Planning Your Trip > Accommodation in Italy

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.

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.

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.

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.

Day Hotels
Day Hotels (Alberghi Diurni) offer baths, showers, barbershops, hair dressers, shoeshine, dry cleaning, 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.

Camping
Camping is very popular in Italy and over 1,700 official camping sites are now in full operation. Nominal fees are charged per person on a daily basis. Local tourist boards and provincial tourist offices in Italy can be consulted for suggestions on the most suitable camping sites in their vicinities.