Italian Supreme Court Rules Hotel Can Deny Tap Water Service

The Italian Supreme Court has ruled that a five-star hotel was within its rights to refuse a guest's request for tap water during her stay in late 2019. The guest, who had paid €5,712 for half-board accommodations, argued that access to water is a fundamental human right. However, the court determined that Italian law does not require hotels to serve tap water, siding with the hotel’s policy of only offering bottled water for around €7. This ruling, which has sparked debate in Italy, highlights cultural differences regarding water service in hospitality between the U.S. and Europe.

Key Details: • Court ruling issued in November, gaining attention recently. • Guest stayed at Hotel Sassongher from December 26, 2019, to January 3, 2020. • Guest sought €2,700 in damages for the refusal of tap water.