ITALIA - Accommodation in Italy

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Hotels
There are about 40,000 hotels in Italy. Every hotel has rates fixed in agreement with the Provincial Tourist Board. Most hotels quote all-inclusive rates, which include taxes, service, heating or air-conditioning.

If the all-inclusive rates do not include the IVA (added-value tax), it should be added. The current IVA tax for all hotel categories is 10 %. Hotel rates are usually lower during the off-season months: November to March in main cities and towns and resort centers; April/May and September/November at ski resorts. Hotels are classified in categories: 5-Star Deluxe, 5-Star, 4-Star, 3-Star, 2-Star and 1-Star.

ENIT (Italian Government Tourist Board) Hotels Online database
www.enit.it/alberghi.asp?Lang=UK

Hotel Reservations
No hotel reservations can be made through Italian Government Travel Offices but lists of hotels for any city or area in Italy can be obtained upon request. Hotel reservations for any part of Italy can be made in the U.S. and Canada through travel agencies and hotel representatives. For a list of U.S. or Canadian representatives of Italian hotels, contact any Italian Government Travel Office. Reservations may also be made by writing directly to the hotel.

Rules On Deposit (Caparra)
According to Italian Civil Law and the regulations of IHA (International Hotel Association) and FIAVET (International Federation of Travel Agents), a hotel booking is considered valid as soon as a deposit is paid. IHA and FIAVET regulations further state that a deposit will be refunded if the reservation is cancelled at least 14 days in advance and 30 days in advance during the high season.

Pensions (Pensioni)
The term pension, which describes a small hotel, is no longer used in Italy. Pensions are now called 1*, 2* and 3* hotels.

Bed and Breakfast in Italy
A Bed & Breakfast is an officially recognized guest room in a private home. Comprehensive listings of Bed and Breakfasts, and B&B homestays can be found through any search engine on the web by typing "Bed and Breakfast" and the city or town of destination. You can ask information also to:

Federazione Italiana Bed & Breakfast www.federbb.it
Palazzo Cesarini Sforza

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 282
00186 Roma - ITALY
Tel. (06) 688 09 246 - Fax (06) 687 86 19 info@fedrbb.it

From Federazione Italiana Bed & Breakfast
To: All travel agencies, tour operators and web travel operators
Subject: Official Italian B&B search engine are now available for FREE

Over 2,000 industry approved Bed & Breakfast accommodations across Italy are now available to North American tour operators ( travel agencies, tour operators and web travel operators ).

This new free service allows operators to amplify their offer to clients and propose a pleasant alternative to North American travellers.

The Bed & Breakfast concept popular in the United States has developed successfully in Italy and now satisfies thousands of guests every day.

The reservation system is simple, confirmation is online, and web pages and client vouchers may be personalized according to operator specifications.

The service provides a reserved area for operators that guarantees professionalism and up to 20% of commission on every reservation.

FREE activation of this service includes:

    Use of the Bed & Breakfast search engine with over 2,000 quality approved accommodations located in the most popular destinations around Italy.

    Access to a rapid and secure reservation system

    Personalized client vouchers with tour operator’s logo

    Personalized website with tour operator’s graphics presenting thousands of offers, photographs, maps and descriptions of each accommodation in 5 languages

    Dedicated around the clock telephone assistance in English

    Quality assured accommodations guaranteed by the Italian Bed & Breakfast Federation

    Activation cost for this service is normally €185/$275 per year Operators registering before November 30th 2009 however will receive activation for FREE To register before 11/30/2009 and receive free access to the search engine and Italian Bed & Breakfast reservation services click here http://www.bbitalia.it/aid.asp?l=eng

Day Hotels
Day Hotels (Alberghi Diurni) offer baths, showers, barbershops, hair dressers, shoeshine, dry cleanng, telephones, baggage checking and private rooms for brief periods. Many day hotels also have travel offices and money changing bureaus. Overnight sleeping accommodations, however, are not available. Day hotels are generally found in the central areas of the cities and in the vicinity of railway stations. They are usually open from 6 am to midnight.

Accommodation in
Religious Institutions
For listing of convents, monasteries and other religious institutions offering accommodations, please contact the Arcivescovado of the Italian city concerned (for Rome, for instance, the address is: "Arcivescovado di Roma, Roma, Italia"), or write to the provincial tourist office or local tourist board. A partial list is also available through the Italian Government Tourist Boards in U.S. and Canada.

Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation in private homes are available in most cities and towns in Italy. Please contact the official tourist office of the city or town that interests you and request "un elenco di affittacamere" (list of persons renting rooms). Private homes offering accommodations are not official establishments and, as such, are not rated by the tourist office.

Accomodation | Accomodation 2