Brits sprint for sunbeds at Magaluf hotel pool as 'all the rules are ditched'
British holidaymakers have been dubbed 'towel warriors' as they rush to secure prime loungers by the pool at a Magaluf hotel the moment it opens.
Aaron Turner, 34, witnessed the comical spectacle while vacationing with his fiancée Shauna Wall, 32, and their four-year-old daughter Halle at Hotel Sol Barbados. In true British style, these eager tourists lined up beside the pool for as long as they could before the staff allowed access.
This family from County Meath, Ireland, reported that each day dawned with sun-seekers poised at one of the three entrances to the pool. Aaron, a full-time content creator and father of one, observed them congregating from 9am in anticipation of the 10am opening, despite the abundance of available sunbeds.
"The queues would get pretty long. Once the barriers opened, all the rules went - people were jumping the queue, and some were properly running," he said.
Aaron highlighted the surplus of sunbeds yet pointed out that everyone was after the most coveted spots. Finding amusement in the situation, Aaron added: "I thought it was hilarious, I've seen videos of it online before but it was the first time I experienced it myself. We got a good laugh out of it."
The sunbed wars are a long-standing, long-drawn-out battle that typically marks the start of the summer. When videos and tales emerge of the first 5am queue for a pool-side spot and mad dash across the tiles of the year, you know the weather is beginning to warm up.
Earlier this week we reported how a group of irate holidaymakers thwarted a cunning plan by fellow Brits to bag sunbeds seven hours before their hotel pool opened on a recent Spain holiday.
While having a late-night chinwag on their balcony, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were having a cheeky swim in the pool. But upon closer inspection, the 34-year-old realised the young men were trying to nab the best beds at 2am, despite the fact that the pool wasn't due to open until 9am the next day.
The quartet of girls watched as the lads dragged out their sunloungers to try and secure prime spots. Mandy and her mates patiently waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to dash down and swipe the towels.
The comical sunbed wars sabotage took place around 2am at the Aquasol Aparthotel, Palmanova, near Magaluf, Spain.
Joined by her mate, Sally Willows, the pair dashed down to the pool and swiftly grabbed the towels. "We're just doing the Lord's work," Mandy from Bridgend, South Wales, said. "I can't stand it when people reserve sunbeds and don't use them all day.
"I find it really inconsiderate. It was shocking to see them reserving beds at 2am, especially when there was no chance of those lads being up to enjoy them. We kept the towels, but made sure we left them where they would find them."
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29 minutes ago
- Times
19 of the best hotels with swim-up rooms in Turkey
Snooze, swim. Snooze, swim. It's the ultimate in holiday relaxation, slipping between lounger and pool, and it's never easier than when you can swim right up to your room. Turkish hoteliers are never slow to embrace new trends, and there are swim-up rooms, apartments and suites in every type of hotel, from family-friendly all-inclusives to romantic boutique hotels. Not that relaxing in this sun-drenched, spectacularly beautiful country is ever difficult; it may not have the super-slow pace of the Greek islands, but Turkish hospitality is second to none, with families particularly welcomed. Throw in crystal-clear seas, fantastic food and a culture rich in tradition and history, and it's not difficult to see why so many British holidaymakers return to Turkey for a relaxing week in the sun. These are the country's best hotels with swim-up rooms. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue £££ | SPA | POOL | 10 RESTAURANTS | Best for contemporary style Proof that Turkish hotels can match just about anywhere for serious luxury, the 24 villas at Bayou each have their own private, swim-up pool, alongside sleek, modern decor. The villas adjoin the Lara Barut Collection resort, and guests can use all the facilities including the bars and restaurants, spa and sports academy. The Bayou Bar and Weik A'la Carte restaurant are exclusively for Bayou Villas guests. £££ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for natural surroundings Swim-up rooms add to the pleasures of this spacious, family-friendly resort in a tranquil location where the Dalaman River feeds into the Mediterranean. The hotel has a Family Experience for children under 12, with dedicated menus, a kids' pool area with waterslides and a kids' club that offers everything from cooking classes to movie screenings and costume parties. The state-of-the-art spa draws on Greek mythology in its design and is as relaxing as a stroll along the huge swathe of beach at sunset. • Discover our full guide to Turkey £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for knockout views The swim-up rooms at the Garcia also command the very best of the hotel's views over the lush green forests and sparkling waters of the Blue Lagoon. Each comes with a private poolside terrace, while inside you'll find rooms decorated in relaxing Mediterranean blues and natural finish wood (swim-up family suites are also available). Even if you go for one of the standard rooms you'll find plenty of swimming options, with four adult and two children's pools. And when you're ready to tear yourself away, it's just a short drive down to the beach. • More great hotels in Oludeniz ££ | POOL | 1 RESTAURANT | Best for honeymooners The honeymoon suites at the Nautical are showstoppers: self-contained bungalows with their own private terraces and pools, just metres back from a sparkling crystal bay that is for guests only. The emphasis at this tiny boutique hotel is on nature and relaxation: you can join meditation and yoga classes amid the lemon trees in the garden, and enjoy laid-back, acoustic live music events in the evenings. The cheaper rooms aren't too shabby either: individual stone houses are cleverly arranged to make you feel as though you're alone in the wilderness. £££ | SPA | POOL | 10 RESTAURANTS | Best for group holidays The last word in all-inclusive luxury, the Maxx Royal is so large and packed with amenities that you could easily spend a fortnight here without leaving the grounds. 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Even the long, sandy, private beach is well-designed, featuring cabanas that you'll want to lounge in all day. £ | SPA | POOL | 1 RESTAURANT | Best for nightlife In the centre of the popular resort of Hisaronu — set above Oludeniz's glorious beach — this is a perfect base if you feel like getting out of the hotel and dancing the night away. The main strip is a five-minute walk away and features dozens of bars and restaurants catering to the international crowd who holiday and live in this part of Turkey. The Blue Lagoon, a surreal, beautiful inlet ringed with white sand, is also close by. Swim-up pool rooms make the perfect base for relaxing on the days when you feel like staying at the hotel. • Best things to do in Fethiye• More great hotels in Fethiye ££ | SPA | POOL | 7 RESTAURANTS | Best for family breaks The focus is firmly on the kids at this resort 30 minutes' drive from Antalya airport, with den-like children's rooms fitted out with bunk beds and clubs catering to all ages. 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an hour ago
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I'm from a Mediterranean city where people speak English and pay in pounds – but there's one Brit item shops won't sell
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHAT'S not to love about Gibraltar? It's has average highs of 28C, it's just three hours from the UK, everyone speaks English and you can pay in pounds. But one half Gibraltarian, half English woman has revealed that Brits make plenty of mistakes when visiting the island. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Gibraltar is a popular destination that sits on the peninsular of Spain's southern coast Credit: Alamy 10 Adele's grandparents live in Gibraltar and she visits at least twice a year Credit: Adele Cooke Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here Sun writer Adele Cooke visits Gibraltar to see her family at least twice a year, and here she shares with us all her secret viewpoints, favourite local haunts and mistakes to avoid when visiting 'Gib'. Adele told us: "My mum is Gibraltarian, and all her family all live there - the short story is that the family moved from Genoa in Italy. "A lot of families do that and actually Michelle Keegan's family did the same - her grandma used to live opposite mine." Summer highs Adele's first piece of advice is when's best to visit, she told us: "Going in winter is a big no-no because a lot of the things to do in Gibraltar is outside. "If you go in the winter, you'll get highs of 12C. But it's not like being in Madeira where you'll get some like winter sun - it's properly cold. She's noticed that first-time visitors often aren't aware that the destination has a micro-climate because of the Levanter cloud. The Levanter cloud forms over the Rock of Gibraltar in certain conditions and will make the temperature colder than neighbouring areas in Spain. She said : "Personally, I go every May and September. The end of May is warm enough to go to the beach. "And then the start of September, the schools have gone back so there aren't lots of kids on the beach, and the flights are cheaper. "The flights this summer are expensive so if you do go then, you have to book quite far in advance." Join cheeky monkeys for cliff walks, caves and tapas in historic Gibraltar 10 Adele and her family know all the best spots from restaurants to cafes Credit: Adele Cooke 10 Adele suggested going in May or September - but avoid Gibraltar National Day Credit: Adele Cooke 10 Ocean Village is a great place for getting a bite to eat - and cheap cocktails Credit: Alamy Adele said she can generally get flights back from £80, but there are certain times of the year where the prices will be at an all-time high. She said: "Flights get really expensive around Gibraltar National Day which is in September. "It's a full weekend of events, there's lots of food, and they have firework displays, and everyone wears red and white. It's a day to celebrate being part of Britain." "Another time to be aware of is around Easter because it's a Catholic nation, so a lot of Gibraltarians will go back for that." Eating out Adele said one of the best places for an evening tipple is in the marina: "For drinks, I would go to Ocean Village which is a big complex at the marina. "In there is a casino, they've got an Irish pub for watching sports, Pizza Express, Wagamama, everything you need. "There's plenty of offers too, lots of places have happy hour with £6 cocktails and you can get coffees from £2. "If you don't like crowds and you want more of a quiet and relaxed evening, I'd go to Queensway Quay. It's another marina and it's the upmarket one. "It's really lovely if you want to go and look at the boats and have some drinks as it's usually less busy. "One place that's a hidden gem, is a restaurant at the university called Bistro Point. It's got a great view, you can sit outside and they do a great brunch." Another spot she recommends for anyone looking for quality seafood is the Jumpers Wheel Restaurant. It might not look like much on the outside, but Adele told us it's a great place to enjoy catch of the day, calamari, swordfish and octopus. 10 For a tasty brunch and incredible views head to Bistro Point Credit: 10 The Lavanter cloud can affect the temperature in Gibraltar Credit: Alamy Saving pennies Remember going on holiday with your mates and dread buying a round? Well there's none of that here. Adele told us: "I've bought a bottle of wine and a beer and it's come to just £17 in a bar before - a breakfast for a family of 10 can come to just £35, it's a very cheap place. "The food in Gibraltar as a whole is cheap and cheerful, you get big portions - I'd say it's Wetherspoons style." The good news for Brits is that Gibraltar does have its own currency, does take British pound too. Holiday hotels As for where to stay, Adele said: "Plenty of people book into the Holiday Inn as it's in a great location and very affordable, what most don't realise is it's beach on one side and next to one of Gibraltar's main cemeteries on the other. "If you do stay there, ask for a room on the rock side rather than a room on the cemetery side." To stay in central Gibraltar, Adele recommended the Sunborn Gibraltar resort which is right in Ocean Village - rooms start at £175 per night. Another great pick for visitors is The Eliott Hotel which has a rooftop pool, and the Rock Hotel which has recently been renovated. 10 Head to the sweeping Eastern Beach in Gibraltar for blue seas and lots of sand Credit: Google maps All the attractions If you head to Tripadvisor currently, one of the most highly recommended beaches in Gibraltar is Catalan Bay, but it's currently undergoing lots of construction work. Adele said: "There's lots of diggers out on that beach because they're reclaiming some land from the sea - so don't go there for the moment. "Instead, go to Eastern Beach, it's a great spot because you get more sun for longer." The reason the Eastern Beach stays sunnier for longer is because the Rock's shadow can block sunlight on other beaches. Sandy Bay is another popular beach but it can get windy. Other attractions around Gibraltar include the Spirit of the Rock, which is the only distillery in the old town - you can take the tour and have a tasting for £25. If you're looking to catch up with the news, don't try hunting for a newspaper as you won't find one. Adele explained: "Post-Brexit, you can't get them in Gibraltar, but you can buy them in Spain." 10 Book a tour in advance to go and see the dolphins Credit: Adele Cooke Tourist traps Like most places that you go, be mindful of the tourist traps. In the town centre, there will be lots of tour operators trying to sell tourists dolphin tours around Gibraltar. Adele said that for anyone wanting to head on a tour, have a look online first and book there instead. Everyone going with the few tour operators selling tickets in the square will then get into a crowded boat so when there's a dolphin, you're less likely to see it. And if you fancy heading up the Rock, do not drive yourself. She said: "Unless you're going to Spain, I wouldn't hire a car because it's quite sketchy to drive in Gibraltar. "Going up the Rock is very narrow, and on one side is just a cliff. Plus there are monkeys roaming around too. "Instead, use the great bus system, as it's very cheap." For more breaks, check out these European holidays that are cheaper than a UK train fare – with £2 prosecco and stunning beaches. Or take a look at the cheeky 48-hour holidays to Europe's best cities, beach towns and islands this summer from £167.
