Things to know before booking an accomodation in Italy other than a hotel

In Italy you can find many type of accomodations other than the classic hotels or resorts. But what do this type of accomodation offer and what is the difference with a hotel room?

In most cases, these are small accomodations which do not offer many type of service like a hotel, this is the main difference.

Case vacanza (vacation homes) or apartments

This type of accomodation includes a fully furnished home where you will be the only guest (not shared with anyone), with private bathroom and kitchen. It can be offered by a single private host or a tourist agency.

What is included?

Usually bed linen and towels are included in the price and final cleaning not, it will be charged apart, but this can vary because there is no obligation to offer a price that includes everything. Check carefully your final price before booking.

What is never included?

Breakfast and other meals, and additional cleaning, are never included an can not be offered.

Affittacamere (room rental)

Affittacamere can be like a small hotel with a few rooms (usuallly up to 6/8 rooms) but with no common areas and services like a reception or a restaurant.

This type if accomodation is room only, it can be offered in a private house and by a private host or in a building where there can be other guests but not the host himself.

Bathrooms can be private or shared, sometimes it can be a shared kitchen too.

What is included?

Bed linen, towels and cleaning are always complimentary, no one can charge you with additional costs for these services.

What can be offered at additional cost?

Breakfast or other meals can be offered at additional cost, usually in a nearby bar o restaurant.

Bed and breakfast

Bed and breakfast is very well known type of accomodation, and it is very common in Italy.

It is similar to Affittacamere with the big difference of breakfast which is always included.

What is included?

Bed linen, towels, cleaning and breakfast are included in the price. But please pay attention to what kind of breakfast is included, it can be self service, with a prepacked meal wich includes cookies, coffee, tea etc, or it can be a fully fresh breakfast served in a dining room. Always ask before booking what type of breakfast is served.

Agriturismo

Agriturismo is an accomodation type located in a rural setting in nature, within a farm.

Accomodation offered can be single rooms or apartments. Usually breakfast is offered and sometimes there are shared areas too which can include a pool, a restaurant or a children playground.

It’s common to taste fresh local products and interact with farm animals on the farm.

Main difference between vacation homes rentals and room rentals

Room rentals as Affittacamere, Bed and Breakfast and Agriturismo are classified form 1 to 3 “suns” (or whatsoever depending on the italian region), similar to the stars for hotel rooms. These type of accomodation can offer the room plus services, like meals, cleaning etc.

The higher the rating, the more services offered (such as daily cleaning) and the higher the price.

Vacation homes and apartments instead do not have any official classification and can not offer additional services.

And finally remember…

• Checkin must always be in presence in Italy, remote checkin is no more allowed starting from 2025
• You have always to show a personal ID document or passport at checkin, in any type of accomodation. Other type of documents like driver’s licence are accepted only if you are an italian citizen.