Holidaymakers at a hotel in Salou, Spain, were seen queueing for up to an hour before the pool opened at 9am to secure prime sunbeds, according to a witness. Chris, a tourist from Glasgow, Scotland, told SWNS that the daily ritual involved a 'manic race' as more than 40 tourists dashed to claim spots with towels and bags, often returning to breakfast or their rooms immediately after.
Hotel Policies to Curb Sunbed Hogging
Many hotels have introduced strict regulations to prevent unfair advantages, including towel-removal policies. Staff, such as lifeguards or pool attendants, are allowed to remove unattended towels after a specified period and store belongings in lost property. Some hotels have abandoned towel reservations entirely, offering allocated loungers at check-in or using app-based booking systems.
In May, P&O Cruises announced enforcement of rules against saving loungers, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. If belongings are left unattended for over 30 minutes, crew collect them and store them in a designated holding area.
Guest Frustrations and Petty Revenge
Holidaymakers have expressed frustrations on social media. One man from Southport went viral after scattering itching powder on towels of early risers in Mallorca. Another tourist in Tenerife stripped towels from sunbeds that had been unoccupied for hours. Experts advise asking hotel staff to remove unattended towels to avoid confrontation and ensure proper protocols are followed, preventing claims of theft or damage.
