In a surge of holiday desperation, British tourists across Canary Islands and Mallorca are queuing from early morning hours to secure coveted sunbeds, sparking tensions and calls for fairer allocation amidst rising sunbed disputes.
In a striking demonstration of holiday desperation, British tourists have been seen queuing for over an hour at the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort in the Canary Islands, all in pursuit of prime sunbed real estate. On May 28, footage captured diners resorting to alarm clocks as early as 8am, despite pool openings not scheduled until 9:30am. The lines of determined sunseekers, armed with towels, sunscreen, and flip-flops, have become a routine spectacle at this popular resort. Isabelle Hanssen, a guest from the Netherlands, observed this phenomenon, noting that the queue often consists of British holidaymakers with a smattering of Germans.
This scenario reflects a broader trend in holiday behaviours, as British tourists across popular destinations in Spain engage in their own version of sunbed warfare. Reports from Mallorca indicate that some guests have begun placing towels at pool entrances as early as 6:30am, leading hoteliers to adapt by delaying pool openings. The lengths some travellers will go to reserve a spot underscore the intense competition for limited seating around hotel pools, particularly among middle-aged and older visitors. Similar scenes unfolded in Tenerife, where tourists queued as early as 6am to secure sunbeds at the Spring Hotel Bitacora, showcasing a well-orchestrated ballet of hurried placements and competitive dashes upon opening.
The rising tensions surrounding this increasingly ritualistic struggle for sunbeds have attracted criticism, with some viewers branding the behaviour as “pathetic” and indicative of deeper issues around holiday etiquette. Reports of confrontations over sunbed claims have become commonplace, such as an incident involving two British holidaymakers engaged in a heated dispute at a Lanzarote hotel and another altercation in Turkey where a tourist faced violence over a sunbed complaint. Such incidents shed light on the darker side of this holiday phenomenon, highlighting the lengths to which some individuals will go to secure leisure time, sparking outrage and incredulity among both tourists and local residents.
Even as this spectacle unfolds, the debate over more equitable sunbed allocation practices persists, with some commentators suggesting that hotels should consider assigning sunbeds per room to mitigate the chaos. A refreshing yet cautious proposal, it speaks volumes about the frustrations many tourists experience: trying to enjoy a leisurely holiday while entangled in the competitive fervour of daily sunbed reservations.
As the holiday season rolls forward, the stakes for securing sunbathing spots show no sign of abating. Locals in various Spanish resorts have taken to mocking the queuing behaviours of tourists, with unflattering terms like “the walking dead” being thrown around in jest. The practice of reserving sunbeds with towels remains a point of contention, leading to rising tensions between locals and visitors. As these antics capture headlines and social media attention, one must wonder what, if anything, can be done to bring a sense of order—and dignity—back to beach holidays.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative highlights British tourists queuing for sunbeds at the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort in the Canary Islands, with footage from May 28, 2025. Similar reports have emerged in recent years, indicating that this is an ongoing issue. For instance, in August 2024, tourists at the Villa Romana hotel in Salou, Spain, were observed queuing and sprinting to secure sunbeds. ([scotsman.com](https://www.scotsman.com/watch-this/tourists-sprint-to-claim-sunbeds-video-4745661?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, in August 2024, holidaymakers in Tenerife were seen queuing for hours to get hotel sunbeds. ([express.co.uk](https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1654865/Spain-sunbed-wars-holidaymakers-queue-hotel-tenerife?utm_source=openai)) These recurring reports suggest that while the specific incident is recent, the phenomenon of 'sunbed wars' is not new. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score, but the recycled nature of the content warrants a flag. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the repetition of similar content across various outlets suggests a lack of originality. The earliest known publication date of a substantially similar narrative is August 2024. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Isabelle Hanssen, a guest from the Netherlands, noting that the queue often consists of British holidaymakers with a smattering of Germans. A search for this specific quote did not yield earlier instances, suggesting it may be original or exclusive content. However, without additional context or verification, the originality of this quote cannot be fully confirmed.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a publication known for sensationalist reporting. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The report includes quotes from individuals without clear verification, which further diminishes the credibility of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative describes British tourists queuing for sunbeds at the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort, with footage from May 28, 2025. Similar incidents have been reported in other Spanish resorts, such as Salou and Tenerife, indicating that this behaviour is plausible. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the sensationalist tone of the report raise questions about the accuracy and authenticity of the claims. The structure includes excessive detail unrelated to the main claim, which may be a distraction tactic. The tone is unusually dramatic and doesn't resemble typical corporate or official language, warranting further scrutiny.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a sensationalised account of British tourists queuing for sunbeds at a Canary Islands resort, with footage from May 28, 2025. While similar incidents have been reported in the past, the recycled nature of the content, reliance on a sensationalist source, and lack of supporting details from reputable outlets raise significant concerns about the credibility and originality of the report. The inclusion of updated data does not fully mitigate these issues.
