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Bed Bugs Stick It To Celeb Lawyer at Mandarin Oriental

Where: 66 Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom, SW1X 7LA

When you thought only crappy roadside motels and budget inns were prone to bed bugs comes this report that a Manhattan couple visting the Mandarin Oriental in London was allegedly attacked by bed bugs during their recent stay.

Sidney Bluming, a prominent New York celebrity lawyer, and his wife, Cynthia, are suing the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, owner of the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, after staying at the fashionable London hotel last May. According to the lawsuit, which is seeking several million dollars in damages, the Blumings were bitten hundreds of times during their five-night stay leaving their skin red, swollen and itchy. A spokesman for Mr Bluming, whose clients include Elizabeth Taylor and Claudia Schiffer, said: "People associate bed bugs with more of a lower-end class of hotel. Clearly that's not the case here; the Mandarin is as premier and luxurious as any hotel could make themselves out to be.""

A hotel spokesperson confirmed that there was an isolated infestation incident in one of the Mandarin's nearly $1,000 rooms but that there have been no more reports since.

Unfortunately, that is of little condolence to the Bluming's who found bed bugs nested in their luggage and clothes even when they returned to New York. Their apartment had to be fumigated and several personal effects thrown away.

We can't help but wonder--is this the newest bed bug trend? Luxury hotel infestations?

Related Stories:
· Exclusive London hotel sued over bedbug attack [Times UK]