Packing one item in your luggage on your next holiday could help make lounging by the pool even better. Escaping the dreary British weather and jetting off somewhere warm is something many of us can’t wait to do as soon as we get some time off work, or when the kids are off school. We Brits love heading to countries like Spain, Greece, and Turkey for relatively cheap all-inclusive holidays where we can soak up the sun by the pool and let our troubles melt away.

But if you’re planning a getaway this summer, one woman on social media has said you shouldn’t even think about travelling without packing one very important item that could make those days by the pool even more enjoyable – especially if you’re booking to stay at an all-inclusive resort. In a video on TikTok, Josie Mills filmed herself with a tray of cocktails in small plastic cups that she had picked up from the bar on her all-inclusive holiday.

Normally, you’d have to keep getting up to get a new drink, or risk them going warm in the heat if you get multiple drinks at once – but Josie has a hack that can save your energy and keep your drinks cold. All you have to do is make sure you’ve packed a Stanley cup or other insulated drinking cup. These will keep your drinks ice cold for hours and can hold much more liquid than the small cups the hotel gives you.

She wrote alongside her video: “This is your sign to pack your Stanley so your all-inclusive drinks stay ice cold all day and saves you going to the bar every five minutes.”

Commenters on Josie’s video who had taken their insulated cups on holiday with them agreed that the hack was definitely a good idea, as it can be a “godsend” in hot weather, even if you choose to fill it with cold water instead of cocktails. Many said they had even taken their cups directly to the bar and asked them to be filled.

One person said: “Just take your cup to them, they’ll mix the cocktail straight in there for you. Saves faffing with the little cups!”

Another added: “I do this every time. Save the plastic and just give them your cup, they’re happy to do it.” A third said: “We did this and it was a godsend in high 30 heat.”

While Josie’s tip was designed for people staying at all-inclusive resorts who get their drinks at no extra cost, you can do this at most hotels – but it will be more expensive. You can also fill your cup with water if you know you’re going to be lounging by the pool for some time, as this will help keep you hydrated in the heat.

How to stay safe in the sun on holiday

If you’re planning on lounging by the pool in the sun on your holiday, you should make sure you’re practising proper sun safety. This includes wearing sunscreen and making sure you’re properly covered during the hottest parts of the day.

According to the NHS, you should make sure you:

• Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
• Never burn
• Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
• Take extra care with children
• Keep babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight
• Use at least factor 30 sunscreen – make sure to use enough and reapply frequently

For more detailed information on staying safe in the sun, visit the NHS website.