Hotel pool sunloungers: how many and which to choose
For many guests the pool area is the picture they take home from their holiday, and sunloungers are at the heart of it. Too few, and the early-morning towel race begins, along with the complaints. Too many, and the deck feels crowded and loses its appeal.
This guide explains how to work out how many sunloungers your hotel needs, how much space each one takes, which materials hold up next to the water, and how to plan umbrellas and side tables around them.
How many sunloungers you need
There is no single rule, but there is a sensible method. Start with the maximum number of guests at full occupancy and estimate what share of them are at the pool at the same time during the busiest hours. That share varies a lot: it is high at a family resort without a beach, and lower at a city hotel or a property with direct sea access.
If the hotel is already operating, your own data is the best source: count occupied loungers at 11:00 and 15:00 during peak weeks. For a new property, discuss the guest profile with the operator or tour operator, and leave room for a few extra loungers that can go into a secondary zone on the busiest days.
- Maximum guests at full occupancy
- Share at the pool during peak hours
- Alternative zones: beach, garden, roof terrace
- Available deck area around the pool
How much space each lounger takes
A typical sunlounger is about 190 to 200 cm long and 60 to 75 cm wide. In practice it also needs space around it: a side table or room for guests to put their things down, clearance for the backrest, and access for staff serving drinks. A practical planning figure is about 3 to 4 m² per lounger, including side tables and walkways.
Keep a clear walkway around the pool edge so guests can move safely without squeezing between loungers. Also check the pool regulations that apply to your property, which may set minimum clearances and free areas.
Materials that hold up by the water
A pool lounger is constantly wet, covered in sun cream, exposed to chlorine or salt and left in the sun all day. Powder-coated aluminium frames are the most common choice because they do not rust and are light. Teak gives a more natural, upmarket look but is heavier and needs care. For the lying surface, textilene dries quickly, while synthetic rope gives a more contemporary woven look.
Very dark surfaces get hot in direct sun, which matters for loungers used without cushions. If you add cushions, choose quick-dry foam and outdoor fabrics, and plan where they will be stored overnight or when it rains.
Function: backrest, wheels, stacking
An adjustable backrest with several positions is essential. Check that the mechanism is simple, does not trap fingers and can be operated with one hand. Wheels at one end make moving loungers and cleaning the deck much easier, especially with heavier models.
If you need to clear all loungers at the end of the season or ahead of a storm, stacking saves a lot of storage space. Ask how many can be stacked safely and how much each one weighs.
Umbrellas, side tables and daybeds
The usual arrangement is one umbrella for every two loungers with a side table in between. The umbrella base must have the weight the manufacturer specifies for the canopy size, and in windy areas umbrellas should be closed as the wind picks up. Bases fixed to the deck are an option for exposed spots.
Daybeds and double loungers in a quieter part of the pool area add variety and, at many hotels, can be offered to guests as a premium option.
Maintenance and next steps
Rinse loungers regularly with fresh water to remove chlorine, salt and sun cream. At the end of the season, clean them, check screws, wheels and slings, and store them somewhere dry. A small repair in winter costs less than a replacement in May.
Almeco manufactures outdoor furniture for hotels at its own factory in Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki, and delivers across Greece and the islands. Send us your pool plan and room count and we will prepare a quote with prices and lead times.