Do Italian hotels tpyically supply those little bottles of shampoo, etc. that you normally get in US hotels?

Not typically.

Also bring your own washcloth if you use one.

Typically - probably along the lines of "you get what you pay for" and where in Italy (large city or small town). 1star places may or not, 2stars more likely, and 3stars probably, 4stars and up most definitely. I've also stayed in B&Bs that do.

If you can be more specific, maybe someone can answer as to your hotel choices.

Last summer, I stayed at one Roman hotel that had shampoo in pump container in the shower. They provided very lousy bar soap, also. Another hotel gave me shampoo in a little bottle, and some bar soap. I would say that you will probably be given shampoo, but not necessarily conditioner, as long as you stay in 3 stars or higher. I found the shampoo to be fine, but missed my shower gel. Usually I go toiletry shopping when I reach my destination, so I am not carrying around big containers of anything.

PS, I actually received nice heavy wash cloths in both my hotels in Rome, but I know that is not usually the case in most places around Europe.

Hi amp,

Are you sure that those weren't the towels?

We found it to be feast or famine. I travel a lot in the US so I usually have a ton at home from those trips and always tuck a couple bottles in to our luggage just not to get stuck without. Of course, it's fun to shop for necessities overseas --

Ira -

I agree on the towels. I love those places where you get a single bath sheet large enough to cover a small village plus what appears to be an oversized dish cloth. (I've never figured out what to do with the latter.)

A mixed bag!
Yes--Rome, Florence, Venice, Positano, Milan
No--Tuscany, Assisi
Don't remember--Bellagio, Bologna

Beware of unmarked bottles. In one hotel I found a small bottle which looked like shampoo next to the soap, but it didn't have anything but an obscure name. I used it and found it must have been hand cream or some lotion. I thought I'd never get it out of my hair.

The "oversized dish towel" might have been the towel for the bidet.

This was Italy - no bidet. I think it was meant as a hand towel - but it had zero absrbency.

Honestly people, at the Hotel Della Torre Argentina, they have awesome towels! Linen hand towels PLUS beefy ones for the shower. I bring one of those mesh scrubbies with me when I go to Europe. They are a good alternative to packing washcloths.