Nothing ruins a holiday quite like the frustration of hunting for a sunbed, only to find them all reserved with towels. All-inclusive resorts across Europe are now implementing innovative measures to combat this perennial problem, ensuring guests can enjoy their pool time without the early-morning scramble.
Reservation Apps
Some hotels have digitized the sunbed reservation process. At certain Iberostar properties, such as Selection Sábila in Tenerife, guests can book sunbeds via a dedicated app. One guest who used the system last year praised its ease: 'So easy to use. You can book for the next day, but at 1pm each day, you can then book for the following day with no charge. You have to be on your beds by 10.45am, otherwise you can lose them. They come round to check everyone is in the right place.' Another guest noted that the app eliminated arguments around the pool: 'It’s a great system and you can book the same beds each day, no sunbed wars, definitely way forward.'
Assigned Sunbeds
Many travellers are creatures of habit, often gravitating to the same spot each day. Hotels like the Sunrise Beach Hotel in Protaras, Cyprus, part of the Sunrise Group, now offer assigned sunbeds for the entire stay. At check-in, guests can choose from a selection of sunbeds, deciding whether they prefer a sunny or shady spot or which pool to sit by. If the initial allocation is unsatisfactory, staff can help find an alternative, subject to availability. A TripAdvisor review noted: 'Sunbeds are allocated on arrival, so there's no early morning rush. This generally works well, but you may need to negotiate if you want your sunbed in a particular spot.'
Warnings and Fines
Some resorts are taking a firmer stance against towel hogging. Last year, holidaymakers at the H10 Salauris Palace in Salou, Spain, reported finding stern notes on their loungers after leaving belongings unattended for 30 minutes. The note read: 'It is not allowed to reserve sunloungers by leaving towels or belongings. Towels on sunloungers unused for more than 30 minutes may be taken off by staff. Your belongings will be collected carefully and can be picked up at reception.' According to a BBC report, one French holiday camp went further, sounding a horn twice daily; if guests were not at their loungers, all items were removed to lost property. Meanwhile, on beaches in Cullera, near Valencia, two elderly holidaymakers were fined £250 for reserving sunbeds on the frontline. Access to the beach is forbidden between 5am and 8am, with authorities warning of fines for reserving sunbeds and removing items left unattended.
These measures are designed to create a fairer, more relaxing experience for all guests, putting an end to the sunbed wars that have long plagued holiday resorts.
