Holidaymakers in Salou, Spain, have been queuing for an hour before a 'manic race' to claim the best sunbeds around the hotel pool, according to a tourist from Glasgow. Chris, who spoke to SWNS, witnessed more than 40 tourists charging out to reserve prime spots before the pool opened at 9am during his week-long break.
Early Morning Dash for Sunbeds
Chris described the scene as a 'manic race and scramble for the sunbeds surrounding the pool'. He filmed tourists dashing out, reserving beds with towels and bags, then heading back to breakfast. 'Some people just rolled out their bed, queued up, mad dashed to secure the bed then they were seen going back to their hotel rooms or off for breakfast. It doesn't leave room for those who don't queue for an hour,' he said.
Hotel Policies to Curb Sunbed Hogging
Many hotels have introduced rules to prevent guests from exploiting the early morning dash. Towel-removal policies allow staff to clear unattended towels after a set time, storing them in lost property. Some hotels have abolished towel reservation altogether, offering allocated loungers at check-in or app-based booking systems.
Last May, P&O Cruises enforced a rule that loungers work on a first-come, first-served basis, with items left unattended for over 30 minutes cleared by crew members.
Tourist Frustrations and 'Petty Revenge'
Tourists have taken to social media to vent frustrations. One man from Merseyside went viral after scattering itching powder on towels of early risers in Mallorca. A grandmother in Tenerife stripped towels from unoccupied loungers and left them on the floor as 'petty revenge'.
Experts advise asking hotel staff to remove unattended towels to avoid conflict and ensure proper protocols, including recording items in lost property to prevent theft allegations.
