British Tourist Retaliates Against Hotel Towel Reservations With Itchy Powder in Mallorca

A British tourist vacationing at a hotel in Mallorca grew frustrated with the common practice of reserving sunbeds by placing towels early in the morning and then leaving for hours. This widespread phenomenon, often called the "towel war," has caused significant annoyance among holidaymakers, sometimes leading to violent incidents and even legal disputes.

Fed up with this trend, the tourist decided to take matters into his own hands by sprinkling an itching powder on towels left unattended by guests who reserved prime poolside spots but rarely used them. He documented the prank and shared videos online, sparking a heated debate with hundreds of thousands of views.

He explained to creatorzine.com that many travelers endure waking up at 6 a.m. just to secure a decent sunbed, but during his last holiday, he chose to seek playful revenge. Initially, he observed a woman in her late 40s who habitually reserved the same sunbeds but seldom stayed by the pool. After she returned to the pool and swapped towels nervously, he targeted another couple who repeatedly claimed the same spots.

Around 6 a.m., he applied the itching powder to one of the hotel's white towels and waited. When the man returned around 1:30 p.m., he soon began scratching his legs and then his entire body after using the treated towel to dry off. The discomfort forced him to abandon sunbathing and spend the afternoon under an umbrella.

This incident highlights the ongoing frustration with towel reservation practices at hotels, which continue to provoke tension among guests during the busy summer season.