Hotels and Villas: Vocabulary for Staying in Italy

As one of the most visited countries on the planet, Italy offers many options in terms of accommodations: Any cursory internet search will reveal thousands of choices ranging from a hotel—called un hotel in Italian, or generally un albergo—to una pensione (something generally smaller and cozier), una locanda, or a B&B, called in Italian un bed and breakfast.

There are also affittacamere (people who rent rooms in their homes), and of course, the infinite world of Airbnb, villa rentals all over the country, and agriturismi, which are farms that function as working farms but also places to stay. Generally, they make wine or olive oil and are out of the way, tucked in the beautiful countryside; some are rustic, but many have become the epitome of luxury, lacking for nothing and adding the views and silence to boot.

Many people in the hospitality industry in Italy speak English, and the higher-end your selection, the better the English will be. In fact, many students of Italian may be hard-pressed to put their good work to use. Nonetheless, some basic accommodations vocabulary can come in handy, no matter where you are.

Vocabulary for a Hotel or Pensione

By the way, at check-in, it’s more likely that you will be asked for your documenti than your passaporto.

Some Useful Phrases

Of course, in a luxury hotel, the service will be professional and flawless, though perhaps more impersonal, and someone will speak English well. In a smaller albergo, a pensione or a locanda, however, you will likely interact with the owners or management and you might have occasion to ask for some things in Italian. You will likely be rewarded with great charm: Just remember to always add per favore and grazie!

• Possiamo avere altri asciugamani? Can we have some more towels?
• A che ora finisce la colazione? At what time does breakfast end?
• Qual è la password per il WiFi? What is the WiFi password?
• Ho perso la chiave. I lost my key.
• Mi sono chiuso/a fuori dalla camera. I’m locked out of my room.
• La luce non funziona. The light isn’t working.
• Non c’è acqua calda. There is no hot water.
• La camera è troppo calda (or fredda). The room is too hot (or cold).
• Posso avere un'altra coperta? May I have another blanket?
• Possiamo mangiare in camera? May we eat in our room?
• Possiamo avere una bottiglia di vino in camera? May we have a bottle of wine in our room, please?
• Ci può suggerire un buon ristorante qui vicino? Can you suggest a good restaurant nearby?
• Non mi sento bene: dove posso trovare un dottore? I don't feel well: where can I find a doctor?
• Ci può svegliare alle sette per favore? Can you wake us at 7 a.m., please?
• A che ora è il check-out? At what time is check-out, please?
• Possiamo avere la ricevuta per favore? Can we have our receipt, please?
• Possiamo lasciare i bagagli fino alle 14:00? Can we leave our bags here until 2 p.m.?
• Mi/ci può chiamare un taxi per andare all’aeroporto, per favore? Can you call me/us a cab to go to the airport, please?

In case of emergency, yell out, Aiuto! Aiuto! Help!

Tip: If you are taking a rental car to a hotel in a city, make sure you ask the hotel where to park before you get there: Sometimes hotels have their own parking area, but sometimes, when they are located in areas restricted to pedestrians, you will not be allowed to drive to your hotel at all.

Apartment or House Lingo

If you are booking an apartment or a house, unless you are referred by a friend or by trusted word of mouth, it's good to go through official channels such as a rental agency. Even small towns—or at least desirable ones—will have a person in real estate rentals (and again, most everyone is on the internet now).

Generally, people who rent out villas or houses or apartments who are trusted and have been doing it for a while will give you plenty of information about who to turn to in case of need. That person may or may not speak English, so it's good to know a few basic words:

If you are traveling on a tight budget, your best option may be un'affittacamere—someone who rents rooms in their house—or, if you are a student, even a youth hostel is a possibility. Search the name of the town on the internet, or ask when you get there:

• Dove si può dormire qui economicamente? Where can one sleep here inexpensively?
• Ci sono affittacamere a poco prezzo? Are there rooms to rent inexpensively?

Buona permanenza! Have a nice stay!