A father-of-three has said he was made to feel like an “animal” while quarantining in a hotel.
Theo Paulse, 39, who lives in Torquay, Devon, stayed at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel near Heathrow Airport after flying in from South Africa after a family visit.
After leaving on Friday, he told the PA news agency: “For the amount of money they charge, I felt more like a prisoner than actually a guest here.
“I had loads of altercations in the end with staff just not knowing how to treat people because the power went to their head.
“They didn’t realise they were dealing with guests, they just kind of felt like they’ve got to treat you like some kind of animal and keep you in these rooms.”
Mr Paulse added: “It was disheartening and my kids weren’t happy when they were told dad’s not bringing their Christmas presents from their grandmother.”
After leaving the hotel, Mr Paulse continued: “It wasn’t a nice experience but what I can say is all the people that were in here, thank you very much for a nice time.
“We kept each other entertained and made it nice for ourselves, and there was people looking out for each other.
“I’m going to miss the guys in here, but I wouldn’t want to do the experience ever again.
“I can suggest to anybody coming into a quarantine hotel to come prepared because you don’t get any time.
“You go from the plane and you’re escorted right here, and suddenly you find yourself in a situation where you know nothing.”
He said he was looking forward to seeing his children and “getting down to sunny Devon”.
