Italian Hotel Wins Legal Battle Over Tourist's Request for Free Water
Tourists loses fight with hotel after asking for glass of water
Mirror
Image: Mirror
A tourist's legal battle against a five-star hotel in Corvara, Italy, ended in defeat after she requested a glass of tap water and was offered a £6 bottle instead. The Italian Supreme Court ruled that hotels are not legally obligated to provide tap water, dismissing her claims for compensation.
- 01The Italian Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hotel Sassongher, stating there is no legal obligation to provide tap water.
- 02The tourist, who sought £2,300 in damages, argued that water is a universal human right.
- 03The case was rejected by multiple courts before reaching the Supreme Court, which upheld the hotel’s decision.
- 04In contrast, laws in the UK and several other EU countries require restaurants to provide free tap water.
- 05The EU is considering regulations to encourage member states to ensure free tap water is available in establishments.
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A legal dispute between a tourist and Hotel Sassongher in Corvara, Italy, concluded with the Supreme Court ruling that the hotel was not required to provide free tap water. The tourist, who had requested a glass of water in 2019, was instead offered a £6 bottle of mineral water, leading her to claim that her consumer rights were violated. The court dismissed her arguments, stating that Italian law does not mandate establishments to provide tap water. The tourist sought £2,300 in compensation for emotional and financial distress, but her claims were rejected for lack of evidence. The lawyer for the hotel emphasized that guests could access running water elsewhere in the hotel. This case contrasts with laws in the UK and other European countries, where providing free tap water is required. The EU is also moving towards regulations that could enforce similar requirements across member states, but no such law currently exists.
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The ruling may influence how hotels and restaurants in Italy and potentially across the EU handle requests for tap water.
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