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Cash up front at Hotel Antiche Mura?

I've booked four nights in Sorrento at Hotel Antiche Mura, which is recommended by Rick Steves and rates highly on travel advisor as well. So I feel pretty comfortable with it, except for one thing. I've been told that to get the Rick Steves rate I need to pay in cash (no problem there)at CHECK-IN. That bothers me, since it seems like if they stick up with a bad room or I have some other major problem I have no leverage in case we'd like to leave early.

Has anyone else experienced this? We traveled in Italy last year and stayed at 3 Rick Steves recommended hotels. Two wanted cash but none asked for the money up front.

Posted by
7209 posts

Why don't you ask to see the room before you accept and pay for it?

Posted by
15797 posts

Tim has a good idea there! I can tell you that we stayed at this hotel last fall and found it to be very well kept and comfortable. The front desk was fantastic as they helped us with some unexpected transfer issues, plus offered to have boxed breakfast ready for a VERY early checkout time. We had paid in advance, as part of a package, and had to upgrade our room due to no standards being available. That said, I'm not sure what standard rooms look like but I'm guessing it'll be fine as everything we saw was very nice place. Friendly staff, good breakfast buffet, pretty pool outdoor pool area with a bar, and close to the piazza. I'm sure they'd show you a room if asking for payment up front.

Posted by
7737 posts

Another tip is to ask to see another room after they show you the first one. Often the first one is one that they hope to pawn off on whoever they can, saving the better rooms for guests with higher standards. Seriously.