My top choice in sun loungers
Sun loungers are a deceptively hard buy.
Because the minute you start looking, most of them fall into two categories:
generic and forgettable
stunning, but priced to take out your whole renovation budget in one go.
And because this is for Hyams, it has to do both jobs. It needs to look seriously good next to the hot tub, and it needs to survive guest life.
Guest life means sunscreen hands, wet towels, salty air, and someone inevitably dragging it two metres to “catch the sun” instead of lifting it like a normal person.
So yes, I have been deep in the lounger spiral.
My current top pick: HAY Palissade Cord Chaise Lounge in iron red
This is the one I keep coming back to.
The shape feels clean and designed, but still relaxed. And the colour, that iron red, is what’s really getting me. It would tie in with my tiles and make the whole outdoor space feel cohesive, like it was planned from the start.
Not “hot tub here… random loungers there.”
Why I love it
The colour has personality, but still feels grown up.
It will look incredible in photos next to the hot tub.
It feels like a design decision, not just outdoor seating.
It has that sturdy, built-to-last vibe that matters when guests are using it day after day.
Basically, it’s the rare lounger that looks stylish without feeling precious.
What I actually need from a lounger at a holiday rental
I’m absolutely buying for the photos. I’m a photographer. Every corner needs to feel intentional and camera-ready. Colours need to pop, styling needs to flow, and the whole outdoor zone has to look like a moment, because every single moment is an opportunity to attract new guests through the door.
But, it also has to survive real guest use. If it looks incredible but wobbles, stains, or breaks the minute it gets a bit of life on it, it’s a no.
My non negotiables
It has to look intentional, not generic. The kind of piece that makes the whole space feel styled, not just furnished.
It has to feel solid and sturdy. No flimsy frames, no rattles, no “be careful when you sit down” energy.
It needs to handle coastal conditions. Salt air, sun, wind, wet swimmers, sunscreen, the lot.
Cushions need to be easy to live with. Ideally removable covers, but at the very least something that cleans well and doesn’t look tired fast.
It has to suit the hot tub zone. That’s the hero spot, the money shot, the thing everyone photographs. The lounger has to lift it, not dilute it.
Pretty, but not precious.
The other serious contenders:
Aurora Sun Lounger – Cream
This one is very “soft luxury.” Clean, simple, and it would photograph beautifully without stealing the whole scene. Also love that it’s “Exclusively Designed by P&R Styling”, which instantly gives it that curated, not-mass-produced feel.
Catania Sun Lounge by Larkwood
I had to add this one, because I fell in love with their French Modernist Armchair last year. So when I realised they also do outdoor furniture, I obviously had to go and look, and yep, their sun lounger is just as beautiful.
If you want a timber option, this would be right at the top of my list. It looks seriously stylish and the quality sounds next level.
It’s made with A-Grade teak, premium outdoor fabric, marine grade stainless, and quick-drying outdoor foam.
It would be 100% worth the price tag, but I’ll be honest, it’s one of those pieces that makes me pause when it’s for accommodation. At $2,699 each, it’s easier to justify if it’s your own home, where you know it’ll be cared for, rather than guest life.
Business & Pleasure Co.
I love everything they do. Total fan girl. Their whole range is so well designed and honestly, if I was styling my own forever backyard, I’d happily go all in.
For a holiday rental though, I have to do the boring practical maths. At around $3k for one lounger, it’s a serious investment, and guest life is guest life. The cushions are stunning, but I know with wet towels, sunscreen, salty air and constant use, they’re the part that will show wear first. It’s not a reflection on the quality, it’s just the reality of high turnover spaces.
Still, if you want that elevated beach club look, they absolutely nail it, and they make every space look photo worthy.
Zephyr Home (This was my second choice)
They have options with a similar elevated vibe for a more realistic price point for guest use. They look the part, but you won’t feel personally offended if something gets scuffed.
The Zanzibar Sun Lounge was a close contender for me, to the point where I actually purchased it first. In the end though, the HAY sun lounger won, simply because the colour tied in so perfectly with the outdoor tiles I chose. That one detail made the whole space feel more cohesive, and for me, that’s always the deciding factor.
But the reason I was so drawn to the Zanzibar Sun Lounge was simple. No cushions to babysit. It’s sleek, minimal, has that gorgeous wave shape, and it just feels like it will wear better with guest use than anything with a cushion and cover.
