UK tourists who have experienced difficulties securing sun loungers on Greek holidays could be entitled to a payout of up to £851 after a landmark court case. A German tourist successfully claimed compensation after failing to find a sun lounger despite waking up at 6am to reserve one.
Details of the Case
The incident occurred on the Greek island of Kos in August 2024. The German tourist, a father of two, spent 20 minutes each morning searching for a spot to relax, only to find all loungers reserved with towels from the previous day. The hotel failed to enforce its own rules against towel reserving, leaving the man and his children to lie on the floor. The tour operator also did not address his complaints.
The man paid £6,203 (€7,186) for a package holiday for himself, his wife, and their two children. Despite hotel rules prohibiting bed reservation with towels, the family found all beds occupied each morning.
Court Ruling
Judges ruled in favor of the holidaymaker, awarding him £851.75 (€986.70) in compensation. They determined that the holiday package was “defective” because it did not provide the expected “character” of a relaxing vacation. The court stated that hotels must ensure a “reasonable” ratio of sunbeds to guests.
Implications for UK Tourists
The case has sparked hope among UK tourists that they too could claim refunds if they face similar issues. Many social media users shared their own experiences. One Brit wrote: “Once happened to us. After a few days of seeing beds claimed but not occupied until after lunch, my wife spread honey on her hands and wiped them on some of the towels. The wasps beat the occupants to those beds that day!” Another commented: “Why would people honour those towels? You can remove them and sit down.” A third noted: “You wouldn’t be able to win this case against an ordinary hotel. But these types of holiday packages are a special legal construct. You often pay 30–50% more, but the travel agency is responsible for everything, and you can sue them for even the smallest things.”
What This Means for Travelers
Travel experts suggest that UK tourists who have booked package holidays and faced similar issues may have grounds for compensation. The key is to document complaints and seek legal advice if the tour operator or hotel fails to address the problem.
