We had some problems with Albergo Bernini. We booked far in advance and they required us to mail a money order which we did. Sadly Italy's mail system is not one of the best and the MO didn't arrive. As we were leaving Florence for Siena we fortunately checked out email to find that they had given our room away (with no prior notice).
I got no apology just some blathering about how they were world famous and thousands of people were trying to get reservations LOL.
We were VERY VERY fortunate to get in at the Palazzo Brucchi which was totally delightful. It took months for me to get the money order traced and the money refunded.