A couple have said their “once in a lifetime luxury holiday” to the Maldives has turned into “one of the most stressful experiences” after having to ditch their luxury resort for a “budget” £500-a-night hotel due to the Iran-US war. Lauren Higgins, 38, and her partner, Adam Wilson, travelled to the paradise destination to celebrate his 40th birthday.

However, Lauren was left devastated after her flight home, via Bahrain, was cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The duo has had to check out of their five-star luxury resort, Dhigurah Island, in the Noonu Atoll, and now fear they may have to spend up to three weeks in the Holiday Inn before they can fly home.

Lauren said that although friends at home have told her “there’s worse places to be stranded”, she has found the situation extremely stressful, as she is self-employed, so is not making any money while she is away.

The couple are nervous about what will happen when their credit card gets maxed out, and believe their travel company “should be doing more to help”.

Lauren, a lash and brow technician from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, who originally shared her story with Talk To The Press, said: “It was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime luxury holiday and a chance to celebrate a big milestone together.

“Instead, it has turned into one of the most stressful experiences we’ve ever been through. The trip was amazing; the Maldives is the best place we’ve ever been to; it’s paradise.

“When we found out our flight home was cancelled, it was horrific, we have no idea when we’re actually going to be home. There’s no availability on any flights, we could be here another three weeks.

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She described checking out of Siyam World Resort and into a Holiday Inn “a huge downgrade”.

Lauren’s travel insurance company has also said they don’t cover for “war” – meaning that she has so far had to fork out £2,500 for five nights in the hotel. As a result, Lauren has been putting all costs on her credit card, but is worried about what they do next once that is maxed out.

“A lot of people back home say ‘there’s worse places to be stranded’, and at the start we thought it was exciting to be there a few more days. But once you realise the situation and how long you could potentially be here, it does get quite scary.”

Lauren and Adam jetted off to the Maldives for the trip of a lifetime on February 25. They checked into Siyam World, a five-star all-inclusive luxury resort and had an incredible few days eating “amazing” food, enjoying the floating water park and soaking up the sun. The couple had a Gulf Air flight from the Maldives to Bahrain booked for March 4, and were going to spend two days there before flying back to the UK on March 6. However, on March 2, they were told by the airline that their flight had been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Lauren was devastated because she had left her 17-year-old son at home to look after the dog.

“We told him we weren’t going to be away for long,” she said.

The couple have no idea when they will be able to get home, as Gulf Air’s operations are currently suspended, and say they could be stranded for another three weeks. They have considered alternative routes home, such as flying to Mumbai, then Singapore, then London, but said that these flights are selling for up to £5,000.

Lauren said she feels “abandoned” by the travel company with which she booked the trip: “They’ve been horrific, they’ve just told us to try and make our own way back,” she said. She has also contacted the British Embassy, but said she was on hold for an hour and then the phone line cut off before they could provide any assistance.

She added that some of her clients are looking for appointments elsewhere, as they know she is stranded.

“My business is going to struggle,” she said.