Resort pool chair saving is getting out of hand.

[ljmiii]

Some resorts are going to the towel "vending" machines. You scan your key and it opens up the towel rack. It than scans the towels as they leave the rack. When you are finished, you place the towel in a chute that scans the towel going in. Some of the South Carolina HGVC resorts (owned by Strand Capitol, not HGV) has instituted these, one of those being Ocean Enclave in Myrtle Beach. Many gyms in my area have instituted this technology as well.

The Westin St John just went through a review process that contemplated such a machine and rejected it - expensive outdoor electronics and salt air don't mix well. So now we have laminated paper towel cards that are good for two towels each.

 

[Dean]

Some resorts are going to the towel "vending" machines. You scan your key and it opens up the towel rack. It than scans the towels as they leave the rack. When you are finished, you place the towel in a chute that scans the towel going in. Some of the South Carolina HGVC resorts (owned by Strand Capitol, not HGV) has instituted these, one of those being Ocean Enclave in Myrtle Beach. Many gyms in my area have instituted this technology as well.

Yes, I've seen them at many locations and used them without issue. I'm not sure the ones I've seen actually scan the towels though either in or out.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes, I've seen them at many locations and used them without issue. I'm not sure the ones I've seen actually scan the towels though either in or out.

They don't actually track the towels. They are more or less there for optics. If you think you are being tracked, you are more likely to comply.

 

[rapmarks]

I have to laugh because there is a great deal of complaining where I live because to get in certain golf events, you have to line up at 5 am.
they would be aghast to hear you have to do that to get a pool chair on vacation.

 

[jp10558]

Maybe that's small table and chairs away from the pool, maybe cubbies, maybe cabanas, but at a lot of places, pool chairs are really your only option.

I just can't understand this - the places I've been, if I'm not at the chair, the only place I'd want to leave stuff unattended is the unit. If they added lockers - which I really don't understand why that wasn't done a long time ago - then those could be OK too.

With kids there's everyone's towels, but also sunscreen, snacks, water bottles, sandals, cover-ups, hats, sunglasses, pool floats, pool toys etc. Different people will have more or less things and different tolerances for packing everything up and moving throughout the day, but I don't think going back to the unit every time you need something is realistic, nor is just dumping everything on the ground.

IDK to me it's like, don't leave your crap in public places. Take it with you. Get a wagon I guess if you need that much stuff to go to a pool.

The difference with your examples is that we would be using the chairs, just not every minute of the day, I don't think anyone would want someone to come and remove their things and take their chair the second they jump in the pool, the question is long can you be away before it is an issue.

I mean, personally, move your feel lose your seat. But that's what I've been used to at home for decades now. If you're not using the chair, someone else should be able to use it.

I think that it is perfectly normal for people to set up chairs for the day, but not sit in them the entire time, yes, that could be as simple as going to the bathroom, for most people it is probably swimming in the pool

I'm willing to suggest a quick bathroom trip should be OK, but I also know people who would find 45 minutes potentially a bit short for a bathroom break, and again, there's only 24 hours in a day, of which I bet there's like 8 hours where this is a big issue? So it seems like wasting 1/8 of the potential usage is quite wasteful. Same for swimming in the pool, if you're in there for like 10 minutes, fine, but as you approach 1/8 or more of the potential use of the chair seems like bad manners to me.

or eating or perhaps other activities at the resort.

Why would you think you can keep a free space while off doing something completely different? Do you get mad at someone taking your parking space when you nip out to the local grocery "for only 1 hour"? IDK, I don't see the argument here. You're either using it or you're not. Simple. I'd suggest paid lockers or expensive paid chairs if you want to reserve them "just because" - and these probably should be add on hopefully paid for by people who want to have a chair "just in case" or as a strange location to keep stuff.

We did really like the system at Aruba Surf Club with the Palapa reservations, reserve on your phone the day before, then check in and claim it the next morning, I think we had to be there no later than 10 am, but then you didn't have to worry about it for the rest of the day. The cost to reserve them was reasonable, with it being more expensive closer to the beach and the ones at the back being free. I would love it if there was a system like that at other resorts with cabanas.

Yes, I suggested a rather simple key based system, but that's a lot of tech to make it work. It'd probably be an expensive per hour fee to pay for the system and maintaining it for those who wanted to reserve empty chairs.

 

[dioxide45]

Even with all the handwringing and suggestions, does anyone really expect any changes at the resort level? This is a tale as old as time, I suspect the subject will still be coming up 10 years from now.

 

[ljmiii]

Even with all the handwringing and suggestions, does anyone really expect any changes at the resort level? This is a tale as old as time, I suspect the subject will still be coming up 10 years from now.

I don't remember seeing staff removing towels 10 years ago (before 4-ish) but have seen it over the past couple of years. But that could just be me.

 

[Superchief]

If I was traveling with 6 or more people or several children, I would consider renting a cabana. You can leave your stuff there as long as you want and always have chairs available. They typically aren't that expensive at MVC resorts, especially if everyone chips in. Regarding the towel dispensing, I've noticed more resorts providing the towels in your room, with the ability to exchange them at the end of the day. The towel dispensing machine system doesn't appear to work very well and I'm confident a lot of towels aren't returned.

 

[WorldT]

If you are going to be walking, going for lunch, or something else and you are going to be gone for longer than 60 minutes, please release the chair or lounger for someone else.
Share the love, share the space. You will feel better at the end of the day.

 

[Dean]

They don't actually track the towels. They are more or less there for optics. If you think you are being tracked, you are more likely to comply.

That's what the ones I've seen looked like to me. You had so scan your room card but I could have grabbed 10 towels once the door was opened and the chute to place the dirty ones in was just a big hole with a tub under it.

Even with all the handwringing and suggestions, does anyone really expect any changes at the resort level? This is a tale as old as time, I suspect the subject will still be coming up 10 years from now.

I do partly because I've seen indications at some resorts that they are at least making an effort and I've seen quite a bit of attention to this by some of the other travel industry options, esp cruises. I don't expect it to be perfect or to happen overnight and across all resorts at one time though.

 

[Hindsite]

Even with all the handwringing and suggestions, does anyone really expect any changes at the resort level?

No. Travel somewhere or somewhen it isn't an issue, just like the unending moaning about dumpster views, or II reservations getting lower unit assignment.
Go somewhere else if you have a particular problem with these things.

 

[mjfehl]

I just can't understand this - the places I've been, if I'm not at the chair, the only place I'd want to leave stuff unattended is the unit. If they added lockers - which I really don't understand why that wasn't done a long time ago - then those could be OK too.

IDK to me it's like, don't leave your crap in public places. Take it with you. Get a wagon I guess if you need that much stuff to go to a pool.

I mean, personally, move your feel lose your seat. But that's what I've been used to at home for decades now. If you're not using the chair, someone else should be able to use it.

I'm willing to suggest a quick bathroom trip should be OK, but I also know people who would find 45 minutes potentially a bit short for a bathroom break, and again, there's only 24 hours in a day, of which I bet there's like 8 hours where this is a big issue? So it seems like wasting 1/8 of the potential usage is quite wasteful. Same for swimming in the pool, if you're in there for like 10 minutes, fine, but as you approach 1/8 or more of the potential use of the chair seems like bad manners to me.

Why would you think you can keep a free space while off doing something completely different? Do you get mad at someone taking your parking space when you nip out to the local grocery "for only 1 hour"? IDK, I don't see the argument here. You're either using it or you're not. Simple. I'd suggest paid lockers or expensive paid chairs if you want to reserve them "just because" - and these probably should be add on hopefully paid for by people who want to have a chair "just in case" or as a strange location to keep stuff.

Yes, I suggested a rather simple key based system, but that's a lot of tech to make it work. It'd probably be an expensive per hour fee to pay for the system and maintaining it for those who wanted to reserve empty chairs.

It really depends on how the family travels. For us, we regularly end up in Hawaii with 8 adults and now for our 2026 trip it will have 6 kids ranging from 1-12. As the kids get older they definitely need less stuff than the little ones when you're travelling with a stroller and diaper bag even to the pool. That said, we do not, and would not try to take 14 chairs. That's absurd. If I can get 1, maybe 2, for our 4 person part of the group that's plenty. We don't go down early to grab them, haven't had a real problem finding one so this isn't really an issue for us.

We take our stuff with us when we move from pool to beach, or go up to the room, so I'm totally with you there. In a 4-5 hour stretch of the day someone is almost always at the chair - getting a drink or something to eat, reading, checking their phone, drying off to go to the bathroom, etc. We are not a family that WANTS to sit in a pool side chair from 8am -5pm. IMO the people that want to do that just to sit in the sun drinking a beer and reading a book can do that in your backyard next summer.

I'd be open to Cabana rentals and we have done that in HHI. More resorts need them though. KO doesn't have them, Maui doesn't have them and I'd love to see them offer those at more resorts.

 

[mjfehl]

I did notice though that the JW Marriott in San Antonio with the water park now charges $15/day for "premium" seating

Not really where I'd want to see this go, but could be a solution.

 

[jp10558]

We are not a family that WANTS to sit in a pool side chair from 8am -5pm. IMO the people that want to do that just to sit in the sun drinking a beer and reading a book can do that in your backyard next summer.

Yea - I don't get that, but at least those people are actually using the facilities. A lot of this is described as if the people are just trying to prevent others from using the facilities - which just doesn't seem right.

And yea, IDK if I'd bother to travel a lot to sit by a pool - I could certainly do that at any of a lot of less in demand resorts during the summer anyway and likely save a lot of money (no need to be by a beach to sit by a pool).

 

[mjfehl]

Yea - I don't get that, but at least those people are actually using the facilities. A lot of this is described as if the people are just trying to prevent others from using the facilities - which just doesn't seem right.

Very good point

 

[tommmagill]

Recently was at Vidanta puerto Vallarta at rooftop pool. Arrived at 8:30 am and plently of chairs available. One couple had saved 2 prime chairs. They did not show up until 12:30 pm.. How rude!

 

[Former Cruiser]

They have the same system at the Surf Club. What the Ocean Club has going for it is a lot more beach area and many more palapas per guest.

At Aruba Surf Club we found people putting a flag on one chair and a towel on the one next to it at the pool. Then they went to the palapas on the beach and did the same thing. Nothing was ever done about the chairs with no flags. We're done going there which is sad.

 

[dioxide45]

At Aruba Surf Club we found people putting a flag on one chair and a towel on the one next to it at the pool. Then they went to the palapas on the beach and did the same thing. Nothing was ever done about the chairs with no flags. We're done going there which is sad.

So people have found a way to get around the whole reason the tags were implemented? They are apparently used to prevent people from holding chairs at both the pool and the beach. I understand the beach attendants aren't to provide loungers under a palapa that isn't tagged. It doesn't seem like it is enforced?

 

[mvickrey]

Don't ever wrestle with pigs. You'll both get muddy and the pig likes it!

 

[jbman]

So people have found a way to get around the whole reason the tags were implemented? They are apparently used to prevent people from holding chairs at both the pool and the beach. I understand the beach attendants aren't to provide loungers under a palapa that isn't tagged. It doesn't seem like it is enforced?

When we were at Surf Club in September it was definitely not enforced at the beach, we actually at first thought the tags were only for pool chairs and weren't using at first, and it was actually hard to get an attendant to set up the chairs, usually we did it on our own. Though there were plenty of palapas available at all times.

Pool chairs were a different story, we did see an attendant clear people's things, but don't know how consistent that was as we didn't spend much time by the pool. And the pool chairs were tough to get, maybe because one of pools was closed for refurbishment. Mostly we stayed at the beach and then headed to the pool later in the day when it had cleared out, but one morning our kids were doing the tie dye tshirts with the grandparents, my wife and I looked for chairs to sit while they were doing that and literally could not find a single one, not a big deal for us as we wouldn't have sat for very long anyway, but was surprising that nothing was available, especially since it was September, but again one pool closed at the time

 

[Lakeshore]

It really depends on how the family travels. For us, we regularly end up in Hawaii with 8 adults and now for our 2026 trip it will have 6 kids ranging from 1-12. As the kids get older they definitely need less stuff than the little ones when you're travelling with a stroller and diaper bag even to the pool. That said, we do not, and would not try to take 14 chairs. That's absurd. If I can get 1, maybe 2, for our 4 person part of the group that's plenty. We don't go down early to grab them, haven't had a real problem finding one so this isn't really an issue for us.

We take our stuff with us when we move from pool to beach, or go up to the room, so I'm totally with you there. In a 4-5 hour stretch of the day someone is almost always at the chair - getting a drink or something to eat, reading, checking their phone, drying off to go to the bathroom, etc. We are not a family that WANTS to sit in a pool side chair from 8am -5pm. IMO the people that want to do that just to sit in the sun drinking a beer and reading a book can do that in your backyard next summer.

I'd be open to Cabana rentals and we have done that in HHI. More resorts need them though. KO doesn't have them, Maui doesn't have them and I'd love to see them offer those at more resorts.

Hi! Good news….the Marriott KoOlina Beach Club does allow you to rent cabanas and/or two chairs and an umbrella, and it’s online and can be reserved a week in advance. You choose the actual cabana or umbrella spot, which is very nice(prices depend on location). It will be available just for you from 9am-4:30pm, and you can come and go as you please. You also can check in at anytime starting at 9am. No lines and they aren’t right on top of each other like the umbrella and chairs at the Wailea Marriott are. It was money well spent, as I don’t think people hogging chairs will ever end(it’s really bad at Newport Coast Villas), I wish all vacation clubs had this system.

 

[mjfehl]

Hi! Good news….the Marriott KoOlina Beach Club does allow you to rent cabanas and/or two chairs and an umbrella, and it’s online and can be reserved a week in advance. You choose the actual cabana or umbrella spot, which is very nice(prices depend on location). It will be available just for you from 9am-4:30pm, and you can come and go as you please. You also can check in at anytime starting at 9am. No lines and they aren’t right on top of each other like the umbrella and chairs at the Wailea Marriott are. It was money well spent, as I don’t think people hogging chairs will ever end(it’s really bad at Newport Coast Villas), I wish all vacation clubs had this system.

Are these the 2 chairs and umbrellas at the beach? Where are the Cabanas?

Thanks for this - would love to look at the online tool if you have the link

 

[Lakeshore]

Are these the 2 chairs and umbrellas at the beach? Where are the Cabanas?

Thanks for this - would love to look at the online tool if you have the link

Yes, it’s two chairs, a little table and an umbrella. Some of the cabanas are on the beach, and some on the grass. You will be able to see the map on the site. They seat two people. I think there are also bigger cabana rentals near the pool areas. Here is the link…you have to dig to find it on MKO website. It’s with activities.https://resortops.rezgo.com/
We got front row umbrella and chairs almost everyday we were there. It was great. The umbrellas allowed for a nice breeze.

Things To Do at This Resort | Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club

Spend your vacation exploring the best of Oahu from a spacious villa rental at Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, a family-friendly resort steps from the ocean.

www.marriott.com

 

[mjfehl]

Yes, it’s two chairs, a little table and an umbrella. Some of the cabanas are on the beach, and some on the grass. You will be able to see the map on the site. They seat two people. I think there are also bigger cabana rentals near the pool areas. Here is the link…you have to dig to find it on MKO website. It’s with activities.https://resortops.rezgo.com/
We got front row umbrella and chairs almost everyday we were there. It was great. The umbrellas allowed for a nice breeze.

Things To Do at This Resort | Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club

Spend your vacation exploring the best of Oahu from a spacious villa rental at Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, a family-friendly resort steps from the ocean.

www.marriott.com

Thanks! The beach/grass ones don't interest me, but are good for some I'm sure.

$300 for a 6 person Cabana seems a bit pricey, but if we have a day that we intend to hang out at the pool all day, we may spring for that next summer, especially as we will have a toddler travelling with us.

 

[Lakeshore]

Thanks! The beach/grass ones don't interest me, but are good for some I'm sure.

$300 for a 6 person Cabana seems a bit pricey, but if we have a day that we intend to hang out at the pool all day, we may spring for that next summer, especially as we will have a toddler travelling with us.

Hope it works out for you and your family…a big cabana would be great for a group, especially with a little one.
It’s nice to be able to come and go...we love being on the beach, and so for us, the $55 front row umbrella and chairs were great! The other rows are a little less expensive, too. It was especially nice not to have to get up early, wait in a long line, hoping to get something while on vacation. No stress. I booked ours a week in advance, but now I see they changed it and it says you can book 14 days in advance. I would highly advise to book in advance. They did sell out. And the cancellation policy is as follows. To avoid a full day charge, cancellation must be made by 8am on the day of reservation.
Have a great trip!