A mother has described being left 'close to tears' after witnessing chaotic scenes at a Benidorm all-inclusive resort, where holidaymakers reportedly 'swarmed like ants' to secure sunbeds. Cayleigh Tuffs, 34, paid £2,000 for a Jet2 package holiday to Magic Aqua Rock Gardens with her husband Andrew, 37, and daughter Charley, eight.
On the first day, the family arrived in the afternoon and found no sunbeds available, forcing them to sit under a water slide. 'I was nearly in tears, it was horrendous,' said Ms Tuffs, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. 'I've never wanted to cry on holiday before, but I did on that first day.'
Footage filmed by the IT manager shows crowds gathering at multiple entrances before the pool opens at 10am, then rushing across slippery floors to reserve shaded spots. 'They're like ants scurrying for food,' she said. 'We've seen people throw towels across the pool to get beds and people are running even though it's massively slippery.'
Despite a hotel rule that towels left unattended for more than 20 minutes would be removed, Ms Tuffs claimed some beds remained reserved for up to six hours without use. 'Staff have no control,' she added. 'That's really frustrating when I just want to watch my daughter play.'
Mr Tuffs queued from 9am on Thursday to secure two beds, but on previous days he had only managed one bed after queuing from 9.20am. Ms Tuffs said the experience has put her off returning to Benidorm with her family, though she has visited with friends before without such issues.
Jet2 said it has no control over sunbed policies and encourages hotels to set their own rules. Magic Costa Blanca, which operates the resort, has been contacted for comment.
