Costa Blanca Holiday Horror as Food Poisoning Outbreak Hits Four-Star Hotel

Published: 25 August 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

A major health scare has struck the popular resort town of La Manga near Murcia, Spain, where more than one hundred tourists – including several children and a 15-month-old baby – have fallen ill with suspected salmonella poisoning at the four-star Izan Cavanna Hotel. The outbreak, which unfolded over the weekend, has left holidaymakers reeling, with dozens requiring hospital treatment and others confined to their rooms in severe discomfort.

The crisis began after guests attended a Saturday buffet lunch at the seafront hotel. Within hours, large numbers began suffering from nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in many cases, fever. The severity of the outbreak forced local authorities to set up a field hospital inside the hotel itself, as ambulances repeatedly ferried the worst-affected guests to nearby medical facilities. At least twenty people, among them children, were admitted to hospital, with reports confirming that some patients were placed on rehydration drips while others were treated on stretchers in hotel corridors.

Among the more concerning cases is that of an eight-month-pregnant woman, whose husband revealed on social media that she was admitted to Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena. The same guest expressed frustration at the hotel’s lack of communication, stating that he had alerted staff early on Sunday morning but received no follow-up calls despite his wife’s vulnerable condition and the fact that their belongings remained in the hotel room.

While the precise cause of the contamination has yet to be officially identified, many guests have pointed to the fish served at the buffet as well as a spinach-filled pasta dish with sauce. Accounts from several holidaymakers describe similar experiences of sudden illness after eating these items. One guest recounted how her 15-year-old daughter was discharged from hospital despite still suffering fever and dehydration, only to be later found weak and dizzy in the car park. Another said her friend was left unable to leave her room for over 24 hours after consuming fish from the buffet, while those in her party who had chosen meat dishes avoided illness.

Eyewitness footage from the weekend shows a stream of ambulances arriving at the hotel, underlining the seriousness of the incident. Reports also indicate that families with young children began checking out early, filing complaints at reception before cutting their holidays short. Yet, as the crisis unfolded, the hotel’s official communication channels remained silent on the matter. On Facebook, management continued to promote cocktails and mojitos on Sunday, drawing sharp rebukes from guests who accused the establishment of ignoring a serious public health emergency.

The Izan Cavanna Hotel, which markets itself as one of the most emblematic properties on Spain’s Costa Cálida, features a buffet restaurant, beach bar, and English pub. Its website still boasts a Mediterranean and international buffet menu, though the restaurant is now under investigation by local health authorities. Critics point out that the hotel has long faced mixed reviews from visitors. On TripAdvisor, it holds a 3.4 rating, with many past guests citing poor food quality, dated facilities and complaints about hygiene, including reports of cockroaches in bathrooms. Others described the buffet as resembling a “school cafeteria” with long queues, tasteless food and an overall poor dining experience.

Concerns have also been raised by newly arrived guests, who claim they were not warned of the outbreak when checking in on Sunday. Some even ate at the buffet before it was closed, potentially exposing themselves to the same risk.

Salmonella, the infection suspected in this case, is a common form of food poisoning typically caused by contaminated food or water. Its symptoms generally appear within six hours to six days of infection and include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever, often lasting between four and seven days. While most cases resolve without major complications, vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems can face serious health risks. In rare cases, the bacteria may spread to the bloodstream, causing life-threatening complications or long-term conditions such as reactive arthritis.

Despite the widespread illness and growing criticism, hotel management has yet to issue an official statement addressing the outbreak. Guests and relatives continue to demand accountability and clearer information, with many expressing frustration that commercial promotions are still being shared on the hotel’s social media while those affected remain in distress.

The Spanish health authorities are expected to release further details once the source of the contamination is confirmed. Until then, the Izan Cavanna Hotel remains under scrutiny as one of Spain’s busiest summer destinations finds itself at the centre of an alarming holiday health scandal.