A pleasant stay in one of Italy's hotels
Italy welcomes visitors with a varied range of hotels to fit all needs and budgets - each place is characterized by unmistakable Italian hospitality and warmth.
There are thousands of hotels in Italy, more than 40,000 to be exact, without counting Bed & Breakfasts (an officially recognized guest room in a private home) and Agriturismos (farmhouse accommodations).
It's also possible to stay in convents or other religious institutions, castles, villas, youth hostels and even in trulli (a traditional Apulian stone dwelling with a conical roof).
When looking for a place to stay remember that rates include taxes and service fees; the IVA (addedvalue tax, currently 10%) should be added to the total amount.
Hotels - the star system
First thing you notice when you walk into an Italian hotel, right next to the front door, is a sign with some stars on it. These little stars are an indication of the quality of the hotel you are going to stay at. Most of the ratings, ranging from one-star to five-star, are provided by the government and are a quantitative measure used to determine the price range (and sometimes the tax obligation) of a hotel. The "star system" can be a bit confusing as different European countries, and even Italian cities, have different procedures for designating how many stars a hotel deserves. A three-star hotel in Milan can be more expensive than a five-star hotel in Assisi, for example.
|
