You know the scene. It's barely past dawn, and while half the hotel is still asleep, someone has already draped a towel over the best sunbed by the pool — then vanished for hours. By the time you finish breakfast, every good spot is "taken," even though not a single person is actually lying there.
This is the summer ritual that quietly ruins the mood at resorts everywhere: the towel war. And the frustrating part is that most of these standoffs are completely avoidable, if everyone follows one simple, unwritten rule.
The unwritten rule: only claim a spot if you're actually using it
Most hotels don't have an official policy on reserving loungers. But beach etiquette is pretty clear: it isn't fair to monopolize a sunbed for hours with nothing but a towel on it.
Popping off to grab breakfast or take a quick dip? Perfectly normal. Nobody expects you to guard your spot every second. But disappearing for hours while other guests wander around looking for anywhere to sit — that's exactly how tension starts.
More and more hotels are cracking down on the towel war
Resorts have noticed the problem too. In Italy, Croatia and other popular holiday destinations, some hotels and beaches now require you to pay for a specific sunbed, which is then yours for the entire day. No confusion, no arguments over who "called" which lounger first.
It's a small change, but it makes the whole thing fairer — and it takes the daily race for the best spot off the table entirely.
If holiday friction is on your mind, it's worth remembering that a trip away can bring more to the surface than a sunbed squabble.
A little courtesy saves a lot of hassle
When there are no clear rules, common sense and mutual respect are your best guide. A smile, a small kind gesture, a bit of awareness for the people around you — all of it creates a far nicer atmosphere than competing for prime real estate by the water.
In the end, a holiday isn't about who got the best sunbed. It's about actually switching off and relaxing.
What can you do if every spot is taken?
If it feels like the loungers have been unfairly claimed, start by checking the hotel's rules. In many places the staff will step in to sort things out, and if a bed has sat unused for a long time, they'll often free it up.
And if there's no system at all? Sometimes a little flexibility beats an awkward confrontation. The most important part of a holiday isn't exactly where you lie down — it's whether you come home feeling rested.
Is it rude to reserve a sunbed with a towel?
Leaving a towel while you swim or grab breakfast is fine. What crosses the line is claiming a spot for hours while others search for anywhere to sit, since that's when disputes tend to start.
Are hotels allowed to remove an unattended towel?
In many places the staff will help resolve the situation and free up beds that have been left unused for a long time. It's worth checking your hotel's rules first.
Which destinations charge for sunbeds?
In Italy, Croatia and other popular holiday spots, some hotels and beaches require you to pay for a specific lounger, which is then yours for the whole day — cutting out arguments over who claimed what.
What should I do if all the loungers are taken?
Check the hotel's rules and, if needed, ask the staff for help. If there's no formal system, a little flexibility usually works out better than a tense confrontation.
