Does anyone have experience with utilizing the laundry service offered by hotels. We are planning on taking 4 outfits for a 13 day trip and using the service periodically as needed throughout the trip. We would rather not spend our days sitting at the laundromat or washing clothes in the sink, but we also don't want to pack enough clothes to last the whole 2 weeks. How much do these services usually cost and are they worth it?

The laundromat we found in Naples has an attendant who did the laundry for us. We did not have to wait for the laundry to be done. I do not know if this is generally the case in Italy.

In Italy, we have always found a drop off wash, dry, fold service at a lavanderia, priced by the kilo. Never used a hotel laundry in Italy but have in other countries. It's usually much more expensive, priced by the piece.If you're stuck, use the hotel service but I think you'll see lavanderias wherever you travelin Italy.

Do you remember approximately how much the full service lavenderias charged? We're on a budget so I'm just making sure we set aside enough for clean clothes.

We paid 5 or 6 euros for a full load of laundry.

If you are on a budget forget the hotel laundry service and follow christmpt advice. It is easy to do. You can drop everything in a bag and pick it up . NO big deal. Hotels charge by item and it can be expensive

I have had laundry done many times at wash-and-fold places in Italy and remember prices of 6-10 euros per load. This compares favorably with self-service laundries, which can easily add up to 6 or more euros when you count washing, drying and detergent. I would never use a hotel service if I could avoid it, as by-the-piece pricing feels like a ripoff to me.

I'm glad I asked. I didn't even know they had the wash-and-fold places. Sounds like a no-brainer to me! Are these places easy to find?

<i>Are these places easy to find?</i>

It all depends on the knowledge of the front desk. Our B&B in Naples referred us to their laundry service but it does only sheets and towels, and it referred us to the wash-and-fold place.

We either saw them or asked someone who worked at the hotel where to find them.

I always wash my clothes myself. I don't trust the commercial places to read the labels and wash the clothes appropriately, use cool water, tumble dry low, remove promptly, etc. A lot of my clothes would be wrecked by washing and drying at high temps.

They cost a fortune even at moderate hotels. I had to have laundry done when a business trip was suddenly extended. The cost of washing a pair of panties was about the same as I paid for them (and I don't wear Hanes). I used the little shampoo bottle to wash bras and hose. The cost of having a a silk shirt or tee or jacket or pants cleaned was amazing - thank god the weather was cool and I could hang things up to get rid of wrinkles and wear again mixed and matched.

Either decide to wash things in a sink or take with you everything you will need - including twice as many undies as you have days.