Lounge war at the pool: Hotels enforce reservation bans!

Lounge war at the pool: Hotels enforce reservation bans!

Vacationers are often faced with the challenge of reserving loungers at the pool or beach. This often leads to conflict, as many guests reach for towels to secure their place. In response to this situation, some hotels have begun to prohibit lounger reservations in their house rules in order to ensure greater fairness. Lawyer Roosbeh Karimi confirms that hoteliers have the right to set and enforce such rules. This means that towels may be removed from unused loungers after a certain period of time, approximately 30 minutes.

But what happens if these rules are not followed? A ruling by the Hanover district court recently caused a stir. Holidaymakers on Rhodes who adhered to the reservation bans successfully sued for compensation. They hadn't been able to find any loungers, even though they had followed the hotel's guidelines. The court ruled that non-compliance with the reservation ban constituted a travel deficiency and awarded the plaintiffs compensation of 15% of the travel price, which in this case corresponded to approximately 320 euros. The organizer described the situation as a “peaceful race for the coveted places”, but this did not convince the court.

Legal basis of travel defects

The legal basis for travel defects is set out in the German Civil Code (BGB) and applies in particular to package tours (Section 651a Paragraph 2 BGB). Individually arranged trips may be subject to different regulations. The different types of travel defects include defects in the accommodation, such as cleanliness and furnishings, as well as noise disturbances or problems with the food and booked services. Loss or damage to luggage also falls under travel defects.

If travelers notice a defect, they should document it immediately and report it to the tour operator (§ 651o BGB). If the organizer does not respond to the complaint, holidaymakers have the right to remedy the defect themselves or to use replacement services, even if this is considered disproportionate (Section 651k Para. 3 BGB).

Travel price reduction and deadlines

A travel price reduction is calculated based on the entire price of the package tour, with insurance premiums not being taken into account. The Frankfurt table 2025 provides guidance in this regard. A family that paid 1,800 euros for their trip could expect a reduction of between 450 euros and 630 euros, depending on the extent of the shortage.

It is important to note that claims for travel price reductions and compensation expire after two years (§ 651j BGB). Holidaymakers are therefore well advised to assert their claims promptly. The definition and enforcement of such rights could become even more important in the future, especially with regard to the popular topic of lounger reservations in hotels.

Overall, the court decisions show that travelers should know and enforce their rights to ensure fairer treatment in their vacation destinations. South Germans and Hopkins Law provide valuable information on this topic.