A recent viral video captured a chaotic scene at a Spanish holiday resort, showing numerous vacationers sprinting to secure poolside lounge chairs after patiently waiting in line for an hour before the facility even opened.
Chris, a 34-year-old from Glasgow, Scotland, observed this early morning frenzy during his vacation in Salou, Spain, last week.
Footage from June 24 depicts over 40 hotel guests congregating outside the pool entrance well before its scheduled 9 a.m. opening. Immediately after the doors were unlocked, the assembled group rapidly moved towards the loungers, eager to reserve prime locations with their towels and personal belongings.
Witnessing the Morning Rush
Chris noted that this spectacle was not an isolated incident. Throughout his week-long stay, he observed guests consistently forming queues outside the pool entrance daily, frequently an hour before it opened. A common practice involved individuals reserving a lounge chair before returning to their accommodations or going for breakfast, resulting in numerous loungers being claimed for extended periods before actual use.
"It was a manic race and scramble for the sunbeds surrounding the pool at the hotel," Chris commented.
"I don't judge, but found it funny, so had to film it," he also said.
This competitive process swiftly became an established part of the morning routine, with many guests appearing to adhere to the same strategy daily.
"Some people just rolled out of their bed, queued up, mad-dashed to secure the bed — then they were seen going back to their hotel rooms or off for breakfast," Chris explained.
While Chris found the entire scene amusing, he also expressed sympathy for vacationers who opted not to participate in the early morning queue.
"It doesn't leave room for those who don't queue for an hour," he stated.
Industry Responses to Chair Hogs
The intense competition for poolside loungers has become an increasingly common phenomenon at numerous resorts, particularly during the peak summer travel period.
In response to similar issues, Norwegian Cruise Line recently implemented a policy to prevent chair reserving. This involves placing time-stamped stickers on unoccupied loungers and removing personal belongings if guests do not return within approximately one hour.
This enforcement measure has garnered positive feedback from many travelers, who believe the policy effectively liberates poolside seating and deters individuals often referred to as "chair hogs" from monopolizing preferred locations.
