These hotels allocate guests their own sun loungers for their entire stay, avoiding the usual early morning rush.
Holidaymakers across Europe are increasingly facing early morning battles for poolside sunbeds during summer breaks.(Image: Getty Images)
For many holidaymakers, a relaxing week by the pool is one of the main attractions of a summer getaway. But across Europe, the scramble for sunbeds has become an increasingly frustrating part of the holiday experience, with tourists waking up before sunrise to claim the best spots with towels.
Despite many resorts banning the practice, so called “sunbed wars” continue to cause arguments among guests as loungers are reserved for hours before being used. The issue recently returned to the spotlight after German tourist David Eggert successfully sued his tour operator following a dispute over sunbeds at a luxury hotel in Kos.
The 48 year old claimed all 400 loungers at the five star Grecotel Kos Imperial had been reserved with towels during his family holiday in 2024, leaving his children lying on concrete around the pool. After taking legal action, he was awarded £770 in compensation.
The case has sparked renewed debate around poolside etiquette and prompted some travellers to look for hotels that now allocate sun loungers to guests on arrival in an attempt to avoid daily competition for a space. Several resorts across Cyprus and Spain have introduced systems where guests are assigned their own loungers for the duration of their stay, removing the need for early morning queues or towel claims.
Here are some hotels that offer allocated sunbeds to tourists which means you can avoid the crack of dawn wake up call if you want to spend the day at the pool.
St George Beach Hotel & Spa Resort in Paphos
The hotel explains its policy on its website, saying: “Upon check-in, our guests are promptly allocated a sunbed by our attentive pool attendants, taking into consideration the current availability and creating a hassle-free start to your leisure-filled stay.
“Recognizing that preferences may change, we offer the flexibility for guests to adjust their sunbed allocation. Should you wish to change your spot, a simple contact with our pool attendants will set the wheels in motion, as they go above and beyond to accommodate your requests according to the sun lounger’s availability.”
Bull Costa Canaria & Spa in San Agustin
Guests staying at the hotel in Gran Canaria reportedly receive tags on arrival showing them where their allocated loungers are located.
Sunrise Beach Hotel in Protaras
Guests are assigned a sunbed at check in which remains theirs for the duration of their stay.
Sunrise Pearl Hotel in Protaras
The hotel also allocates loungers to guests on arrival, with the same sunbed kept throughout the holiday.
Kanika Hotels & Resorts hotels in Cyprus
The Cyprus based hotel chain operates an allocated lounger policy across all of its resorts, including:
- Alexander The Great Beach Hotel in Paphos
- Olympic Lagoon Resorts in Ayia Napa
- Amavi MadeForTwo Hotels in Paphos
- Amanti MadeForTwo Hotels in Ayia Napa
Sunrise Jade Hotel in Protaras
The hotel states on its website: “From the moment you step foot on our tranquil grounds, personally allocated sunbeds and umbrellas are yours to enjoy throughout your stay”
Travel experts have advised holidaymakers to check hotel policies carefully before booking, as rules around sunbed reservations can vary between resorts and may change over time.
