A German pilot has won a legal battle against his tour operator after his children were forced to lie on concrete at a luxury Greek resort because all sunbeds were reserved with towels. David Eggert, 48, from Dusseldorf, sued the company following his 10-night stay at the five-star Grecotel Kos Imperial resort on the island of Kos in 2024.

Towel-Grabbing Tourists Spark Legal Action

Eggert, who paid over £6,200 for the family holiday, claimed that every one of the 400 sunbeds was reserved with towels by other guests, leaving his children without a place to relax by the pool. He described how guests would secure loungers early in the morning, often before sunrise, and then leave them unused for hours while they returned to their rooms or went into town.

Hotel Policy Ignored

The resort had signs prohibiting the practice of reserving sunbeds with towels, but Eggert said the rules were widely ignored. He attempted to secure a spot each morning but was unsuccessful. Instead, his children were forced to lie on the poolside concrete while empty loungers remained unused.

Legal Victory and Compensation

Eggert took legal action against his tour operator and was awarded £770 in compensation. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he criticized the selfish behavior of other tourists, stating that the practice of reserving sunbeds with towels had ruined his family's holiday experience.

The case highlights the ongoing issue of towel-grabbing at resorts, where guests often reserve sunbeds early in the day, leaving them unused for extended periods and causing frustration for other holidaymakers.