Coeliacs and followers of a gluten and wheat free diet will appreciate how difficult it can be eating out with a food allergy or intolerance. After DS-gluten free posted a blog on going away gluten free, we decided to conduct a survey into your eating habits of when you’re staying in a hotel.

Our survey showed that 84 per cent of coeliac sufferers and others following a gluten and wheat free diet do not have the confidence that hotels can handle their dietary requirements. This is in spite of the fact that 64% of you call in advance to warn staff beforehand.

Worse still, 56 per cent of people told us that they were either ill from eating gluten by mistake or from cross contamination whilst they were away.

Not surprisingly, 42 per cent opt for self-catering accommodation where they can prepare gluten free meals from scratch or bring their own gluten and wheat free foods in advance.

Hotels are clearly missing out on an excellent opportunity by not catering for a gluten free diet and other food allergies or intolerances. Coeliac UK have estimated that caterers could be missing out on up to £100 million a year* by not catering for those following a gluten free diet. Also friends and family members may also choose to stay elsewhere! Sadly only 5% of respondents told us that their gluten free diet was well catered for in a hotel. For the complete survey results scroll to the bottom of the page.

If you’ve had an experience in a hotel and want to share your story, or maybe you were one of the 5 per cent of people well catered for and want to recommend a great gluten free hotel - please comment below!

For more information on going away gluten free check out our handy hints and tips.

*Source CUK press release

Do you think that gluten free diets are well catered for when you go on holiday/stay in hotels?
Yes 15 (5%)
No 146 (43%)
Sometimes 175 (52%) 

When you go on holiday, would you usually stay:
A mixture, it depends on the holiday (38%)
Bed and breakfast (4%)
Full board (7%)
Half board (9%)
Self catering (42%)

When you go on holiday, would your gluten free diet influence your choice of catering options?
No  (7%)
Sometimes  (18%)
Yes (75%)

If you are eating in the accommodation, would you usually contact them in advance to ensure they cater for gluten free diets?
Always (64%)
Never (9%)
Sometimes (27%)

Would you be more likely to stay in hotels which offered food if the choice and quality of gluten free food was better?
No (6%)
Yes (94%)

Are you confident that when you are on holiday, hotels understand what it means to be gluten free?
Yes (16%)
No (84%)

Do you ever pack your own gluten free food to take on holiday?
Always 252 (75%)
Sometimes 76 (23%)
Never 7 (2%)

Have you ever become unwell on holiday due to being gluten free e.g. from cross contamination or from eating gluten containing food?
No  (44%)
Yes (56%)





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