Sun Sep 15 17:19:26 UTC 2024: ## Resort Chaos: Tourists Rush for Pool Chairs at Dawn
**Tenerife, Spain** – The quest for relaxation at a luxury resort has taken a bizarre turn, with guests engaging in a daily “running of the guests” to secure coveted pool chairs. Videos have emerged showing tourists lining up as early as 6:30 AM, waiting for the pool gates to open at 8 AM, just to secure a spot for the day.
The phenomenon, dubbed “resort factory” by travel expert Gary Leff, is not unique to Tenerife. Similar scenes occur at resorts worldwide, where guests routinely “save” chairs with towels, often for hours on end.
Leff, a leading voice in the miles and points industry, argues that this practice undermines the entire concept of relaxation. “I’ve never understood buying a plane ticket and paying for a resort – and then having to get up at 6 o’clock in the morning just to reserve a pool or beach chair in order to ‘relax’,” he writes. “It’s not a holiday, it’s a race.”
The situation has sparked debate online, with some criticizing the behavior as selfish and inconsiderate. Others, however, defend the practice as a necessity, pointing to the limited availability of chairs at popular resorts.
The issue has also raised concerns about the increasing commercialization of resorts, with some hotels accused of intentionally reducing the number of pool chairs to drive revenue from reserved areas and cabanas.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the quest for a relaxing vacation can often be a competitive, and surprisingly early, game. Perhaps, as Leff suggests, it’s time to consider alternative destinations where true luxury is not found in a crowded pool area.
First Piper 