A German tourist has secured a €986.70 payout from his tour operator after a family holiday on the Greek island of Kos was spoiled by the persistent practice of guests reserving sun loungers with towels before sunrise. The ruling, handed down by a district court in Hanover, marks one of the first legal victories in Europe's so-called “sunbed wars” and could pressure resorts across the continent to enforce stricter policies.
The anonymous plaintiff, who paid €7,186 for the package holiday in 2024, told the court that he and his family were unable to use poolside loungers because other guests repeatedly placed towels on them as early as 6 am. He claimed he spent roughly 20 minutes each day searching for available sunbeds, and that his children were forced to sit on the floor. The tour operator initially offered a €350 refund, but the court deemed the holiday “defective” and ordered a larger repayment.
Legal Precedent for Package Holidays
The Hanover judges ruled that while the tour operator did not manage the resort directly, it bore responsibility for ensuring the property maintained a “reasonable” ratio of sun loungers to guests. The court found that the company was aware of the resort's ban on towel reserving but failed to enforce it, effectively rendering the sunbeds unusable. This decision could set a precedent for similar disputes across the European Union, where package holiday regulations often hold tour operators accountable for resort conditions.
The case has drawn attention to a phenomenon that has become a staple of summer travel in southern Europe. In 2025, viral social media clips showed holidaymakers in Tenerife sleeping on sun loungers overnight to secure a spot, while others sprinted around pools at hotels like the Paradise Park Hotel to lay down towels at dawn. In parts of Spain, local authorities have imposed fines of up to €250 for hogging sun loungers, and several tour companies have revised their policies in response.
For Germany, a country where package holidays remain a popular choice, the ruling may prompt stricter oversight of resort conditions. The decision comes amid broader debates about consumer rights in the travel sector, as well as Germany's economic challenges, including concerns about deindustrialisation and rising costs. Meanwhile, the Greek tourism industry, a vital part of the country's economy, may face increased scrutiny over such practices.
For travellers seeking quieter alternatives, Greece's lesser-known islands and mainland escapes have been ranked highly for peaceful summer holidays, offering a respite from the sunbed scramble. As the sunbed wars continue to make headlines, this legal outcome underscores the growing expectation that tour operators and resorts must ensure a fair and functional experience for all guests.
