Brits furious after hotel leaves 'warning' on their sunbed due to 'unfair rules'
Jo and Martin travelled to the resort town of Salou, near Barcelona, Spain, hoping to spend a week relaxing in the sun.
But, while staying at the four-star, £140-per-night H10 Salauris Palace, the couple ran into a spot of bother.
After leaving their sunbeds for 30 minutes, they came back to find a stern warning card left on their towels.
The holidaymakers were outraged as they claimed other hotel guests had left their spots unattended for several hours with no consequence.
Expressing her frustration in a video clip posted on social media, Jo wrote: 'When you leave your sunbed for 30 minutes, yet others leave theirs for two plus hours and nothing gets done to them.'
She added: 'Two-tier sunbed policing at the H10 Salauris Palace, Salou.'
The clip went viral on TikTok with 235,000 views and dozens of comments.
The holidaymakers were outraged as they claimed other hotel guests had left their spots unattended for several hours with no consequence
One local said, 'Thirty minutes? Hardly time to go for lunch before you need to come back.'
'At least somewhere with rules with sunbeds though, but probably should be after one hour,' added another.
Jess joked: 'I would place it on someone else's.'
Jo, who jetted from Belfast International Airport, near where they live, also shared a video of the hotel's sunbeds appearing to be fully reserved early in the morning.
She advised others: 'Unless you get down to the pool at 6 am, you won't get a good location for your lounger.'
One follower said: 'We are in a five-star in Lanzarote and despite rules saying no allocating sun loungers, most have towels on by 8 am.'
Pete suggested: 'Just move them.'
Regina added: 'Go somewhere a bit nicer than Salou, then problem solved.'
Jo, known as 'Grump' online, also complained about holidaymakers using large pegs to pin down their towel on a windy day.
She fumed: 'What is it with these giant pegs on sunbeds that annoyed me so much?
'We survived without these for years before!'
However, many of her followers disagreed.
One follower said: 'Nahhh, they're amazing. Best fiver I ever spent. Mine are watermelons.'
Camille added: 'They are actually quite handy, loved mine, didn't have to keep fixing the towel!'
Andie remarked, 'I have watermelon and flamingo ones, which makes your sunbed look quite pretty.'
The H10 Salauris Palace has been approached for comment.
This isn't the only sunbed-related incident to spark controversy in Spain recently.
In May British holidaymakers were seen queuing for over an hour in a bid to secure the best poolside spots at a Canary Islands resort.
Sunseekers armed with towels, suncream, and flipflops were captured in bizarre footage lining up for the pool at the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort, Las Palmas, Spain.
It appears the sunbed wars are now in full swing with hotel guests setting alarms extra early just to form queues to the pool area until staff give them the all clear.
The queue of people has become a regular morning routine for holidaymakers at the Spanish hotel according to guests.
Isabelle Hanssen, whose balcony overlooks the pool watched on at the pool goers eagerly waited in line.
According to the halfpipe skier, the queue is usually made up of Brits with a few Germans also standing in line.
Isabelle, from the Netherlands, also revealed that the queues start from as early as 8am despite the pool not opening until 9:30am.
With multiple entrances to the pool, lines of ten people plus could be seen forming all around the area.
Isabelle Hanssen said: 'Lining up 30 minutes before the pool opens all for that one sunbed, priorities I guess.'
Members of the public were left shocked by the footage.
One viewer said: 'Pathetic and ridiculous, beyond embarrassing.'
Another added: 'It's not always like this. I was there last week and this never happened once.'
A third said: 'This is my worst nightmare.'
'I always wonder why hotels can't just allocate sunbeds per room. It would solve this whole problem,' added another.
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The Independent
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Rooms channel a Japan-meets-Catalonia look, with details such as headboards inspired by trencadís tiling, and range from cocooning Deluxe pads to sky-high Suites with wooden baths set into the window. Address: Avinguda de Roma 2, 08014 2. Hotel Neri Barri Gòtic An exclusive 22-room oasis, Hotel Neri sits within two restored centuries-old mansions in the heart of the busy Barri Gòtic. This is Barcelona's only Relais & Châteaux property, and it's easy to see why. Enter through a sweeping lobby flaunting its original stone staircase and archway alongside chic, boutiquey design (hot-pink rugs, globe-like suspended lamps). The soothing rooms all have botanical Barcelona-made toiletries in pretty pots crafted by a local artisan, and several have their own terraces (even one with an outdoor bath tub). After wandering the sights, relax around the rooftop plunge pool, framed by cane sunbeds, swirls of bougainvillea and urban views. There's a wonderful Catalan-inspired restaurant too, with alfresco tables on the evocative Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. 3. Casa Bonay hotel Eixample Barcelona's design world is celebrated in easy-going, art-loving style at Casa Bonay, a creatively restored 1860s Eixample building where rooms ramble off plant-filled corridors and a lively local crowd gathers at various drinking-and-dining spots. Original Catalan-style tiles, locally crafted wool throws and perks like yoga mats create a stylish yet homey feel in the 67 rooms, the best of which have terraces with outdoor drench showers. This is the place that brought hotel-lobby culture to Barcelona, so there's always something fun happening. New for 2025 is open-air wellness space Termas Bonay, offering a sauna, an ice bath, a hammam and treatments among herb gardens on the secluded rooftop. Luxury, but with a laid-back Barcelona vibe. 4. Almanac Barcelona hotel Eixample Gazing out across the Eixample from the rooftop at Almanac Barcelona, just one block off Passeig de Gràcia, is enough to make anyone fall head over heels for Barcelona. Lavender, strelitzias and tall grasses fringe a sand-coloured pool, and the open-air Azimuth bar has curving loungers and creative astrology-inspired cocktails. The hotel is spread across two interconnected buildings, one of them still showing off its original Modernista facade. There are 91 tech-forward rooms to pick from, with smoked-mirror panels, black-and-white Barcelona photographs and glossy white-marble bathrooms. Chef Rodrigo de la Calle heads up the superb, understated ground-floor restaurant Virens, which is all about plant-based cooking with a gourmet spin. 5. Primero Primera hotel Sarrià-Sant Gervasi A haven of discreet luxury awaits at this intimate boutique address hidden away in a peaceful, upscale northwest district, just 15 minutes by metro from the city centre. A 20th-century family home has been transformed with 30 understated rooms, all styled with vintage furniture, gleaming teak-wood trim and Barcelona-made Nature Bissé bath products. Out the back, herb-fresh gardens lead to a villa-like pool, which some rooms look out on from sunny private balconies. There's plenty of luxury in the detail too, from in-the-know dining recommendations to massages that can be arranged in your room, and the hotel's romantically lit front terrace is home to locally loved modern-Catalan restaurant Planta Baja. 6. El Palace hotel Eixample A shining star of classic five-star opulence, El Palace was originally Barcelona's Ritz hotel. But it isn't all old-school glamour here. The ground-level Amar restaurant is a destination dining spot spearheaded by chef Rafa Zafra, known for his innovative take on seafood-driven cuisine. On the jasmine-shaded rooftop (inspired by 1920s Modernista gardens), there are yoga classes, live-music events, cinema nights and seasonal pop-up restaurants. Elegant, cream-toned rooms have botanical-print walls, smart antiques and marble bathrooms, though it's the thematic Art Suites that the hotel is famous for, created in honour of celebrity guests such as Josephine Baker. Settling in for a decadent afternoon tea in the gilded, mirror-walled main hall is a delight (even if you aren't staying). 7. Serras Barcelona hotel Barri Gòtic A 19th-century building refurbished with soul, the Serras is perfect for anyone seeking a five-star base within leisurely reach of both the beaches and the Barri Gòtic's cultural attractions. It's an intimate spot that channels a boutique feel, particularly in the 28 sunny rooms, which have balconies, yoga mats, and chic design elements inspired by Catalan tilework. Stays here include access to a rooftop deck overlooking the Port Vell marina, where you can cool off in the plunge pool or dive into the city's celebrated food scene with imaginative sharing plates at Informal. There's an instantly welcoming feel in the light-filled lobby-lounge, now home to creative Italian-Catalan restaurant Agreste. 8. Grand Hotel Central La Ribera In an enviably central spot on the Via Laietana boulevard, Grand Hotel Central rests right on the doorstep of both El Born and the Barri Gòtic. Fully relaunched in 2024, it's now a five-star haven for lovers of architecture and design. The elegant 1920s building plays up its sharp, clean Noucentista lines everywhere from the checkered-floor lobby dotted with bold artwork to the earthy-toned rooms featuring custom-made furniture and bath products by Barcelona-born label Carner. Switch off over a glass of cava or a splash in the infinity-edge pool up on the eighth-floor rooftop, which has dreamy views across La Ribera's homes and many churches. 9. Hotel Arts Barcelona Port Olímpic One of Barcelona's original real-deal luxury properties, Hotel Arts still easily holds its own and has a coveted beachfront location (surprisingly tricky to find in this Mediterranean-side city). The chance to dine at Catalan chef Paco Pérez's two-Michelin-star restaurant Enoteca, renowned for its seasonally changing Costa Brava-rooted tasting menus, only adds to the appeal. Designed as a soaring 44-floor tower, the hotel has 432 swish, light-washed rooms that have been recently revamped taking inspiration for Barcelona's coastal landscapes and arts scene. A gorgeous 43rd-floor spa affords views of the city sprawling all around from its hot tubs and outdoor terraces, and the main infinity pool looks over Frank Gehry's Peix sculpture (an enormous shimmering fish). 10. Sir Victor Hotel Eixample There's an eyeful of Gaudí's wave-like La Pedrera to swoon over from the stylish rooftop bar and dip pool at Sir Victor Hotel, which sits surrounded by headline attractions in northern Eixample. Formerly the beloved Hotel Omm, the property was reborn a few years ago under the trend-setting, Amsterdam-founded Sir Hotels brand. All the rooms have a breezy, bright feel, as well as stacks of design books to flick through, local art on the walls and private balconies for lingering on. The lively lobby flows through to sultry steakhouse Mr Porter, a locally popular destination in its own right. 11. Kimpton Vividora Barcelona hotel Barri Gòtic The Barri Gòtic might be the city's busiest neighbourhood, but there's no denying the charm of waking up among its ancient alleys, plazas and churches. The five-star, boutique-in-feel Kimpton Vividora sits just around the corner from Plaça del Pi in the heart of Barcelona. You'll enjoy views of the neighbouring Cathedral's spires from the buzzy rooftop, which is part cocktail-and-tapas bar and part lounge area with a shimmery metallic pool. The 156 rooms go big on bold, Mediterranean colours, and have fun design touches like retro phones and royal-blue tilework. Book a Suite for a terrace overlooking the city and your own freestanding bath tub. A crop of thoughtful extras includes evening drinks in the lobby, in-room yoga mats, and bikes to borrow for zipping around town. 12. Monument Hotel Eixample Everything revolves around fabulous dining at this transformed 19th-century palace on upper Passeig de Gràcia, which is home to three-Michelin-star Lasarte (one of Spain's finest restaurants) and one-star Oria, both led by renowned Basque chef Martín Berasategui. The culinary thrills continue on the bijou Verbena rooftop, which offers more relaxed, Mediterranean-driven menus and also has a pool made from glowy white mosaics to lounge around. Each of the 84 elegant rooms is outfitted with red-brick walls, custom-made oak furnishings and tile-covered bathrooms, and most have balconies. An on-site spa offers its own 'tasting menu' of sculpting facials and aromatherapy massages. 13. Soho House Barcelona hotel Barri Gòtic Artily creative design meets a slice of sunny Barcelona living at the city's Soho House, which has taken over an 18th-century building opposite the Port Vell marina, just a 10-minute walk from the Gothic Cathedral. The 56 rooms (also available to non-member guests) lean into their seaside location, mixing vintage pieces and architecture quirks with Catalonia-inspired colours, prints and fabrics. You may well find them so impeccably cosy that it's tempting to never leave, but there is of course a lively line-up of dining, drinking and socialising spots to enjoy, along with an arch-framed Cowshed spa. Join the buzz at the rooftop cocktail bar; book in for an Italian-flavoured brunch at Cecconi's; or snag a perch under the stripy-red canopy beds by the pool, which has views of yachts and rooftops. Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writer, Isabella Noble, who lives in Spain and has a deep knowledge of the country. She has lived in Andalucía and Barcelona and has authored several guidebooks on the country. When picking which hotels to include in the best luxury hotels in our Barcelona guide, Isabella considered her own experience staying in the hotels and evaluated location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQs What are the best areas of Barcelona to stay in? Eixample, Barri Gòtic and Poble Sec are some of the most popular areas to stay in in Barcelona. Where are the best shopping spots? One of the busiest shopping areas in Barcelona is Passeig de Graci, also known as the 'golden mile', with the street lined with haute couture, international brands are represented, and local talent such as Santa Eulalia. El Raval is best for vintage clothing stores, and you'll find lots of fashion up-and-comers in El Born. Various handmade gifts and homewares are sold at stores along La Rambla and within Barri Gòtic, while markets such as Mercat Santa Caterina, Mercat de Sant Antoni and Mercat de la Boqueria sell fresh produce. Where do celebrities stay in Barcelona? The Majestic Hotel and Spa is one of Barcelona's most well-known five-star haunts that has attracted guests such as Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker and European royals such as Queen Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg and Emeritus Queen Dona Sofia of Spain. Hotel Arts Barcelona has seen popstar Ariana Grande stay in its penthouse suite, while El Palace has been rumoured to have hosted A-listers such as Cary Grant, Madonna, Barack Obama and the Rolling Stones.
