A British couple's anniversary trip to Madrid took a disturbing turn after they discovered a hidden camera pointed directly at their bed inside their Airbnb apartment.

Donna, 62, and Raymond Nunn, 87, had travelled to the Spanish capital for a bucket-list trip marking their 39th wedding anniversary. The couple arrived at an apartment in Madrid's Lavapiés neighbourhood on August 3.

What was supposed to be a memorable holiday quickly turned into a frightening experience after they discovered a second device inside the bedroom.

The First Device Didn't Raise Alarm

Shortly after arriving at the apartment, the couple noticed what appeared to be a motion sensor or camera in the living room.

The device was positioned facing the front door. However, there was no flashing light, so the couple assumed it was simply a security device and did not pay much attention to it.

The following day, however, they discovered something far more concerning.

While Donna was out sightseeing, Raymond remained at the apartment and noticed another device inside the bedroom.

This time, there was a flashing green light.

The device was tucked into a corner of the room and positioned directly towards the couple's bed.

Donna said the camera was around four inches long.

The discovery was particularly disturbing because the couple had already spent a night sleeping in the room without knowing that the camera was there.

Couple Was Forced to Leave the Airbnb

After discovering the camera, the couple contacted Airbnb on August 4.

They were advised to leave the property immediately.

However, by that point it was around 8 pm, meaning the couple suddenly had to find somewhere else to stay.

They eventually managed to book another apartment approximately two hours south of Madrid.

The couple left the Airbnb on August 5, just two days after arriving.

Donna described the moment they discovered the camera as terrifying. She said both she and Raymond were shaking when they realised what they had found.

Raymond removed the camera from the wall and turned it around.

The discovery also disrupted their plans for the Madrid trip. Because they had to leave the apartment and relocate, they were unable to complete their sightseeing plans.

Airbnb Gave Them a Full Refund

Airbnb responded to the incident after the couple reported the device.

The company provided the couple with a full refund for their stay, including the cost of their replacement accommodation.

Airbnb also removed the property listing from its platform.

The company said it had suspended the listing while it conducted a further investigation into the matter.

An Airbnb spokesperson also pointed out that the company changed its security-camera policy in 2024.

Under that policy, indoor security cameras are banned in Airbnb listings, regardless of where they are placed or whether they are deactivated while guests are staying at the property.

The company said that when a listing violates its security-camera policy, it can take action that includes removing both listings and users from the platform.

The Camera Was Pointed Directly at the Bed

The location of the second device made the discovery particularly alarming for the couple.

According to the report, it was not simply placed somewhere in the room without a clear direction. The device was tucked into a corner and aimed directly at the bed.

The couple had already slept in the room before discovering it.

That meant they only realised what had happened after spending their first night in the property.

The incident left the couple frightened enough to abandon the accommodation and change their travel plans.

Their Anniversary Trip Was Cut Short

The Madrid trip had been planned as a special journey to celebrate the couple's 39th wedding anniversary.

Instead, the discovery of the hidden camera forced them to leave the property and find another place to stay outside Madrid.

Although the replacement apartment was described as nice, the couple could no longer complete their planned sightseeing.

Donna said the experience had affected how she felt about returning to Madrid in the future.

The incident highlights how a seemingly ordinary holiday rental can become deeply unsettling when guests discover a device that appears to violate their privacy.

What Airbnb Says About Indoor Cameras

Airbnb said that it banned all indoor security cameras in 2024.

The policy applies regardless of where an indoor camera is located and regardless of whether the device is switched off during a guest's stay.

In this case, Airbnb said it had suspended the property listing while investigating the report.

The company also issued the couple a full refund, including the cost associated with their rebooking.

For the couple, however, the refund could not undo the experience of discovering a camera aimed at their bed after they had already spent a night inside the apartment.

The incident has left what was supposed to be a special anniversary holiday with a very different memory.