Just to prove that there's nothing new under the sun, following the announcement by one of the UK's larger tour operators (on Monday 29 January) that (some) sunbeds will now be bookable ahead of their clients' holidays, it's good to know that for some years the Ifa Faro hotel in Gran Canaria has had a system whereby all sunbeds are automatically allocated to guests for the entire duration of their stay.

The system operates just like a dining table plan; the first time that guests visit the swimming pool the pool attendant shows them to the sunbeds which have been allocated for them.  If the location is not to their liking the attendant reassigns another one (if not already assigned) or, if assigned, will let the clients know when their preferred location becomes available.

Classic Collection Holidays (0800 047 1064; classic-collection.co.uk) offers 7 nights at Ifa Faro, Maspalomas. Gran Canaria from £889 per person, based on 2 sharing on a bed & breakfast basis, and includes return flights from the UK and private transfers. And guaranteed sunbeds.