starrs

I do the same.
Not specifically to a hotel but in the rare occasion there is no other option.
Sending cc info via email is not secure.

Peter_S_Aus

I can’t help but think that is akin to staying in a place that does room service food, and yet getting food brought to the room by ordering dial out.

travlsolo2

IMHO the scent of entitlement permeates this whole thread.

umretdd

That is a really strange behavior. I don't understand why they'd do that. It's good that you decided to move to a different place, I would definitely do the same if I were in a similar situation.

bilboburgler

Many years ago I stayed in a hotel and went out walking in the town. I bought a bottle of water in town which I drank from and I was amused when security at the hotel tried to take it off me when I returned.

I understand this is now common practice at some concerts nowadays.

I've equally stayed in an Italian hotel for one night and asked reception to make a booking for the next night at another hotel for me (well before mobile phones). The did so, kindly.

These things are absolutely up to the hotel/business however I would certainly draw the line at anyone insisting I used hotel toothpaste.

I dislike the use of "bully speak" or playground taunts such as Karen, Boomer and Woke I hope we stop this childishness soon.

Melnq8

I understand this is now common practice at some concerts nowadays.

And movie theaters, although I haven't been to a movie in beaucoup years so have no first hand experience.

ekscrunchy

This thread has been poisoned by a few people who have ruined for me and maybe for others. To correct, the hotel costs 300 per night, thus 1000 total. Like many in Puglia, prices have skyrocketed since my last trip. And it is far from a small masserie with a skeleton staff. It is what I would dub a luxury property.






Thanks to the kind people who posted here. I will think twice about putting myself on the line again here.

I don't care who did what in the past. My experience is to have a hotel book outside restaurants for me. Period. One of the restaurants in question (in Montegrosso) is difficult to book due to its small size and fame, so trying a few months out is not unusual. Many many restaurants in the top end in spain and Italy (not my level, usually) do book months in advance. Can Roca in Spain takes them a year out, but that is far off topic. I do not phone because I prefer not to spend money on long distance calling from the US to Europe and because my Italian is less fluent than I would like.

shelemm

I do understand the unpleasant surprise when the lodging didn't fulfill the request of the OP. But I do think it boils down to cultural differences, and I have run into this question myself.

It used to be quite often that when Americans traveled to France they would complain about the rudeness of the French. Often this was a question of a cultural divide. It's true you don't hear about this as much anymore, but it does still exist as evidenced by this thread.

For the lodging, it is rude for the OP to not eat at their restaurant. You can call them wrong all you want, but it was long considered insulting if you didn't take dinner at the place you were staying. Just like it was considered insulting when an American traveled to Europe and started speaking automatically in English.

I am not saying I agree with the attitude, but I am quite certain that, as much as we'd like to think we've erased cultural differences, they can still lead to frustration.

The OP, and everyone else, needs to laugh it off.

The other question is one of competence. I don't speak Italian, yet I managed to book a horseback riding trip by telephone when I was in Italy. In Italian. A little effort goes a long way. Just pick up the phone yourself. They already know why you are calling.