But what are people supposed to do with their stuff while they swim? Like a PP said, I have a cover-up, phone, flip flops and refillable mugs. I am not going to cart all my stuff into the pool with me LOL! If I go for a swim/play with the kids in the pool for over an hour I expect my stuff to be there when I return.
I think if you are in the pool area, it's okay to place stuff on a table/chair while you are swimming. If you plop a bunch of stuff down at noon, leave the pool area to go have lunch, go to a park, take a nap, etc. and just want to be sure you have a spot when you meander back at 2:00? That is what I think is wrong. Problem is, how do you know if someone is physically in the pool area or not?
I think we all agree that you can't save places with just a hotel towel, it is impossible to know if someone left it behind hours ago. But personal stuff tells me they are in the pool/pool area. That's the rule I go by anyway, I am too busy on my vaca to watch and monitor somebody's personal belongings stalk their chairs and time them to see if/when they come back.