itching, but paid little attention to it because I was facing serious surgery and had to be at the hospital by 7:00 a.m.
After my treatment, which involved a five-hour hospital stay, I noticed multiple dark, bleeding lesions on my limbs. They worsened. I attended A&E and asked whether the marks could be related to my treatment. The doctors were puzzled and said they were not related to my procedure. Photographs were taken, and I was urgently referred to the dermatology department the next day. At that appointment, further photographs were taken, and I was asked where I had slept before the procedure.
I was told I had severe bedbug bites. The dermatologist strongly advised me to pursue legal action as soon as possible and took reference photographs to support my case. The doctor was also concerned about the health and safety of the establishment. Palmers Lodge has denied liability despite many complaints and what appear to be admissions in online reviews. I intend to take the matter further.
I would strongly advise anyone who values their health to avoid this hostel.