Rome Hotels Information

Hotel Prices
Prices are set by the state, and hotels are supposed to display the official rate on the door of each room. VAT is usually included. Hotels in Rome generally have low and hight season rates, so it is often worth bargaining as you will inevitably be quoted the official rate, even in the winter months before and after Chritmas , when competition is less strong. Discounts for long-stay visitors and groups are often negotiable.

Hidden Extras
Even if the prices of your room includes service, you are often still expected to give a tip for room service or for bellboys. Hotels will often add hefty surcharges to international calls, and may charge extra for parking. The cost of drinks in minibars can be hight - you can buy a cheaper supply from local shops.

Facilities
Hotel standards have improved of late - you can expect air conditioning and some bathrooms with hair dryers in middle-range establishments and direct-dial phones in middle to lower price rooms, although budget travellers staying in cheaper hotels shouldn't expect much more than a clean room. Because most hotels occupy historic buildings room size can vary drammatically even within the same establishment, so don't be afraid to see your room before you check in. Top class hotels will usually have some soundproofing; otherwise noise levels can be dreadful, in which case ask for a room facing away from the road.

Checking in and out
Italian Hoteliers are legally obliged to register you with the police, which is the reason they always ask for your passport. Every in Italy is supposed to carry with them some sort of identification. To speed up the checking out process, mention in advance if you intended to pay by credit card.

Disabled Travellers
Provision for disabled travellers is very poor. Small hotels that occupy parts of building sometimes only start their rooms up several flights of stairs, whereas certain establishments can accommodate disabled guests on the ground floor or only have a couple of rooms which are appropriate. Ramps, wide doorways and bathrooms handrails are rare.

The Charter of Tourist Rights

EU and national regulations and international conventions

• Agencies and Tour Operators
• Changes in price
• Changes to contractual terms
• Cancellations before departure
• Departure delays
• Tourists abandoned in distant countries
• Inconveniences experienced at the destination
• The intrinsic damage of a “ruined holiday”
• Insurance
• “Roulette” formula
• Online buying
• Bookings and tariffs
• EU regulation No. 2004/261/EC, dated 11/2/2004 (in the EU Official Gazette dated 17/2/2004, in effect since 17/2/2005)
• Overbooking and denied embarking
• Cancelled flights
• Delays in departure
• Baggage
• Lost baggage
• Damages to passengers
• Booking and concluding the contract
• Liability for breach of contract
• Hotel owner’s obligations
• Customer’s obligations
• Duties regarding protection
• Responsibilities of the Hotel owner regarding property brought into the hotel
• Responsibilities of the Hotel owner regarding property handed over for safekeeping
• Vehicles
• Extension to areas other than the hotel
• Consumer Code and timeshare market
• Right of withdrawal
• Down payments and security deposits
• Guarantees from the seller
• Purchase with financing
• Void clauses
• Pets abroad
• Health information
• Pets in cars
• Pets on planes
• Pets on trains
• Pets on boats and ferries
• Pets in taxis and on public transport

The Charter of Tourist Rights