Jewish holidaymaker who complained about swastika in hotel bathroom told it was ‘design feature’ 

A Jewish holidaymaker shared her anger after being confronted by a swastika in a hotel bathroom she was staying in – only to be told by staff that it was not offensive and was a “design element.”

Emily White, 33, was left stunned as she checked into the four-star Plow Inn in Marsham, Norfolk, and went to the bathroom of her £100 a night room where she saw the Nazi symbol on display.

The swastika was embossed into a wooden board with toilet rolls, prompting Ms White to complain to staff.

The swastika was embossed into a wooden board (pictured) containing toilet rolls, prompting Ms White to complain to staff.

When Mrs White complained to staff at the Plow Inn in Marsham (pictured), they told her it was ‘not offensive and was a design feature’

She told MailOnline: “I saw it the night I checked in, but it wasn’t until the morning that I decided to alert the staff. I wasn’t sure if they knew there was a swastika in the bathroom and what it meant.

“I felt really angry, but what was even more sickening was the hotel’s response. I complained to three employees and they admitted they knew it was there.’

She was furious: “But they justified it by saying it wasn’t offensive and was a design element after the hotel was refurbished last year.”

Ms White, who is from Canada but has lived in East London for the past ten years, added: ‘I am Jewish and the swastika is racist and anti-Semitic. I don’t understand why the hotel has it there and their explanation is insulting.’

Ms White (pictured) said she found the explanation given to her by staff as to why there was a swastika in the hotel bathroom ‘offensive’

The swastika was embossed into a wooden board (pictured) containing toilet rolls, prompting Ms White to complain to staff.

Ms White stayed at the traditional country hotel with a group of friends after attending a wedding earlier this month.

Before leaving, she filmed one of her friends expressing concern among staff who admitted they were aware of the swastika but insisted it wasn’t in all hotel rooms.

When asked about it, one of the employees replies: ‘It’s not meant for anything.’

After she left the hotel, Ms White also complained to Booking.com, through which she booked her room, alerted them to the swastika and demanded an apology.

After contacting the hotel on her behalf, Booking.com told her that the swastika in the bathroom of the Plow Inn is associated with Indian culture and not Nazism.

Despite its ties to Hitler’s regime, the swastika is originally a sacred symbol in Hinduism and a common sight in homes and temples in India.

The word swastika comes from Sanskrit svastika, meaning “happiness” or “well-being,” and the symbol can trace its origins back nearly 7,000 years.

When Mrs White complained to staff at the Plow Inn in Marsham (bedroom in the hotel pictured), they told her it was ‘not offensive and was a design feature’.

But Ms. White insisted: ‘I appreciate the cultural significance of the swastika, but anyway, we’re not in India. This is in a hotel in Norfolk where it has totally different connotations.

“The hotel’s reasons for wearing a swastika are just nonsense. They cannot claim ignorance – everyone knows what it stands for. It should be removed immediately, but they are so brazen about it. To me this is active racism.’

In addition to an apology, Ms. White, who works as a product manager for a startup company, is now also demanding a full refund.

She said, “At first I just wanted an apology and the removal of the swastika. But after hearing the justifications from the hotel, I am so angry that I want my money back too. That’s the least they can do.’

The Plow Inn has been contacted for comment.