European resorts unveil tactics to tackle sunbed towel wars

If you're jetting off somewhere sunny over the coming months, you'll undoubtedly want some time relaxing on sunbeds beside the pool.

However, every year, tales emerge of people struggling to secure a sunbed because fellow holidaymakers have reserved them with towels.

The matter came to a head after a father who spent over £6,000 on a holiday to the Greek island of Kos successfully took a tour operator in Germany to court following his inability to obtain a sunbed during his stay. He informed the court in Hanover that, despite waking at 6am, the majority of sunbeds were already reserved. Consequently, his children were forced to lie on the floor.

The holidaymaker received €986.70 in compensation, approximately £850. The case has triggered discussion about whether hotels ought to intervene in sunbed disputes. Numerous resorts have already devised solutions to prevent the early-morning scramble for sunbeds. These are some of the approaches you might encounter on your 2026 holiday.

Reservation apps

Stay at particular resorts and you can reserve your sunbed not with a towel, but with a simple tap on your phone. Certain Iberostar hotels, such as Selection Sábila in Tenerife, enable guests to book sunbeds around the pool through an app.

One guest who stayed at the hotel last year posted on Facebook that the app was: "So easy to use. You can book for the next day, but at 1pm each day, you can then book for the [following] day with no charge. You have to be on your beds by 10.45am, otherwise you can lose them. They come round to check everyone is in the right place. " Another guest who tried the system claimed it put an end to disputes around the pool: "It's a great system and you can book the same beds each day, no sunbed wars, definitely way forward."

Assigned sunbeds

Let's face it, many of us are creatures of habit on holiday and will claim the same sunbeds each day if they happen to be available. Several hotels have taken note of this and now offer guests the opportunity to enjoy assigned beds throughout their entire stay. Sunrise Group hotels, such as the Sunrise Beach Hotel in Protaras, Cyprus, provide a selection of sunbeds to choose from at check-in, allowing you to decide which pool you'd prefer or whether you'd rather have a sunny or shaded spot.

Guests who are dissatisfied with their allocated sunbed for any reason are welcome to speak to staff about finding an alternative spot, subject to availability. One TripAdvisor review noted: "Sunbeds are allocated on arrival, so there's no early morning rush. This generally works well, but if you may need to negotiate if you want your sunbed is a particular spot."

Warnings and fines Certain resorts are issuing warnings to Brits attempting to reserve sunbeds with towels. Last year, some holidaymakers who left items unattended discovered cards on their loungers upon returning. A couple staying at the H10 Salauris Palace in Salou, Spain claimed they left their belongings for 30 minutes before returning to find a stern notice stating: "It is not allowed to reserve sunloungers by leaving towels or belongings. Towels on sunloungers unused for more than 30 minutes may be taken off by staff. Your belongings will be collected carefully and can be picked up at reception."

Loud noises

According to a BBC report, one resort has adopted a far less subtle approach. An unnamed holidaymaker visiting a French holiday camp claimed: "Twice a day they sound a horn and if you're not at the lounger, all the items are removed to lost property".

Should you be heading to the beach in a popular holiday destination, ensure you're familiar with the regulations surrounding sunbed reservations on the sand. Two elderly holidaymakers were fined £250 for reserving sunbeds on the frontline of a beach in Cullera, near Valencia city. Beach access is prohibited between 5am and 8am in the morning, with authorities warning of penalties for those reserving sunbeds, in addition to belongings being confiscated.