The competition for sun loungers has become a notable issue at popular holiday destinations, prompting hotels and travel companies to implement measures aimed at preventing disputes and ensuring fair access for all guests. The problem, often referred to as sunbed “hogging,” has led to various interventions, including booking systems, timed removal policies, and on-site monitoring teams.

This heightened focus on sun lounger availability follows a high-profile legal case involving David Eggert, a German pilot from Düsseldorf. During a 2024 stay at a five-star hotel in Greece, Eggert and his family struggled to find unoccupied loungers as some tourists used towels to reserve chairs for extended periods. The children resorted to sitting on the poolside concrete, unable to secure proper seating, leading Eggert to successfully sue the travel firm involved.

In response, cruise lines and hotels have introduced policies designed to prevent similar incidents. P&O Cruises, which sails to over 200 destinations globally, has launched a “lonely lounger” initiative. Staff place a beige hood over empty sun loungers to signal that towels should not be used for reservations. If a lounger remains unattended for more than 30 minutes, personal belongings left on it are relocated to a designated pickup point.

Carnival Cruise Line, serving some 13 million passengers annually, relies on a timed sticker system. Their “ChairShare Team” monitors unoccupied loungers where towels or other items have been left. A sticker indicates the time the chair was marked and when the items will be removed if the seat remains unused for 40 minutes. This approach not only discourages hogging but also informs guests about the likely availability of loungers.

Hotels are adopting comparable strategies to manage demand. The adults-only Iberostar Selection Sábila in Tenerife requires guests to reserve numbered loungers via an app up to 48 hours in advance. If a guest does not claim their spot by 10:30 a.m., the lounger is released for use by others. Meanwhile, the St George Beach Hotel & Spa Resort in Paphos, Cyprus, assigns sun loungers during check-in for the entirety of a guest’s stay. Changes must be requested through hotel staff.

Tour operators and travel experts acknowledge the challenges. Lee Hunt, owner of Deben Travel in Suffolk, notes that many hotels do not provide enough loungers for their guests and rely on staggered usage throughout the day. Some properties are increasingly offering private loungers on balconies to ease shared-area pressure. “Gone are the days that sun loungers [were] packed in like sardines, Benidorm-style,” he said.

Travel commentator Lisa Francesca Nand highlights that while many resorts have implemented anti-hogging rules or increased lounger numbers, the issue persists as destinations grow more popular. She advises travelers to avoid confrontations, recommending that guests report availability issues to staff and adopt a “live-and-let-live” attitude to maintain a pleasant holiday atmosphere.