How hotels are stopping the ‘dawn dash’ for sunbeds after man wins payout

Hotels Adapt to Combat Early Sunbed Reservations After Legal Victory

How hotels are stopping the dawn – Holidaymakers have shared their frustrations with the BBC about how some hotels and resorts are implementing stricter measures to curb the practice of reserving sunbeds with towels in advance, following a recent legal case that highlighted the issue. The dispute, which centered on the so-called “dawn dash” for sunbeds, has prompted a shift in how holiday operators manage access to outdoor spaces, as seen in a case where a man secured a substantial refund after suing his tour operator.

The Legal Battle Over Sunbed Access

Last week, a man from Dusseldorf, Germany, took his tour operator to court over the allocation of sunbeds during a family holiday in Kos, a Greek island. The case revolved around the operator’s failure to enforce the resort’s rule against reserving sunbeds with towels, a practice that left him and his two children unable to find a single spot to relax. Despite rising at 06:00 every morning, he claimed to spend 20 minutes each day searching for a sunbed, only to find them all occupied with towels. The court in Hanover awarded his family an £850 refund, marking a pivotal moment for holidaymakers who face similar challenges.

“It was a big hotel, very fancy, with about 400 loungers. And all 400 loungers had towels on them. The people were not actually using the loungers, and the guests went into town or went back to bed and slept,” said David Eggert, the man at the center of the case, in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The original €7,186 (£6,211) package holiday fee was reduced by €350 (£302) as an initial refund, but the judges ruled that the family deserved a larger amount—€986.70 (£852.89)—due to the operator’s lack of organization. The court acknowledged that while the travel company couldn’t control the hotel directly, it had a duty to ensure a fair system for sunbed distribution. This included maintaining a “reasonable” ratio of sunbeds to guests, a concept that became central to the ruling.

Similar Experiences Across Europe

Since the verdict was announced, other travelers have reported facing the same struggles. Andrew Mills, a holidaymaker from Newcastle, described how he spent most of his days away from the pool during a trip to Zante, Greece, because all sunbeds were taken by 06:00. “It was like a race to the beach before dawn,” he said, reflecting on the frustration of arriving to find no space. Another visitor from Antalya, Turkey, echoed this sentiment, claiming that the practice of reserving sunbeds had “really taken the shine out of the holiday.”

These accounts suggest a growing trend of early morning sunbed contention, often referred to as “sunbed wars.” The issue has become so widespread that some hotels have started enforcing allocation rules at check-in, aiming to prevent the chaos of last-minute scrambles. This approach has led to mixed reactions, with some guests praising the fairness of such systems and others expressing concerns about the rigidity of predetermined spots.

Resorts Introduce Innovative Solutions

In response to the problem, a few resorts have adopted creative strategies to manage sunbed availability. At two popular holiday camps along France’s Mediterranean coast, a man told the BBC that staff would sound a horn twice daily to signal when reserved items were to be collected. If guests weren’t at their sunbeds by the time the horn rang, towels and other equipment were taken to lost property. This method, while effective, adds an element of unpredictability for visitors who might arrive late or forget their reservations.

Meanwhile, a hotel in Protaras, Cyprus, has implemented a strict policy requiring guests to “reserve” a sunbed for the entire duration of their stay. This involves not only selecting a spot but also informing the hotel of any changes. Colin Davison, a 73-year-old from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, praised a similar system at a resort in Paphos, Cyprus, calling it “brilliant” for ensuring equitable access. The hotel’s website explains that guests are assigned a sunbed upon check-in, with the option to request a preferred location. This system, combined with the ability to switch spots, aims to balance convenience with fairness.

Other resorts have taken a more structured approach. In Cyprus, one hotel assigns numbered parasols, with each allocated to a pair of guests. This ensures that a family of four receives two parasols and four sunbeds, creating a seamless setup for relaxation. “Voila,” said Ashley Herman from Watford, describing how this system worked during her visit. “It’s like a puzzle—everything fits perfectly.”

Make-Shift Tactics and Their Consequences

While some resorts are improving their systems, others have resorted to less formal methods. In Ibiza, a holidaymaker recounted how guests began placing towels on beds during the night to secure spots at sunrise. This makeshift solution quickly led to conflicts, with a group of men famously taking to the task of removing towels from the pool at midnight to level the playing field. Though effective in the short term, such tactics highlight the informal and sometimes chaotic nature of the problem.

David Eggert’s case has sparked broader conversations about the rights of travelers and the responsibilities of operators. He emphasized the significance of the ruling, stating that it serves as a “warning” to other companies. “When the holiday season starts in June and July, people will say: ‘Look, somebody sued a tour operator over this. I’ll do the same,'” he noted. His comments underscore the potential for a chain reaction, with thousands of holidaymakers possibly pursuing similar legal action, leading to millions in additional costs for the industry.

The case also raises questions about the balance between convenience and access. While some travelers may prefer pre-allocating their sunbeds to avoid last-minute stress, others argue that this practice limits spontaneity and can create a sense of unfairness. As hotels and resorts continue to refine their strategies, the challenge remains: how to ensure that every guest has a fair chance to enjoy the amenities that make holidays memorable.