Forget a gentle wake-up call from the waves; the true sound of a British summer holiday is the 5am alarm for the sunbed sprint. A startling new survey has pulled back the towel on the extreme and often ruthless tactics UK tourists employ to bag the best loungers, confessing to what can only be described as all-out resort warfare.
The research, commissioned by Iglu Cruise, exposes a holiday culture where the 'towel trick' is just the opening gambit. Brits are setting alarms in the dead of night, with one in ten admitting to setting a pre-5am alert specifically to secure their spot by the pool. The dedication doesn't stop there; a quarter of holidaymakers have sent a family member on a sunbed reconnaissance mission before most guests have even thought about breakfast.
The Rules of Engagement
This self-regulated system has its own brutal code of conduct. The survey uncovered the most hated sunbed sins, with 'reserving a bed and not using it for hours' crowned the cardinal offence. Other unforgivable behaviours include:
- Moving or throwing someone else's belongings: A direct act of sunbed aggression.
- Reserving multiple beds for a large group: Seen as a greedy land grab.
- 'Towel tricking' with inferior linens: A deceptive practice looked down upon by seasoned holiday veterans.
A Nation Divided
The data reveals a clear generational and regional divide in this holiday ritual. Younger travellers, particularly those from London, are the most likely to engage in these early-morning battles, showing a fiercely competitive streak. In contrast, older generations and those from Scotland and the South West prefer a more relaxed approach, often opting to avoid the conflict altogether.
This daily struggle for supremacy has become such a ingrained part of the package holiday experience that many Brits now see it as an inevitable—if frustrating—part of their break. It’s a unique holiday phenomenon where the quest for the perfect tan leads to pre-dawn strategizing and poolside politics.
So, as the summer season approaches, the stage is set for another year of sunbed savagery. The question remains: will you be setting your alarm, or will you be shaking your head at the towel-clad dawn patrol?
