Last year in both Prague and Menaggio, we were "bumped"/"walked" to a different hotel due to either "overbooking" in the case in Prague and in Menaggio, IT due to "some kind of health emergency where the occupants could not vacate the room. In both instances they booked us in a room at another hotel. I know my rights in the USA that they must provide an equal to superior room for the same price, but I have no idea what rules, if any, are in effect in Italy. We are leaving in a few days for a four city, 3 week stay and although I have confirmed reservations, I am concerned. Does anyone know the rules and regulations with hotels in Europe and Italy in particular for our upcoming trip? Thanks for any advice.
Posted by
Freedonia
16284 posts
In the U.S., there actually isn't a law that covers being walked. If you are walked, and the hotel doesn't help you find suitable accommodation, your only recourse is to sue. It comes under contract law, not criminal law. 99.99% of hotels will want to avoid this and help you find accommodations--mostly because you'll win the case. Many hotel chains have strict policies about finding you a better room. (There are federal laws covering airline bumping, and most people assume the same is true for accommodations.)
I have never heard of such a law anywhere overseas.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Actually Jan, several states in the US have laws about overbooking and walking, but there is no specific national law (it falls mostly under civil fraud, and breach of contract as mentioned). In Florida for example though, the law gives something like a $500 fine the hotel has to pay to you. Generally, the hotels lose in court - unlike the airlines, whose ability to overbook is covered, and regulated.
If you're really worried, I'd book with one of the big travel sites: Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, and prepay if you can. Let THEM do all the work for finding you another place to stay. Not only does this take it off your shoulders, but most of them are open 24/7 to help. - Especially if you prepay with them directly, then they become liable for the sale as the direct seller of travel (rather than acting as the travel "agent" like normal.).
No idea on Italian law in specific, but it's best to call and confirm SEVERAL times, and arrive early, OR let the hotel know if you have a late check in. I usually call 3 days out, and day of.
Hope you have a great trip! Being bumped like that is pretty rare. Sounds like you just had some bad luck! All the best! Chris
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
In all my travels to Italy I have never been bumped. I'm sure it has happened to travelers to the Boot as it happens from time to time everywhere. Call/e-mail your hotels before to confirm your reservations so you know if there will be a problem in advance.
Posted by
Anna Texas, USA
144 posts
We got "bumped" in Florence last summer and were extremely lucky. We were taken to a new condo-like facility that overlooked a big square that had a carrousel in it. It had a huge room and bathroom and was a lot better than what we would have had. I think it is fairly common, and the Italians seem to want to accommodate their guests. We had booked through Venere and this may have helped. I believe they do have some kind of law, but when you are in a foreign country for a short period of time, you really don't want to waste your time trying to make a complaint. You just deal with it. I always try to have a plan "B" where I have another place picked out I could go to. It may be a large hotel chain that would cost more. That is just what I do.