I'm a sun lounger addict - I lay out my towel at 1am to get the best spot by the pool, even though I know it's unfair.

A sunbed addict has admitted she puts her towel down at 1am to get the best spot by the pool, knowing it’s unfair.

Aimee Millar, 20, said she decided to leave her room in the middle of the night when she discovered other guests were doing the same thing.

Aimee Millar, 20, admitted she uses her sun loungers at 1am before going to bedCredits: Jam Press/@aimee.millar23

Aimee filmed her morning journey alongside her boyfriend to get the best poolside seatsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@aimee.millar23

She claims she would have to pay £6 per deckchair if she arrived too lateCredit: Jam Press Vid/@aimee.millar23

The couple said they spotted other guests using the sneaky tactic and decided to join the sunbed war.Credit: Jam Press Vid/@aimee.millar23

The holidaymaker, who lives near Belfast, Northern Ireland, said she would have to pay £6 for each sunbed if she did not claim them early enough.

She told Luxury Travel Daily: “Even though it was crazy, we didn’t mind doing it at 1am because we were going to stay up later anyway.”

Aimee and her partner Darragh, also 20, decided to join the sunbed wars while on holiday in Albufeira, Portugal.

They stayed at the popular resort from July 28 to August 10

The first few mornings they collected their deckchairs before breakfast around 6am but kept missing the best spots.

In a video shared to TikTok, Aimee documented the couple’s morning trip to the pool in an effort to secure the best sun loungers.

Armed with their towels, Aimee said: “I know it’s crazy, but it’s the normal thing to do here.”

Reflecting on her underhanded strategy, she recognized that it was unfair.

Aimee said: “I think it’s fair to put the deckchairs away in the morning, but more likely around 9 or 10am.

Watch holidaymakers rush to the sun loungers as soon as the hotel staff open the doors at the height of the summer season

Aimee and her partner Darragh were on holiday in Albufeira, PortugalCredits: Jam Press/@aimee.millar23

Aimee said she was constantly missing the best poolside spots during the first few days of her tripCredits: Jam Press/@aimee.millar23

“Everyone loves being by the pool and not having to pay or lie on the grass.

“I think leaving towels on the floor when leaving the pool or late at night is crazy and a bit over the top.

“I think it wouldn’t be very fair to an older couple or families with young children who might go to bed earlier – they can’t go in there and do that as easily.”

Viewers took to the comments on TikTok to express their shock.

One user commented: “I actually couldn’t do it, this is ridiculous.”

Another added: “Hotels need to start allocating sunbeds because the situation is out of control.”

“I would just go downstairs and throw the towels away in the morning, I don’t care,” wrote a third user.

A fourth said: “I would just go downstairs and throw the towels away in the morning, I don’t care.”

“I just came back from Turkey, the hotel didn’t allow anyone to reserve sunbeds. This is crazy,” added another.

The case comes after Spanish police were spotted confiscating sun loungers and parasols left behind by beach-grabbing tourists, imposing hefty fines on them to get their items back.

Police appear to have joined the war against eager sun worshippers who claim their place by the sea while they eat breakfast or even go back to bed.

Footage showed police officers in Playa de Torrox in Malaga collecting dozens of unoccupied sun loungers and parasols before throwing them into the back of their trucks.

Tourists whose beach items were seized will now have to collect them from their local police station after paying a whopping £210.

How do hotels deal with the “deckchair war”?

THIS summer, many hotels across Europe have adopted various strategies to address this issue and ensure a fairer system for all guests.

Here are some of the methods used to control the “tanning bed wars”:

Booking deadlines:Some hotels have strict time limits on how long a sunbed can be reserved without being used. If a sunbed is left unattended for more than a set period of time (often between 30 minutes and an hour), hotel staff may remove towels and personal belongings, freeing up the sunbed for other guests.

Staff monitoring:Many hotels have increased the presence of staff around pools to more closely monitor the use of sun loungers. These staff members are responsible for enforcing time limits and ensuring that guests follow the rules.

Towel Removal Services:Some hotels have implemented a system whereby hotel staff automatically remove towels or personal belongings from sunbeds that have been left unattended for too long. This approach is intended to discourage guests from reserving sunbeds without any immediate intention of using them.

Reservation systems:In some cases, hotels have adopted more formal booking systems where guests can reserve a sunbed for a specific time slot, either via an app or at a hotel kiosk. This approach helps manage demand more efficiently and ensures all guests have a fair chance to use the facilities.

Signage and communication with customers:Hotels also post signs around pools and provide information at check-in to inform guests of sunbed policies. Clear communication helps set expectations and reduce conflicts between guests.

Fines and penalties:In the most extreme cases, some hotels have introduced fines or penalties for guests who repeatedly break the rules for reserving sunbeds. This can include a charge on their room or a warning that any further breaches will result in restricted access to the pool.