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Original poster

AIBU To Consider Portable sunbeds

70 replies

chambawamba · 21/07/2025 04:38

We are going on holiday soon. The hotel doesn’t have a pool although it overlooks the beach.

Apparently it costs €27 a day to hire two sunbeds on the beach, so for the four of us for a fortnight it’s €756.

That’s quite a chunk of money on top of our holiday.

Having looked online, a lot of people buy their own ones there, although the local shops charge a hefty premium for them.

A friend has suggested taking our own fold up sunbeds in our suitcases. I’m not sure how I feel about this as I don’t want to look like a cheapskate.

Any ideas where we can buy lightweight ones in the UK please?

I’ll then check them out and make a decision as to whether we just pay to hire them on the beach.

Thanks

OP posts:
HotCrossBunplease · 22/07/2025 00:13

Surely you save money by booking a cheaper hotel with no pool or private beach area, but the trade off is that you have to pay for a beach sunbed? You’ll need the parasols more than the beds. Are all 4 of you adults? If not, you can maybe get away with only 2 subeds. Or if you have a very small child take one of those pop up tents instead.

limescale · 22/07/2025 00:09

NebulousSupportPostcard · 21/07/2025 19:52

Could you get inflatable lilos and just pass them on to someone else before you come home?

I have put beach towels over this type when staying near a shingle beach.

They don't allow you to sit up and read, or drink etc very comfortably

limescale · 22/07/2025 00:07

Darragon · 21/07/2025 13:40

What an absolute waste of crap being used for a week or two then going to landfill. Everyone doing this instead of lying on a bloody towel like a normal person should be ashamed of themselves! YABVVVVU.

I think the environmental impact of the flying is greater by some considerable degree than a few sun beds (which can be reused).

Sun loungers really make a difference if you want to spend more than a couple of hours on the beach. They are so much more comfortable when you want to keep an eye on the youngsters, or if you want to read...or pretty much anything apart from actually lie flat.

4naans · 21/07/2025 23:58

It'll be sunbeds and a parasol won't it? That's the thing I would want the shade.

MsJen · 21/07/2025 20:48

Shenmen · 21/07/2025 14:12

Absolutely this. Unless you are all disabled/chronic back pain then it's ridiculous.

Show quote history

I’ve had mine for years, nowhere near going to landfill.

NebulousSupportPostcard · 21/07/2025 19:52

Could you get inflatable lilos and just pass them on to someone else before you come home?

I have put beach towels over this type when staying near a shingle beach.

PiggieWig · 21/07/2025 18:49

These pack small too

https://amzn.eu/d/4kGp7Ge

I wouldn’t be taking a metal framed one. They are way too bulky to be carting along in your luggage.

MinnieMountain · 21/07/2025 17:54

I can see the point in getting one. I’m planning to get one as I’m going to spend lots of time on the beach reading when I go to France in September. It will be much more comfortable with a back rest.

whirlyhead · 21/07/2025 14:48

€28 a day for 2 sunbeds with umbrella in Pollensa, Mallorca so €27 doesn't sound uncommon!

Is there nowhere you can rent portable sunbeds from for the time? We have shops that do that here, and they also do umbrellas. It's a lot cheaper.

ClearlyAGiraffe · 21/07/2025 14:29

When I was a little girl, my mother taught us how to make her comfortable sunbed from sand, like her mother had taught her. And then I taught me own kids. You get to the beach, then the minions make you a big wedge cushion of sand the moment you arrive.

EspeciallyHeinous · 21/07/2025 14:14

bloody hell where are you going that charges so much? It £2.50 per bed per day in Cyprus, we go every other day and spend time at the hotel pool on the other days

Shenmen · 21/07/2025 14:12

Darragon · 21/07/2025 13:40

What an absolute waste of crap being used for a week or two then going to landfill. Everyone doing this instead of lying on a bloody towel like a normal person should be ashamed of themselves! YABVVVVU.

Absolutely this. Unless you are all disabled/chronic back pain then it's ridiculous.

Fifthtimelucky · 21/07/2025 14:11

I am happy to lie on a towel, but agree with a PP that the bigger issue would be the parasol. In the past I have bought those and just (reluctantly) left them at the hotel/apartment.

Plinketyplonks · 21/07/2025 14:11

we are on hol at the moment and just put towels down! Our villa last week provided roll up straw mat things and they were nice. But we don’t actually really lie down as in the water with kids.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 21/07/2025 14:05

I’m not sure how I feel about this as I don’t want to look like a cheapskate

Oh who gives a shit, seriously. you would spend the best part of £1000 to not look cheap infant of people who don't care and you'll never see again?

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 21/07/2025 14:03

Lots of people take their own. Bigger issue for me would be a sun shade/umbrella.

Duvetcover01 · 21/07/2025 14:03

It might be worth asking at the hotel if they have any parasols/beach chairs as guests often buy them and leave them behind. I always ask and have always gotten a parasol and usually a few inflatables too....

hugosprtz · 21/07/2025 13:59

Weight 3.85kg.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3342521
They could easily fit in a suitcase

hugosprtz · 21/07/2025 13:53

Darragon · 21/07/2025 13:40

What an absolute waste of crap being used for a week or two then going to landfill. Everyone doing this instead of lying on a bloody towel like a normal person should be ashamed of themselves! YABVVVVU.

Calm down!

exLtEveDallas · 21/07/2025 13:51

I can't cope sitting or lying down without back support (injury) so we had these at our caravan for using on the beach, they worked really well.

DD preferred one of the blow up sausage things- they are really lightweight but only good for lying down.

AIBU To Consider Portable sunbeds
WindyRoses · 21/07/2025 13:41

verycloakanddaggers · 21/07/2025 06:26

What's the worry about 'looking like a cheapskate'?

This? Why do you care what randoms on the beach you'll never go to again think?

Darragon · 21/07/2025 13:40

What an absolute waste of crap being used for a week or two then going to landfill. Everyone doing this instead of lying on a bloody towel like a normal person should be ashamed of themselves! YABVVVVU.

Ohnobackagain · 21/07/2025 13:36

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 21/07/2025 06:17

amzn.eu/d/24n9kgV

If you go for the blue stripe you can get 2 for £22.99 @chambawamba

Slightlysimi · 21/07/2025 12:29

Yeah, buy one. Some decent options there. There will be loads of people just lying on towels, but I would personally prefer something more comfortable.

That said, I'd never be spending an entire two week holiday just lying on the beach every day. Is that really what you'll be doing every day for two weeks?

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