Worst Offending Brits Booking Sunbeds Abroad

The Sunbed Reservation Debate: A Common Holiday Annoyance

As you stroll down to the swimming pool on your all-inclusive holiday, you're hoping to find a perfect spot in the sun. However, what awaits you is a sea of occupied sun loungers—each covered with a towel—but no one is sitting on them. This situation has sparked a long-standing debate about whether it's socially acceptable to reserve a sunbed.

This isn't just about leaving your belongings while you grab a quick drink at the bar. It's about waking up early and abandoning your spot for hours, effectively reserving it without any intention of using it. The question remains: who is guilty of this divisive habit?

A recent study revealed that certain regions in the UK are more prone to this behavior. The West Midlands leads the list, with 15% of locals admitting to reserving sunbeds early. Wales, North East England, the North West, and Northern Ireland follow closely, with 13% of people confessing to this practice. The East of England, London, and South East England each have 12% of individuals who admit to reserving sunbeds.

On the other hand, the East Midlands and Scotland show better behavior, with 10% and 10% respectively. The least guilty? Yorkshire and the Humber, along with South West England, where only 8% of holidaymakers admitted to being sunbed hogs.

While this behavior is undeniably annoying, there's some good news: it's becoming less common. Only one in 10 people admitted to it this time around, a significant decrease from 72% five years ago.

Controversial Incidents and Public Outcry

The issue of reserving sunbeds has led to several high-profile incidents. In May 2025, FIKS FIT declared the start of the "sunbed wars" after an altercation at a resort in Lanzarote. The conflict escalated when a Scottish woman confronted another guest over a reserved sunbed, leading to threats of involving the manager.

At the Hyde Park Lane hotel, a video captured the incident, showing the tension between guests. The resort has a strict policy against reserving loungers, but the problem persists.

In Greece, the issue became so severe that drones were deployed to monitor beach-hogging hotspots in 2024. Members of the public can use an app to report people placing towels in restricted areas. The Greek government issued approximately €350,000 in fines within just five days.

Etiquette expert William Hanson emphasized the importance of respecting others' space. He stated that reserving sunbeds with a towel for longer than 30 minutes is considered rude. Beyond that grace period, it's first come, first served.

Online Communities Reflect the Issue

Online communities like r/AskUK Subreddit have seen discussions about the problem. One user, @bonomini6, shared their frustration about not finding a sunbed when arriving at 10 am. They noted that people had arrived early, left their towels, and then disappeared all day. The user questioned why others would do this, suggesting that removing towels might be acceptable if no beds were available.

Another user, @saitins, shared their approach of scouting for a spot for 10 minutes. If no one returned, they would remove the towels. Meanwhile, @evilsquits described an experience in Majorca where a woman moved her sunbed to get shade, leading to staff intervention.

Some users expressed their views on the matter. @EarlyGoose9284 mentioned folding sunbeds neatly and leaving them by the bar to make it look like the staff did it. @WellFiredRoll called the act "pathetic."

A Call for Change

The issue of reserving sunbeds continues to be a source of frustration for many travelers. While some may argue that it's a harmless habit, others see it as a violation of social etiquette. As awareness grows, there's hope that more people will respect the rules and ensure fair access to sunbeds for everyone.

If you have a story or experience related to this topic, consider sharing it. You can email lifestyle@fiksfit.co.uk to contribute. For more travel news, features, and inspiration, sign up for The Getaway newsletter.