Why hotels need a clear sunbed policy after the recent towel-reserved beds court case

For many hotels and resorts, towel-reserved sunbeds have long been treated as a familiar inconvenience. Guests place towels on sunbeds early in the morning, leave the pool area and return much later. Other guests then arrive to find that the pool deck looks fully occupied, even when many of the beds are not actually being used.

Until recently, this issue was often seen as a matter of etiquette or guest behaviour. However, a recent German court case has made clear that the problem can also become a more serious service issue for the hospitality sector.

The key lesson is simple: a hotel sunbed policy is only useful if it is clear, visible and consistently applied. A sign that prohibits towel reservations is not enough if the rule is ignored in practice.

The recent court case about towel-reserved sunbeds

In 2026, several news outlets reported on a case involving a German tourist who had booked a family holiday at a resort on the Greek island of Kos. During the stay, the family reportedly struggled to find available sunbeds because many loungers were reserved early with towels and then left unused.

The court in Hannover ultimately awarded the tourist compensation. Reports state that the amount was €986,70 after the court (Amtsgericht Hannover, Urteil vom 23.03.2026, Az. 527 C 9826/25) considered the lack of available loungers and the failure to deal with towel-reserved beds as a travel defect in the context of the package holiday.

The point was not that every guest must always have a private sunbed. The more important issue was that the poolside facilities and rules had to be managed in a reasonable and enforceable way. If a hotel or tour operator presents the pool area as part of the holiday experience, guests may expect that the facilities can actually be used in a fair and realistic manner.

Why this matters for hotels, resorts and beach clubs

Hotels, resorts and beach clubs often invest heavily in their pool areas. The pool deck is part of the guest experience, the brand impression and the perceived value of the stay. When guests cannot access sunbeds because towels are blocking them, that experience can quickly become negative.

The risk is not only the complaint itself. The greater risk is that guests feel the hotel knows about the issue but does not act. That can make the situation feel unfair and poorly managed.

A clear sunbed policy helps prevent this. It shows that the hotel has thought about fairness, guest comfort and poolside capacity. More importantly, it gives staff a basis to act when towel-reserved beds are left unused.

Guests expect fairness and clarity

Most guests understand that pool decks have limited space. What they find harder to accept is the feeling that available space is being blocked without actual use.

When guests see rows of towels on empty sunbeds, the message is confusing. The bed appears unavailable, but no one is using it. For families, couples and groups arriving later in the morning, this can feel like an unfair system.

Clear communication can reduce that frustration. Guests should know when a sunbed may be reserved, how long it can remain unused and what happens if towels are left for too long. The policy should feel fair, not aggressive.

Staff need a policy they can actually enforce

A sunbed policy only works if staff can apply it without constant debate. If the rule is vague, staff members are left to make personal judgement calls. That creates inconsistency and may lead to difficult conversations with guests.

A practical system should make it easier for staff to identify whether a sunbed is in use, temporarily unattended or simply being held by a towel. This reduces pressure on individual staff members and creates a more professional process.

The goal is not to create conflict. The goal is to avoid conflict by making the process clear before complaints arise.

A clear system protects the guest experience

Good pool deck management is not about removing towels as quickly as possible. It is about creating a balanced system that respects guests who are genuinely using the pool area while preventing long-term towel reservations that block access for others.

Hotels and resorts should consider how their policy is communicated, how long a sunbed may remain unused, who is responsible for monitoring the pool deck and how the policy is explained to guests.

A clear system can improve sunbed availability, reduce repeated complaints and help staff apply the rules consistently. It also makes the pool deck feel more premium, because guests experience the area as managed, calm and fair.

PLOX as a pool deck solution

PLOX is designed for hotels, resorts, beach clubs and cruise lines that want to manage towel-reserved sunbeds more clearly and professionally.

By creating more clarity around sunbed availability, PLOX supports both guests and staff. It helps hospitality locations move away from unclear towel-reservation practices and towards a fairer, more structured pool deck experience.

For hotels and resorts, the message is clear: pool deck management is no longer just a small operational issue. A clear sunbed policy can help protect guest satisfaction, support staff and reduce unnecessary frustration around the pool.