In a landmark decision, Italy's Supreme Court has ruled that hotels are not legally obliged to serve tap water to guests. This ruling stemmed from a case involving a tourist who sued the five-star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara, located in the Dolomites, after it refused her request for tap water during meals, instead offering bottled mineral water priced at €7 (approximately $8.15). The tourist sought damages exceeding €2,700, arguing that access to water is a fundamental human right. However, the Court of Cassation upheld previous rulings from lower courts, stating that Italian law does not compel hospitality establishments to provide tap water. This decision underscores the lack of a unified European law mandating the provision of free tap water, although the EU Drinking Water Directive encourages restaurants to serve it. The ruling has sparked discussions about the accessibility of water in hospitality settings and the rights of consumers in Italy and beyond.