At Caesar's Palace recently, it was $200 for one "Neptune Deluxe Chair." And at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu, reserving a chaise in the "front row of the hotel's infinity pool" will cost you $125.

Many hotels have way more people than chairs, leaving travelers with a choice: Devise a predawn battle plan or spend your days wandering the pool deck. For those who choose to fight for a chair ...