The Unspoken Etiquette Rules Around 'Reserving' A Poolside Lounger With Your Towel

Summer is on the way, and for many of us, it's a time for relaxation, fun in the sun, and rewarding ourselves for all our hard work throughout the year. Millions of holidaymakers will dream of kicking back by the pool with a few cocktails or a cool non-alcoholic beverage, but there is also trouble brewing in paradise. Tourism has not only recovered from the pandemic but hit record heights, with even greater numbers predicted for travelers jetting off on vacation in coming years. Unfortunately, that means we are likely to see an increase of an ugly phenomenon that makes headlines every peak season: The Sunbed Wars, fueled by the controversial practice of reserving a poolside lounger with a towel.

It sounds ridiculous, and such behavior has provided material for sitcoms and TV ads in the past, but the struggle is real. Every summer season, European resorts become a battleground –– and social media becomes awash with videos of people sprinting towards prime spots around the swimming pool armed with beach towels, flip-flops, and inflatables to stake their territory for the day. No place involving tourists, sunshine, and loungers is immune, with similar scrambles reported on cruise liners and at high-end hotels. While it may be tempting to grab the popcorn when it is happening to other people, it is often no laughing matter if you're caught up in the heat of it. Let's take a look at the unspoken rules that will prevent you and your family from starring in the latest viral TikTok.

Securing a poolside lounger might seem like a very first-world problem, but you can see why it is an issue for so many tourists. Most people have to work hard for their money, and a vacation is a usually a significant outlay, so it is only natural that they should feel entitled to all the luxuries once they arrive. A 2024 survey revealed that over half of all British holidaymakers dreaded the situation, and around 80% found snagging a sunlounger a stressful experience. Aside from making a spectacle of yourself racing other guests to claim your place, there is also the possibility of heated arguments and even violent altercations. 

While it is fair that the best loungers are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis, there are some people who will try to beat the system. In 2024, reports emerged that guests were heading down to the pool at a Portuguese hotel as early as 1 a.m. to reserve their spots. Another major bone of contention is vacationers who think it's okay to claim one or more sun beds before disappearing for hours on end. The problem has become so large that a number of resorts on the coast of Spain have banned reserving loungers or implemented fines. Hoarding space on beaches can also prove an unexpected costly mistake for many travelers – in some of the most popular Spanish destinations, people who wander off after leaving their stuff can face a hefty penalty and/or confiscation of their belongings by the police.

You don't want to get labeled a "lounger scrounger," right? Firstly, know the rules as the same secret etiquette applies on cruises and at resorts. You can check a destination's policy on reserving chairs online or by asking a staff member when you check in. Some will have an outright ban on holding spots, while others will impose a time limit. If there are no guidelines, try to exercise fairness. Don't hoard more loungers than you need, especially if you are traveling with children. Kids will spend most of the day playing, and they may not need a sun bed of their own. In any situation, the biggest no-no is reserving a chair before going off to do other things. This tactic will infuriate other guests, and you might receive a fine in some resorts.

Once you have claimed a spot, it is generally accepted that you might need to use the bathroom, take a dip, or grab snacks and drinks. If you step away, leave belongings on the lounger to make it clear that it's genuinely occupied. Better still, get a member of your party to man the barricades while you're gone. If you suspect a lounger has been reserved by someone unfairly, the important thing is not to touch their stuff. Doing so is likely to inflame the situation if the occupier returns to find you in their place. It is safer to inform a member of staff and let them deal with the situation.