Trattoria Gianni

We stayed at Gianni Franzi's last October for 85 euros a night but don't know if they raised prices for this year. Just so you know, they don't speak English much at all so maybe that's why they haven't answered your email. If you get a double with a view just also know that there are a LOT of steps involved. If memory serves correct it was around 150 steps up to our room, the last 40 or so on steps winding around a rope center, but the views are FANTASTIC and there's a little private garden overlooking the Ligurian sea. I'd stay there again but remember about the stairs if you don't want to walk up and down that much every time you need to go back to your room to get something you forgot...

Rick has an agreement with ALL the residences he has in his books. IF they fail to honor the quoted prices, they are removed.
I'd recommend an email to giannifranzi.it and an carbon copy to rick's office- simply stating that per Rick's book, they agree to honor the rate quoted in his guidebook if you book directly with them. As Rick says, "help me enforce honest business practices by reporting any hotel that charges more than the listed rates in 2008 to those that book direct." The cc might get their attention.

You might check around for a friend/neighbor/associate who can write in Italian and have them translate your letter so the issues is clear to the hotel.

I went back to check my book and I don't see anything about the accommodation prices that are quoted being firm and it has not been my experience that the hotel prices exactly match what is in the RS guide books. Did I miss something in the book? Sometimes I've seen things like "show this book for a discount" and for those things, I do expect that Rick Steves has come to agreement on the discount.

I would expect them to give you a 10% discount off the price of $100 Euro if you pay cash. Regardless of whether or not you stay there, you should probably post a message under the Guidebook corrections noting that you were quoted a different price.

I think a 10% discount for cash is uncommonly high. It's been my experience that 5% is more common, if they even offer one (which they really should, since they're saving on the credit card fee).

I agree with Michael that a 10% discount for cash is not typical, but I'm assuming that since the RS book states "10% discount with cash and this book" it was a deal the RS had worked out for this particular place for his readers.

The message I delivered was a quote from Italy 2008. It is not listed under the initial "hotel or agriturismo" section, but later in the book. Either contact Gianni, and call them on it, or book alternate accomodations. But if you choose to book alternate accomodations, please let Rick's people know, because they may yank the listing for 2009 if Gianni does not honor the agreement.

I can't speak regarding the newly quoted prices.. But I did stay at this hotel last September. When I paid I just showed them my Rick Steve's book and said 'I would like to pay cash and get the discount'; and they gave it to me. Indeed, it was 10 percent, and it was no problem. Good luck!

Please don't expect that you can just wave the RS book and expect the establishment to honor the price "or be removed from the book."

Hotel costs change, currencies fluctuate and seasons affect prices.

If I'm not mistaken, you're complaining about a 5 Euro a night difference. The hotel's quote is 100 Euros minus 10 percent for cash, equaling 90 Euros. RS says its 85 Euros with cash and the book.

Try looking somewhere else if you like but, frankly, you're fortunate to be working with a credible establishment that is responding to you over the Web. Pushing the point over 5 Euros risks creating ill will for you, the hotel and Rick Steves. What's the point?

Thanks for the replies! Gianni Franzi just replied with a simple 'no availability' so I will move on to the next best but will think twice about worrying about a few euros considering that the RS has good recommendations especially for people like us that will be traveling there for the first time. Grazie everybody!

Doug, you might be interested in the following:

"To keep my readers from being overcharged, I've established a 'New Ethic' (Nuova Etica) which means that the accommodations I recommend in the Cinque Terre will charge no more in 2008 than the prices listed in this book. Each place understands that if they exceed this agreed-upon price, my readers will let me know, and they will lose their place in next year's edition of the book.

Please help me enforce this practice. Email me at rick@ricsteves.com if someone overcharges you."

From page 299 of Rick's Italy 2008 guidebook.

Based on Mike of LA's last post, someone with direct knowledge of the facts (Diego?) should report this property to Rick (but check the e-mail address for Rick given in Mike's post, it might have a typo in it).

Mike, thanks for the correction. I did not know Rick made such a definite commitment in the 2008 book. Since he almost singlehandedly established the tourist industry in the Cinque Terre, I guess he can be the sheriff.

So I apologize to Diego. But I have witnessed too many arguments by guidebook-waving tourists insisting that a price should be the same as in the book. And for a good place in the CT, it seemed to me that the Gianni was close enough. And, in the end, they have no vacancy...

I think Trattoria Gianni should have their feet held to the fire. In the 2007 book their rate was 78 Euros for the Db which shows that they had already raised the rate when they committed to Rick at 85 Euros.. Why suddenly 100 Euros? Look through the listings in Rick's 2008 book and you will see that many of the locations went up 20 Euros from 2007 and are now at 100 Euros. They are taking advantage of the popularity that Rick created for them. It is my understanding that it was a lack of commitment to Rick that led to his pulling many of his tours out of Vernazza in favor of Monterosso and Levanto. It seems convenient that they suddenly don't have any rooms. This should be brought to Rick's attention so he can drop them in the future!

I just have to say I stayed here in May 06, and loved it. They were very honest and gave me the rate in Rick's book and I didn't even have to ask for the discount they just gave it to me without even asking! The place is very nice, lots of steps but they offer a great deal as the view is worth double what they charge. Do keep in mind peak season is coming up, and they very well could be fully booked.

I'll simply say this: when Rick Steves includes a pensione in his guidebook, his endorsement literally guarantees a full house for the owner. We (the stevenicks) will call those places FIRST. Rick and his people are forthright in establishing that the prices are FIRM for his customers.
But no place will automatically give you the 10% off up front- you have to flash the guide book and ask for it- when you pay the bill.
And now with Gianni saying "completo", well, that may be true, but it may be that he doesn't want to adhere to the agreement. Best to let ETBD know, and they can deal with it.

After reading the many comments, I thought it might be helpful to add one. On 4/15 I emailed for a 3 night reservation stating in the request that I found the listing in RS Italy 2008 guide. Simona promptly replied that she had no vacancies for my dates. The next day, I sent another request but this time going through the Italian Tourist Office and received back a confirmation for the 3 nights at 100 euros/night with a 10% discount for cash. Looks like Simona is trying to avoid RS readers.

This is something we encountered last year when making reservations...it is clear that the CT is using their new found popularity. I suggest an alternative to the CT. We stayed in both Santa Margherita Ligure and Sestri Leventi (just north of the CT and found both towns to be exceptional values with good access to the beaches and lots of sites to see. If you want a great walk (not as good as the Via Del Amore) try the path from Santa Margherita to Portofino...spend the afternoon/everning there and catch a ferry back to SM.

I just made a reservation with Simona and she quoted 100 E and 10% discount with cash. I didn't compare that against the charges in the book, and I didn't mention Rick Steves when I made the reservation. I wonder if I should try somewhere else? La Mala wasn't available the nights we will be there. Any suggestions for somewhere else to stay in Vernazza?

A few months ago, I was also quoted 100 Euros by Simona, with a 10% cash discount. I, too, never mentioned the book.

We decided to splurge and stay at La Mala', though.