A German tourist who took legal action after a sunbed battle at a five-star hotel in Greece has spoken out about the experience, calling out guests who reserve loungers with towels at dawn and then disappear for hours. David Eggert, 48, sued his holiday tour operator after claiming his children were forced to lie on the concrete floor by the pool because all 400 sunbeds at the luxury resort on Kos were reserved with towels.
The Holiday and the Dispute
Eggert, a pilot from Dusseldorf, paid over £6,200 for a ten-night family holiday in 2024 with his wife and two children. He said he woke up early each morning to try to secure sunbeds but never succeeded, while other guests would place towels on loungers before heading back to bed or into town, leaving them unused until midday. Despite signs in German and English forbidding reservation, the hotel and tour operator failed to act on his complaints.
Legal Victory
Judges in Hanover ruled in Eggert's favour, ordering the tour operator to refund him £851.75, of which £770 was awarded after a prior compensation of £302.50 from TUI Deutschland. The court determined that tour operators must ensure a fair system balancing sunbed numbers and guests, and that holidaymakers should not be expected to remove others' towels themselves. This is believed to be the first court case over the controversial poolside practice.
Eggert's Admission
In a surprising twist, Eggert admitted he has also reserved sunbeds with towels on previous holidays, arguing that parents with children often have no choice. He compared the issue to a friendly football rivalry between Brits and Germans, saying it is a problem faced by families across Europe. He warned that his case could open the door for millions in claims against travel companies unless they crack down on the 'dawn dash'.
Wider Implications
While no specific law bans the practice, most resorts discourage it with signs warning that towels may be removed after 30 to 60 minutes. However, vague wording often leads to disputes. Eggert's victory highlights the responsibility of tour operators to intervene, potentially prompting changes in hotel policies across Europe.
