The summer holidays are fast approaching, and as families prepare for much-needed breaks to all-inclusive resorts, many are bracing themselves for the inevitable tug of war over sunbeds.
Sunbed wars have been raging across Europe over recent years, which sees tourists compete for prime sunbathing spots at hotel pools and on beaches – usually armed with towels and blankets to ‘reserve’ their place before returning hours later.
The peak season practice has spiralled in popular hotspots frequented by Brits, such as Spain and Turkey, with staff at hotels clamping down on ‘sunbed hoggers’ by hiring bouncers and introducing parking ticket-style systems.
As debate around reservation etiquette grows, a hotel expert at Club Med, which has more than 60 all-inclusive resorts across Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the Caribbean, have weighed in with their top tips on how to fairly secure a sun lounger – including the best time to find one.
From scoping out ‘quieter zones’ to adopting ‘buddy systems,’ Nicolas Bresch, Managing Director at Club Med, has revealed five ways to help obtain the perfect poolside spot this summer.
Head to the pool in the morning
The sweet spot to claim a prime sun lounger in the height of summer is 8am, according to Nicolas.
The sun rises between 6am and 8am in most European hotspots during the warmest months, and with breakfast normally served around 7.30 am, Nicolas named 8am as the perfect time to head to the pool for lounger reservations.
Hotel experts at Club Med have weighed in with their top tips on how to fairly secure a sun lounger – including the best time to find one
Nicolas said: ‘This is the ultimate time: It’s early enough to beat the crowds but not so early that you miss out on sleep or breakfast.
‘You’ll also be staying in line with poolside etiquette, avoiding the “sun lounger hogger” status that the infamous 6 am reservers have established on viral online videos.’
Check sunrise times
To secure a prime sun lounger for the day, Nicolas stressed timing is everything.
It would be helpful to monitor sunrise, taking note of when it occurs in your destination and use this to plan accordingly.
Whilst early risers might get the best spots before everyone else, understanding where the sun moves throughout the day can help you get the ideal space to soak up its rays.
Line it up with breakfast and adopt a ‘buddy system’
Rather than setting an alarm and sprinting down to secure a lounger before anyone else, marry the task up with your morning routine.
For those who wish to have a lie-in one day, or a late breakfast, it may help to have a ‘buddy system’ in place, where one person or half of the group stays with the loungers while the others have breakfast, then swap before settling down together.
Rather than setting an alarm and sprinting down to secure a lounger before anyone else, marry the task up with your morning routine
Check for quieter zones
While loungers at the main pool are likely to be snapped up quickly, there are often hidden prize spots scattered throughout the quieter areas of the hotel.
Sunseekers are urged to scope out the entire hotel hotel on the first day to take note of any tucked-away gardens, rooftop terraces or a second pool area that might be less busy.
Try again in the afternoon
If you haven’t struck gold and secured a spot in the morning, simply try again in the afternoon.
As you wait, it provides the perfect opportunity to take off and explore, take an excursion or enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a stroll around the area.
When you return in the afternoon, people will likely be heading inside for a break from the sun, meaning prime spots open up later in the day – this is the ultimate moment to get an ideal lounging spot for the afternoon without the hassle.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .