Assigned Pool Chairs Coming To Cancun Resorts? Not Quite!

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It’s the dream of every all-inclusive vacationer, a rumor whispered with hope in travel forums and Facebook groups: the end of the “towel game.” Imagine a world where you don’t have to set a 6 a.m. alarm to sprint down to the pool and drape a towel over a lounger, claiming your territory like a modern-day land prospector. The buzz is growing that some resorts are finally solving this age-old problem by assigning pool chairs to guests ahead of time.

It sounds like a vacation revolution. A guaranteed spot by the pool without the strategic morning dash? Sign us up!

But is this exciting new trend actually a reality for the average traveler? Here at The Cancun Sun, we did a deep dive into what’s really happening at the poolsides of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. And our findings suggest you probably shouldn’t turn off that 6 a.m. alarm just yet.

The Investigation: The Truth About the “Towel Game”

The “towel game” is, without a doubt, the number one complaint of resort travelers worldwide. The daily ritual of claiming a chair at dawn and then seeing it sit empty for hours is a massive source of frustration. So, it makes sense that any hint of a solution would spread like wildfire online, with a few travelers posting about their amazing, reserved-lounger experience.

This has led to a widespread belief that the practice is becoming the new standard across Cancun. But after looking at the policies and real-world guest experiences at dozens of resorts, we found that the reality is far more nuanced. While the dream is real for a select few, for the vast majority of travelers, the towel game is still very much in play.

The Verdict: It’s a Perk, Not a Policy

For the average guest staying in a standard room, even at a five-star resort, your pool or beach chair is still first-come, first-served. The idea of an assigned chair for every guest is an operational challenge that most large resorts have not implemented as a standard policy.

The truth is that guaranteed, assigned seating is not a new, resort-wide trend. It is an exclusive, high-end perk reserved for those who pay for it, either directly or indirectly.

So, Who Actually Gets an Assigned Chair?

If you see a “reserved” sign on a pristine row of loungers, it’s almost certainly due to one of these three scenarios:

• You’re a “Club Level” Guest: At many major resorts (like Hyatt Ziva or Secrets), booking a top-tier “Club Level” or “Preferred” room comes with exclusive access to a private pool or a roped-off section of the main pool. In these areas, there are enough chairs for the limited number of club guests, and butlers are often on hand to secure your spot for you.

• You’ve Paid to Play (The Cabana Rental): The most common way to guarantee your spot is to rent a plush cabana or daybed for the day. As we’ve reported before, this is a booming business, with prices ranging from $125 to over $700 per day. You’re not just getting a chair; you’re renting a piece of poolside real estate.
• You’re at an Ultra-Luxury Resort: A handful of the most exclusive, high-end boutique hotels in the region simply have a low guest-to-chair ratio. With only 50 suites and 100 loungers, there is always enough room for everyone, making the towel game completely unnecessary.

So while the rumor is exciting, the truth is a little more complicated. The poolside remains a democracy for most, where the early bird not only gets the worm but also the lounger with the best view.

Happy travels!