Couple's Madrid Airbnb Trip Turns Into Nightmare After Hidden Camera Discovery

A British couple's long-awaited anniversary trip to Madrid took an unexpected turn after they discovered a hidden camera inside their Airbnb apartment, allegedly positioned to record the bed.

Donna Nunn, 62, and her husband Raymond, 87, had travelled to the Spanish capital for a special trip marking their 39th wedding anniversary. They checked into an Airbnb property in the Lavapiés area on August 3 and initially had no reason to suspect that their privacy was being compromised.

Camera Discovered Inside Bedroom

Soon after arriving, the couple noticed a device in the living room that appeared to be either a motion sensor or a security camera. Since it showed no flashing light, they did not consider it suspicious.

The situation changed the following day when Raymond, who had remained at the apartment while Donna was sightseeing, noticed another device inside the bedroom.

Donna later described the device as being roughly four inches long. It reportedly had a flashing green light and was placed in a corner where it had a direct view of the bed.

The discovery shocked the couple because they had already spent a night sleeping in the room without knowing that a camera was reportedly facing them.

Airbnb Asked Couple To Leave

The couple contacted Airbnb on August 4 after discovering the device. They were advised to leave the property immediately.

However, the timing created another problem. It was around 8pm, and the couple had to find alternative accommodation at short notice.

They eventually managed to arrange another apartment around two hours south of Madrid. They left the Airbnb on August 5, cutting their planned stay short.

Donna said the discovery left both of them shaken. She also said the incident affected their plans to explore Madrid, turning what was supposed to be a memorable anniversary holiday into a distressing experience.

Airbnb Suspends Property Listing

Airbnb said it issued the couple a full refund, including the cost associated with their replacement accommodation. The company also suspended the property listing while investigating the incident.

The company said it has prohibited indoor security cameras in Airbnb properties since 2024, regardless of where such cameras are installed or whether they are switched off while guests are staying at the property.

Airbnb added that violations of its camera policy can result in action against both listings and users.

Couple's Holiday Cut Short

After relocating, the couple continued their trip elsewhere but were unable to complete their original Madrid plans.

For Donna and Raymond, the incident was particularly upsetting because they had chosen the trip to celebrate nearly four decades of marriage. Instead of returning home with memories of a special holiday, they were left dealing with concerns over privacy and the discovery of a camera inside their accommodation.

The case also highlights the importance of checking unfamiliar devices inside short-term rental properties and reporting anything suspicious to the platform immediately.