'Free' sun beds impending debacle?

[swedebasher]

The astynomia have been and visited the tavernas giving free sunbeds and doled out huge 'fines' of thousands of euros and instructions to remove them as far as can be ascertained. Uh oh trouble in paradise.

[gaynor]

Oh no really ? how can they do that ? You wouldn't have thought they were breaking any laws. Sounds a bit dodgy to me. !!

[Jimbo]

The owners of the non-free sunbeds probably complained that it was unfair competition. They were probably better off charging and offering a two Euro reduction on food.

[swedebasher]

More like the council trying to grab more money!! The Athina btw charges €8 for their beds and you get a€8 voucher to spend in there.
   Heard talk that some were driving over from Arillas where you pay for the beds to go on the free ones, wonder how many actually patronised the tavernas.
Sunbeds are paramount here as the sand is too wet to lay on, and they also avoid some sandblast if the Maestro is blowing well.

[gaynor]

I've just come back from 11 days at San Stef and before we knew about the free sun beds we paid 8 euros at Athina and we got a token for 2 back. Then we were told about the free beds at Waves and we did use those but made a point of buying 2 bottles of water when we got there, coffee at about 11 and then lunch. And I have to say the restaurant was full every lunch time. I just thought what a clever idea.

[tonyco1]

I checked this out. From Spiros in waves.
Waves Mistral..Manthos etc. Were charging during high season.
They paid the council the fee.. charged when busy to recoup investment.
Now quiet... back to free... just buy something there.. although not a condition.

[cornishmaid18]

During our first week when we were there in August we paid for the beds outside Waves and were given a €2 discount ticket which we used to buy ice creams. (Tricky for is to get into restaurant from beach because of disabled access) so we sorted ourselves re lunch.
At the start of the second week the beds became free and the girl who had previously sold the tickets,now became a waitress and offered to fetch drinks etc from Waves.
To be honest it made my life so much pleasanter not having to be the one to always get drinks etc that we found we spent more money in the restaurant than we had done the week before.
Result all round!...we were more than happy to pay (and tip) for the service!
Hope it's the same next year!

[gaynor]

We definitely spent more in Waves than we would have done and consequently spent more time on the beach than we normally do. As a waiter at our hotel said in theory free sunbeds gives you 8 euros in credit.

[tonyco1]

Which ever way you dress it...... it is exactly as I said above.
They no longer bring drinks to the beach and seem to have lost 1 waiter.
Waves now full every lunch time.... good for us...

[benson]

Even if I'd payed for the Beds I'd always have a Chefs salad (wonderful) and 2 bottles of Ice cold Mythos at Waves most lunchtimes.

[tonyco1]

Fresh sardines grilled waves style... Lovely

[Waspman]

Fresh sardines grilled waves style... Lovely

Yes they are lovely Tony but you're not supposed to bone them (sorry) first.

[tonyco1]

HaHa - -

[Steve B]

What happened about the free sunbeds on the beach, do you have to pay for them now?

[Jimbo]

No. Free at Waves, Mistral and Manthos. The stretch of beach from the stream to the old harbour road is apparently outside the bidding process, and they can do what they like.

We've been at Mistral most days and really like the free beds. Lunch has usually cost about 15 Euros, so take the 7.50 we would have paid for a sunbed off and it's a cheap day, and you don't feel to stay there if it gets windy etc.