The Italian Supreme Court ruled that hotels and restaurants are not legally required to provide tap water to guests free of charge.
The decision settles a dispute over consumer rights and hospitality standards in Italy. It establishes a legal precedent that allows luxury establishments to restrict water service to paid bottled options without violating national law.
The case originated from an incident during Christmas 2019 [3]. A guest at the Sassongher, a five-star hotel located in Corvara in Badia in northeast Italy, sought tap water during a dinner service. The hotel refused the request and instead offered bottled water priced at €7 per bottle [2].
The guest had paid approximately €5,700 for the stay [1]. This high cost of accommodation formed the basis of the argument that basic amenities, such as drinking water, should be included in the service provided by a luxury establishment.
Following the refusal, the matter progressed through the legal system to the Italian Supreme Court. The court determined that no existing law obliges hotels or restaurants to serve tap water to their patrons. The ruling confirms that the sale of bottled water as the sole option at the table is permissible under current Italian regulations.
The Sassongher hotel is situated in a region known for high-end tourism. The ruling ensures that such establishments maintain control over their beverage service and pricing structures, regardless of the room rate paid by the guest.
“The Italian Supreme Court ruled that hotels and restaurants are not legally required to provide tap water to guests free of charge.”
This ruling clarifies the boundary between luxury service expectations and legal requirements in Italy. By siding with the hotel, the court has affirmed that the 'five-star' designation does not mandate the provision of free basic utilities if they are not required by law, effectively protecting the profit margins of the hospitality industry against consumer-led mandates for free tap water.
