Overview

• Hotels can include a ban on pool lounger reservations in their house regulations, according to Berlin travel law expert Roosbeh Karimi.
• The Hannover district court ruled that failure to enforce a hotel’s no-reservation policy constitutes a travel defect eligible for a 15% daily price reduction.
• Guests seeking compensation must secure evidence—such as photos of the pool area—and formally notify the tour operator or travel provider of the defect.
• A shortage of loungers versus guest numbers is not automatically a defect unless promotional materials specifically promised plentiful seating.
• Common enforcement practices include removing towels from unoccupied loungers after a set period, typically 30 minutes, to uphold the policy.