Italians rebel against extra hotel charges

| Fri, 09/03/2010 - 06:08

A poll conducted by the hotels.com website has revealed that Italians are becoming more demanding with regard to the services they expect in hotels and they are not happy about paying extra for these.

ANSA reports that, of the Italians polled, 72% think that internet connection should be provided free of charge in hotels and 60% do not expect to have to pay parking fees. More than half object to being charged for bottles of water in their rooms and 57% expect to find complimentary toiletries in the bathroom.

Now 75% of Italians say they would like to find books and magazines in their hotel room and they would prefer to see the minibar stocked with healthy products such as fresh fruit and wholefood snacks instead of crisps and peanuts.

Almost three quarters of the Italians polled said that they think that charges for items from the minibar are exorbitant and that they would not hesitate to bring in snacks and drinks purchased from outside the hotel and store them in the minibar.

Several interviewees said they had found strange items left behind by previous occupants of their rooms in the minibar: a packet of herrings, caviar, a freshly made mojito cocktail and condoms have all been found.

What free services do you expect from a hotel?

Have you ever left anything behind or found anything strange in the minibar?

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