Page 561 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

WHERE T O ST A Y  559

In larger hotels there is often a
considerable difference in
quality and price between
standard and more luxurious,
deluxe rooms. If you would like
a view or a terrace this is also
likely to be more expensive,
though for those who prefer
peaceful nights, it is generally
best to avoid rooms facing the
street in busy cities.
Also, beware of extra charges:
the mini-bar can be very
expensive, as can the cost of
parking, laundry or for making
telephone calls directly from
your hotel bedroom.
Romantic Hotel Villa Pagoda in Nervi, Genoa (see p568)
Prices Booking
always be air-conditioning or
24-hour room service, so it’s As a rule, hotels in Italy are not Book as soon as possible,
best to check before you book. cheap, although prices vary particu larly if you have special
Some hotels may insist on full considerably between regions. requests such as a room with
board (pensione completa) or Hotels in major cities and resorts a view, off the street or with a
half board (mezza pensione) in are likely to be more expensive. bath. August tends to be very
peak season. Most hotel rates Booking online is one way to busy at beach resorts and
include breakfast, which in many secure a better rate, as hotel February is high season at
establishments will consist of a websites may offer special mountain resorts. Peak times
large buffet, although smaller deals. Or you can save money for cities and towns depend
hotels and pensioni may offer a by booking your hotel and on their particular cultural
simple continental breakfast. flight together on most calendars (see pp70–73).
For a double room, state if travel websites. You will be asked for a
you want twin beds (letti singoli) Prices, which include tax and deposit when you book; this
or a double bed (matrimoniale). service and are quoted per can usually be paid for by credit
Bathrooms in most hotels room, start from around €60 card (even in hotels that do not
will have showers rather for a double room without a accept credit cards for final
than baths. bath room, and can rise to at payment); other wise you can
Most hotels offer Internet least €80 with a bath, even use PayPal for online transactions,
access, but it is not always free, for a very basic hotel. A single or tranfer the money via BACS
and charges will vary. If a city room will cost about two thirds from your bank account.
centre hotel does not have its of a double. Outside the big Under Italian law the hotel
own parking spaces, it may cities, €100 should get you must issue you with a receipt
have an arrangement with a something comfortable and (ricevuta fiscale) for final
nearby garage. Check the often picture s que, although payment, which you must
availability and cost of parking not particularly luxurious. keep until you leave Italy.
with the hotel prior to booking. For €210 and upwards you The Italian State Tourist Office
can expect a good range of (ENIT) has accommodation lists
facilities, a pleasant or central for every region, although this
Children location and often a hotel might not be the most up-to-
Italians love children and, with local or historic charm. date resource. Rooms can also
although most hotels may not In Rome, all campsites, B&Bs be booked via the APT (Azienda
offer special facilities for families, and hotels must add a Provinciale per il Turismo).
kids are always welcome. city tax (contributo
Some of the cheaper hotels di soggiorno) to
may not be able to provide the bill. At present,
cots. However, virtually all these rates are
hotels will be happy to put a fixed at €1 per day
small bed into a double room per person for
for families travelling together. camp sites, €2 for
The price of this is usually an establish ments up
extra 30–40 per cent of the to and including
double room rate per bed. three-star hotels,
Many large hotels also offer and €3 for four-
babysitting services. and five-star hotels. A traditional Florentine hotel interior

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