No more worries about sunbeds – just book one

Holidays: Firm now offers service to reserve a lounger for a booking fee

Holidaymakers are being offered the chance to reserve sunbeds without the daily dash to put a towel down.

Thomas Cook customers willing to pay 25 euros (£22) will be able to book a specific lounger for their entire stay.

It says it is the UK’S first package holiday company to provide such a service.

Travel firms receive numerous complaints from customers unable to use hotel sunbeds because many are reserved by people leaving towels, books and other belongings on them.

A number of videos have been posted online in recent months showing desperate holidaymakers waiting for hotel pools to open in the early hours of the morning so they can bag a sunbed.

Thomas Cook’s UK managing director Chris Mottershead said: “Traditional package holidays are a thing of the past. Holidaymakers today want to personalise their package, mixing and matching the elements that best fit their needs and lifestyle.

“We’re excited about the opportunity with Choose Your Favourite Sunbed, particularly among families that want to secure a number of beds together in a specific spot.”

Sunbeds will be displayed on a map featuring a compass to help people work out whether certain areas will be in the sun or shade at different times of the day.

Only a proportion of a hotel’s sunbeds will be bookable, in a bid to ensure there are still enough for those who do not want to pay the premium.

Picture: Getty. Thomas Cook is offering holidaymakers the chance to make sure they get a lounger – for a fee.