£40 FOR A SUN LOUNGER
We stump up to pip Germans
BRITS are forking out £119million a year to beat the Germans by reserving sun loungers.
One in 10 hotels charge tourists an average of nearly £40 a day to guarantee a sunbed.
One in four resorts with beaches demand an average of £24 a day for a lounger on the sand, and around double that for non-guests.
And some exclusive hotspots, such as Marbella’s Ocean Beach Club, featured on reality show Towie, ask for £1,000 or more a day for a “Super VIP Square” sunbed.
These supersize sunbeds can cope with up to 12 revellers and include three bottles of champagne.
The survey found that we rent 17.5m sunbeds a year.
Direct Line’s study also revealed Brits have valuables worth £151million stolen every year while they are on loungers. Around 1.2m British travellers have had a bag or handbag nicked from a sunbed in the past five years.
And about double that number have lost a purse, wallet or cash.
Other items nabbed by thieves include hotel keys, passports and jewellery.
Tom Bishop of Direct Line said: “For many, it makes sense to treat yourself to the comfort of a reserved space.
“But it’s important not to let your guard down as pickpockets and thieves are aware that tourists often bring cash, phones, passports or credit cards poolside or to the beach.”