A self-confessed sunbed hogger has branded hotel measures to prevent the early-morning dash for loungers as 'silly', insisting that apps and patrols will not stop determined holidaymakers. Johnny Seifert, 33, from London, admits he is first at the pool every day, using a towel, t-shirt, and an open book to reserve a spot before breakfast.
Sunbed wars rage on
Sun lounger conflicts have plagued resorts in Spain, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, and Turkey for years. Hotels have tried various tactics, from apps like Reservato to security guards and towel removal policies. However, Seifert, host of the Secure The Insecure podcast, believes these efforts are futile.
'If you want the best sunbed, get up early and get it,' he argues. He wakes at 7am to nab prime positions, sometimes earlier if he wants multiple beds. His strategy involves placing a towel, t-shirt, and an open book to simulate occupancy, then leaving for breakfast and walks, returning later to use the lounger for up to eight hours.
Hotel innovations
Reservato, a new app, allows guests to book loungers via smartphone, with a countdown timer for unattended beds. Hotels can also remove items after the booking expires. Some resorts, like St George Beach Hotel in Cyprus, assign specific sunbeds for the entire stay, while others in France sound a horn twice daily to clear unoccupied loungers.
Security guards have been hired at venues like Sunset Beach Club in Benalmádena, where gates unlock at 9am and towels are removed if beds are empty by 10am. A Reddit user praised a resort in the Dominican Republic where lifeguards patrol and confiscate abandoned belongings.
Critics speak out
Seifert dismisses these measures as 'regimented' and 'like being at work'. He values the freedom to choose a lounger spontaneously, even if it means missing the best spots. 'If you're going to start booking on an app, that's not a holiday,' he says.
However, some guests appreciate the system. A Tripadvisor review of a Tenerife hotel called the app 'brilliant' and 'easy to use'. Others have taken legal action: David Eggert won £851.75 after his tour operator failed to secure sunbeds during a ten-night stay.
As summer approaches, the battle for loungers continues. Whether new measures will end the dawn dashes remains to be seen, but for Seifert, the early bird will always win.
