I probably shouldnt be revealing this little gem but we have just returned from the Casas Del Lago Apartments in Cala N Bosch, Menorca (Thomas Cook exclusive). Great for families.

The ratio of sundbeds per guest was brilliant. We never (and noone else as far as I know) had to reserve a sun bed during the whole two weeks we were there. It didnt matter what time you decided to hit the pool, there were always two to three beds together that were free.

It was the best holiday we have ever had and will definately be returning (hence the reason I am reluctant to advertise its existence - my own selfish reasons )

Also you might want to check out Lykia World in Olu Deniz, Turkey - has so many pools that sunbeds never seemed to be a problem. It tends to be an issue with us as we usually go diving in the morning, and by the time you get back to your hotel you stand NO chance of getting a sunbed - but never once had that problem in Lykia world

It also has brilliant facilties for kids - best clubs we have ever experienced - even our son (who hates those sorts of activities) had a blast as he signed up for sports activities like banana-boating, climbing,football, volleyball,tennis,archery etc instead. Even had a whole day kids safari with white water rafting included. Food was ace, with separate facilities for kids if needed - we were on Full board plus basis.(all meals and beer/wine with meals)

Playa Pesquero in Cuba. Largest Pool in Cuba with plenty of beds. The ones under shade go but not the others. Also has a long sandy beach with plenty of beds which they put out for you when you arrive.

How about either the El Paso, Costa Caribe or Port Aventura Hotels, near the Port Aventura Theme Park on the Costa Dorada.

Stayed in El Paso last August for a week and you could always get 4 beds anytime of day, because loads of people are in the theme park at any given time. All good family hotels.

The same can be said of Orlando Florida. You never have to get up early to get a sunbed and there are so many of them. It's worth the 8 hour flight just not to have to get up at stupid o'clock for a bed for 14 days! Also a lot of the pools stay open until 9 or 10 o'clock at night to cater for people returning back from the parks.

Wouldn't holidays be far better if all reserving of beds was banned by the hotel. I get so angry when people reserve them then go off for the day and use them for an hour or so late afternoon. The hotel we've booked for next year doesn't open it's doors to the pool area until 9am but people queue

I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago about about hotels and sunbeds and apparently she stayed at a hotel where no reserving of beds went on, you had to go to a little hut where hotel staff would supply you with towels then set them up on the sunbeds of your choice, if only all hotels did this. I can't remember the name of it or where it was, I'll try and find out

Thank you all so much for these suggestions - I will be going through them, checking for prices etc - I'm so glad it is not just me who hates this sunbed situation!!!

I know there are a few hotels on Cyprus that do a sunbed allocation system, as someone at work (who also hates the sunbed run!) has been to them.

On the first day you are allocated your sunbeds for the 2 weeks you are there by the hotel staff, I think if after the first week you want to change position you can ask.

Trouble is these are 4*/5* B&B hotels which often work out too expensive for families. One is the Alexander Beach in Pathos, and I think the other one is the Coral Bay (or might be Coral Beach?). Wish all hotels would do this.

Sunrise Beach in Protarus allocates a sunbed for each person in your party and it is yours for the duration and it's right on the beach.

The Ixian Grand, on Rhodes (in Ixia) has loads of sunbeds, especially around the quieter pool next to the garden wing. Good facilities for kids your daughter's age as well

At our hotel in Cyprus people just left their towels on the beds overnight! . There were enough to go around but it was really annoying, espcially if they never used them that day.

They were the english travellers.