Staying at the hotel in Italy
• If you don’t wish to use services of a travel agency or a tour operator, keep in mind that your choice of the hotel (and it is always a personal choice and there is no Right or Wrong here) will affect your future expenses, so it is advised that you find out as much information as possible regarding the hotel: its name, number of stars and the distance from the area you are arriving to, and cancellation policy. Look for a hotel that would be situated in a desired location and would be within your price range, because, overall, it will have a major impact on your budgeting, both short-term and long-term. The rooms in hotels, especially in 3-star hotels, are quite small, and for a family with 1 or 2 children it might be too crowded. Check it prior to making reservations to avoid any disappointment later.
• Breakfasts usually include cereal, croissants, jam and tea/coffee. Breakfast buffets with hot meals are a rare service in Italy.
• It is prohibited to take hotel towels to the beach or use an iron in the hotel room.
• Laundry room and dry-cleaning services are not free; it generally takes 24 hours. Or you can use a public laundry facility in the city. The cost of services starts at 6 Euro, and the final cost depends on the amount of work that has been performed. Advantage: a 3-hourturnaround time.
• The hotel administration is not responsible for valuable items, money and documents left in the room. It is recommended that you keep it in the safe box or, if there is no safe box in the room, hand your valuable items to the receptionist for storage in the hotel’s safe box.
• If you happen to lose the key to the safe box, you will be responsible for paying a substantial fine.
• It is advised that you pay for any additional services the evening before the departure, so that you can check the total bill for accuracy.
• If you accidentally damaged hotel’s property, be prepared to pay a fine. The amount of the fine is set by the hotel’s owner. Umbrellas and chaise-longues by the pool are free.
• If you have already checked out but you have time before the flight, you can temporarily place your luggage in the office of the administration or in the luggage room.
• You may request a classic or a plastic room key. If you choose a classic key, you must return it to the reception every time you leave the hotel.
• In many hotels the remote control for the TV can be obtained from the reception at your request.
• You must return it upon departure, or pay a fine if you lose it.
• Air conditioning and mini refrigerator/minibar in many hotels (especially 3-star hotels) are provided at additional cost; air conditioning - 5 Euro a day, minibar – 3 Euro a day.
