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There are plenty of hotels to choose from in Italy, ranging from well-known chain hotels to smaller independent family run hotels.
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Hotels in Italy are star rated starting from the one star hotels (low budget) up to the 5 stars (luxury hotels). The hotels in Italy are a bit expensive compared to other places in Europe; this is especially true for the higher rated hotels, but just because a hotel is 1- or 2-star rated it does not necessarily mean it will be sub-standard. Often, these are smaller, family-run hotels with lots of character, central locations and friendly owners eager to be your host. What they might lack in facilities could be anything from a big American-style breakfast, a big reception area, an elevator to the upper floors, or air conditioning. They can be a great bargain, so if one of these hotels look promising, do not be afraid to check it out.
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In most 3 to 5 star rated hotels in Italy you can expect private rooms with private bathrooms, although both will often be smaller than rooms at a similar price in some other cities. The reason for this is that many hotels occupy old buildings that don’t allow for expansion. If you want big international-style rooms, you’ll probably need to seek out 4- and 5-star hotels away from historic centers and in newer buildings.
It's common for hotels to offer only breakfast; many do not have a restaurant, but there are sure to be restaurants close at hand, so this is hardly a drawback in a country where there are excellent restaurants on nearly every street to explore. And about that breakfast: in Italy this is typically a cappuccino and a croissant. With their relaxed approach to consumer requirements, many Italian hotels offer little more than a few dry biscuits, a croissant and a hot drink. Some better establishments may offer a buffet with fruit, cereals, cheese and cold ham.
The Italian word for hotel is “albergo”, but for 1-3 star hotels the word “pensione” is often used instead. With a “pensione” you can expect the same things that you would expect from a hotel, although you might find shared bathrooms. A “locanda” can be most closely be translated into English as “inn,” the distinction between a locanda, a pensione, and an albergo can be quite unclear.
Generally speaking, the word “locanda” – much like the word “pensione” – is traditionally associated with smaller, less expensive, more family-run places. Unlike with “pensione,” however, more of those traditional associations have held up over time. Locanda are typically a bit less expensive than their similar counterparts, but you may also be faced with even smaller rooms and no private bathroom options. For budget travelers, this is definitely an option to consider.
Hostels are a great way to save money when you travel, especially in an expensive country like Italy. In Italian, the word for hostel is “ostello”, but it is actually not as commonly used as “hotel.” If you find a hotel with exceptionally low prices, it might actually be a hostel, just calling itself a hotel, or budget hotel, or sometimes even guesthouse. Hostels can vary from almost B&B-like atmospheres to clinical-feeling dorms with 10-20 beds apiece. Both have their merits, you just need to know what you want when you’re booking so you’re not surprised or disappointed by what you get. Because hostels mainly appeal to young and budget travelers, they’re not always in the best, so if location is important to you, be very sure you know where the hostel is that you’re considering before you book.
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