Dozens of vacationers were observed engaging in a frantic rush to secure poolside lounge chairs at a Spanish resort in Salou, Spain, as documented in viral video footage. The scene unfolded on June 24, when more than 40 guests gathered outside the pool entrance prior to its 9 a.m. opening, according to a witness.
Moments after the gates were unlocked, individuals were seen sprinting to claim desirable loungers, using towels and bags to reserve their spots. The witness, identified only as Chris, 34, from Glasgow, Scotland, stated that this behavior was a daily occurrence throughout his week-long stay. Guests would often arrive an hour before the pool opened to join the queue.
Many guests adopted a strategy of reserving a chair before returning to their rooms or heading to breakfast, a practice that left numerous loungers occupied before the pool was actively in use. Chris described the event as a "manic race and scramble for the sunbeds surrounding the pool at the hotel." He added, "I don't judge, but found it funny, so had to film it."
He also noted that this daily scramble left little opportunity for guests who did not participate in the early morning queuing. This phenomenon of reserving loungers is a recurring issue at many resorts during the peak summer travel season.
Similar challenges have been reported in the cruise industry, where passengers have used personal items to reserve chairs for extended periods without occupying them. Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, have implemented policies to address this by placing time-stamped stickers on unattended loungers and removing belongings if guests are absent for approximately an hour. These measures have been met with approval from travelers who felt it helped improve seating availability and curb monopolization of prime spots by "chair hogs."