Holidaymakers were left shocked as they watched a ‘stampede’ unfold for prime sunbed spots at a popular five-star hotel in Crete – sparked by influencers who wanted to take selfies ‘all day’ on them.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at Akasha Beach Hotel & Spa, located in Hersonissos, which saw dozens of guests charging towards available loungers as the pool opened for the day.
The luxury hotel has become a hit on social media in recent months thanks to its modern and ‘clean’ aesthetic, providing visually appealing backdrops for photos and videos, which is a key factor for content creators.
The hotel’s multiple pools, private beach, and spa facilities also offer a range of opportunities for influencers to create engaging content and share unique experiences with their followers.
While offering luxury amenities, the hotel also provides competitive rates, with rooms going for as little as £300 per night during peak season, making it an attractive option for influencers who need to balance quality with budget.
However, a video recently taken at the Cretan hotspot shows a desperate scramble for the highly-coveted sunbeds – with most nabbed within seconds.
Isabella Bianco, 23, who opted to use the rooftop pool area during the daily commotion, said she even witnessed a fight break out after a couple removed towels from unattended beds.
Speaking to Newsflare, the Birmingham-based physiotherapist said: ‘It was pretty much like that every day.
Holidaymakers were left stunned as they watched a ‘stampede’ unfold for prime sunbed spots at a popular five-star hotel in Crete – sparked by influencers who wanted to take selfies ‘all day’ on them
The luxury hotel has become a hit on social media in recent months thanks to its modern and ‘clean’ aesthetic, providing visually appealing backdrops for photos and videos, which is a key factor for content creators
‘I’m guessing it was a hotel manager that was walking around the pool area and as soon as it hit 9am she did a hand signal and they all rushed towards the beds. “
‘It was like a stampede rush. There were quite a few of us on the rooftop pool at 9am all watching.’
Isabella suggested the hotel’s current popularity is down to viral posts on social media, as she explained: ‘I think it’s because the hotel is big on TikTok and is really aesthetically pleasing with the water beds.
‘I think that hotel is really big with influencers. Some of the TripAdvisor reviews I read said “it was a lovely hotel but I can’t put up with the people there.” People were rushing for those beds by the pool just to sit and take photos on them all day.’
The physiotherapist also recalled an altercation between two female guests who had rowed over the removal of towels.
She said: ‘When the couple came back from lunch it kicked off. One of the women had her sunglasses smacked off her face. People were jumping in to separate it.’
Though most reviews on TripAdvisor sing the hotel’s praises, with many leaving four and five stars, a number of guests have complained of the presence of influencers and a ‘dissatisfying’ sunbed policy.
One person wrote: ‘There are 4 pools with very few beds so people are queueing from 7am to get a bed, they put their things on the beds and then leave. Same people every day getting the beds so there is nowhere to chill out in the day time.
The hotel’s multiple pools, private beach, and spa facilities also offer a range of opportunities for influencers to create engaging content and share unique experiences with their followers
While offering luxury amenities, the hotel also provides competitive rates, with rooms going for as little as £300 per night during peak season, making it an attractive option for influencers who need to balance quality with budget
Though most reviews on TripAdvisor sing the hotel’s praises, with many leaving four and five stars, a number of guests have complained of the presence of influencers and a ‘dissatisfying’ sunbed policy
Another said: ‘This hotel aesthetically is lovely, however extremely dissatisfied with the sunbed policy. People queuing for beds n leaving towels to go back to bed anyway.’
A third warned: ‘It was only May and there were already influencers everywhere, pretending to use the beach and swim in the sea, pretending to be having a good time everywhere in the hotel.
‘At one point every single person at the rooftop bar was on their phone in silence. It did provide some light entertaining as the hotel had zero atmosphere, even with live music.’
One former guest added: ‘The hotel is unreal stunning place private beach! We found our favourite place was on the roof top pool we didn’t bother trying to get a bed downstairs as all the influencers kind of ruin the vibe down there.’
