The age-old battle for sunbeds at European resorts is evolving, with hotels introducing a variety of measures to de-escalate the pre-breakfast rush for loungers. These efforts range from legal precedents set by disgruntled guests to technological solutions like booking apps and strict time-based usage policies.
One significant development is the legal precedent established by a German tourist, David Eggert. In 2024, Eggert successfully sued his tour operator after finding all 400 sunbeds at the five-star Grecotel Kos Imperial on the Greek island of Kos reserved with towels, despite his early morning efforts to secure a pair. He was awarded over £800 in compensation, with Eggert noting the ruling could encourage similar legal action from guests facing the same problem during peak season.
In response to such conflicts, some resorts are implementing advanced reservation systems. The Melia Costa del Sol Hotel in Torremolinos, Spain, now offers guests the option to book sun loungers on the beach in advance for a daily fee, a service previously unavailable to Mr. Clayton Smith and his group, who still engaged in the traditional morning race for poolside spots. Similarly, the St George Beach Hotel & Spa Resort in Paphos, Cyprus, allocates guests a sunbed upon check-in, with options to change based on availability. The Iberostar Selection Sabila in Tenerife uses an app for advance bookings, requiring guests to occupy their reserved lounger by 10:30 a.m. to avoid forfeiture.
Cruise lines are also addressing the issue. P&O Cruises has implemented a "lonely lounge" policy, where unattended loungers left for more than 30 minutes have a hood placed over them with a notification. Carnival Cruise Line employs a "ChairShare Team" that places timed stickers on unoccupied loungers; if a seat remains empty for 40 minutes, personal belongings are removed and stored.
These new strategies aim to balance guest expectations with the practical limitations of available space. At the Melia Costa del Sol, with 540 rooms, accommodating over 1,000 guests requiring sunbeds is unfeasible. Assistant Guest Experience Manager Jose Benitez stated that while towels are subject to removal if a sunbed is unoccupied for 45 minutes, this is rarely enforced to prevent guest disturbances. He also noted that hotel contracts do not guarantee a sunbed for every guest.
Not all guests are satisfied with the new systems. Some, like Joanne Bromilow, find that even pre-booked loungers may not be in desirable locations, such as next to restrooms or in shaded areas. The practice of early morning reservation persists at some hotels, like the Sol Hotel, where many beds are claimed by 7 a.m.
While British holidaymakers have a reputation for sunbed hogging, a survey of German tourists revealed that many of them also view it as a predominantly German custom. Travel agencies suggest that reserving sunbeds may become a standard add-on service for holidays, similar to selecting airplane seats or cinema tickets, with customers willing to pay for assurance of a prime spot.
For some, like Clayton Smith, the challenge of securing sunbeds is part of the holiday ritual, offering a reward for their early morning efforts. However, for those who prefer a more relaxed approach, the emerging booking and allocation systems offer a potential solution to the enduring sunbed wars.