**Stockport Mum’s Welsh Getaway Marred by Painful ‘Hot Tub Rash’: ‘I Felt Ravaged’**
A mother celebrating her 40th birthday in Wales has spoken out after a ‘gruesome’ rash she attributes to a holiday hot tub left her self-conscious and confined to her home for a fortnight. Francesca Newton, a copywriter from Stockport, travelled to North Wales with two close friends for what was meant to be a relaxing celebration. The trip, however, quickly took a distressing turn, highlighting ongoing concerns about hygiene standards in shared spa facilities.
Ms Newton said that the primary appeal of the lodge was its private hot tub — an amenity she’d enjoyed in the past at various venues without incident. Recalling the afternoon of her arrival, the group spent around 30 minutes in the jacuzzi, sipping champagne and chatting. However, Francesca noted the water had a very strong chemical odour, although this initially didn’t ring any alarm bells.
Within a day, small pimples began to appear on Francesca’s upper torso. These soon developed into what she describes as an ‘absolutely wild’ rash spanning her chest, neck, and back. “I looked in the mirror and just felt shocked,” Francesca told reporters. “It was unbearably itchy. My skin looked diseased, and I felt really self-conscious and even a bit ashamed.”
A GP visit confirmed Francesca was suffering from folliculitis – a bacterial infection also known as ‘hot tub rash’. She was prescribed antibiotics, antihistamines, and topical creams to calm the irritation. “It was tough emotionally,” Francesca recalled. “I didn’t want anyone to see my skin. I avoided the gym, covered my neck, and just tried to keep to myself until it cleared. The fear of being judged for my appearance really got to me.”
Francesca mentioned she had strictly followed the lodge’s hygiene guidelines, showering before using the tub. She also reached out to the retreat’s management the day after the rash appeared, and followed up twice as her symptoms worsened, but said she received no reply. “I’d never experienced anything like it. One of my friends got a similar rash under her arm,” she said. “From what I’ve read, it’s about cleaning, not just the amount of chemicals.”
After two weeks of treatment and discomfort, the rash eventually subsided, but the ordeal has made Francesca and her friends cautious about using shared spas in the future. “It’s not a long-term thing, thank goodness, but it was gruesome while it lasted,” she reflected.
The owner of Herons Lake Retreat, where Francesca stayed, told Wales Online the health and safety of guests is a top priority. “Each tub is freshly cleaned, flushed, and chemically balanced before each guest’s arrival,” a spokesperson said. “Based on our investigations, the vast majority of the 10-15 annual hot tub-related issues arise when hygiene instructions—such as showering beforehand—are not kept.” The retreat reiterated that guidelines regarding proper use are clearly stated at check-in and on their website.
Despite these policies, Francesca’s account raises questions about the efficacy of routine cleaning and whether more proactive communication and follow-up for guests reporting illnesses is warranted. Microbial risks in hot tubs are well-documented, with health experts warning that even properly treated water can become contaminated if not thoroughly and regularly cleaned, or if guidelines are not stringently enforced.
This incident underscores the need for both holidaymakers and hospitality businesses to be vigilant when it comes to spa facility hygiene. As staycations and ‘glamping’ destinations grow in popularity, so too does the importance of shared responsibility to avoid preventable health scares.
Many guests continue to enjoy positive experiences at such retreats, but Francesca’s ordeal is a timely reminder that even brief exposure to contaminated water can lead to weeks of distress and discomfort. For anyone planning the ultimate spa break, thorough personal hygiene—and ensuring host facilities are up to standard—remain key.