Hotels are using new tactics against tourists to tackle sunbed wars including €250 fines
I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing that hotels are having to come up with new ways to tackle the holiday sunbed wars.
It's easy to understand why though - the dread of making your way down to the pool, only for all the beds to be taken, is universally a s**t experience.
And it's even worse when someone reserves multiple beds for family members who aren't even by the pool yet (pretending like I've never done this).
Some hotels in Spain, however, are reportedly taking serious measures to end sunbed wars once and for all.
Municipal Regulations and Fines
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As reported by the Daily Express, a popular Costa Blanca resort has enforced a rule that prohibits the placement of towels, sunbeds, or umbrellas on the beach before 9:30am.
This is also to facilitate beach cleaning, and failure to comply could result in a fine of €250 (£214).
Fines will also be given to people who reserve without a physical presence.
A council spokesperson said on X: "This measure prohibits the indiscriminate occupation of the public domain, especially the beach, with items such as chairs, hammocks and parasols at the start of the day. These bad habits make it difficult to clean the beaches."
Holidaymaker Sarah Watson, who was staying in Salou, Spain, told the Scottish Sun that the sunbed wars were crazy out there.
"One day a man collapsed and tripped and his wife just left him there to go and get the sunbeds," the woman from Edinburgh said. "The doors open about 7:55am then they all just sprint."
Hotel Policies
Staff at the Ving Hotel Sunprime Pollensa in on the north coast of Mallorca were forced to put up a sign after a guest was left in tears because she couldn't save a sunbed during her stay.
"Do not reserve sun loungers with towels or other personal belongings if the lounger is not to be used immediately," the sign read.
The hotel's manager Diego Martinez told Dagbladet that 'all unattended towels will be removed by 8am each morning'.
Enforcement Measures
According to Olive Press News Spain, some hotels have hired security staff to monitor pool areas and enforce sunbed reservation policies. This is to ensure that guests adhere to the new rules.
Authorities will also remove unattended items left on beaches or by the pool areas beyond the allocated timeframes. These items are stored at municipal facilities, and include retrieval fees and fines on the owners.
Do we need sunbed rules? Probably.
Is it sad that we actually need sunbed rules? Yes.
Anish Vij