**Italian Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Hotel Over Tap Water Policy**
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In a landmark decision, Italy’s highest court has upheld the legal stance that bars and restaurants in the country are not obliged to serve tap water upon customer request. This ruling comes after a legal dispute involving a visitor to a luxury hotel in the Dolomites, who sought compensation after being denied tap water during her stay.
The case originated in 2019 when a Roman tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, stayed at the five-star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara during the New Year holiday. Despite her repeated requests for tap water, the hotel only provided bottled mineral water at a cost of €7 (approximately £6). The woman asserted that access to water is a fundamental human right and should be included in the hospitality experience.
According to reports from various media outlets, the tourist claimed that each evening, she found a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water placed on her dining table, despite her insistence on wanting tap water. She subsequently initiated legal proceedings against the hotel, asserting that the provision of tap water is an essential service, akin to providing clean bedding or soap in bathrooms.
The hotel’s legal representative, Silvio Belardi, explained that the tourist’s initial claim was dismissed by a court in Rome, a verdict reinforced by a subsequent appeal. Ultimately, the case reached the Court of Cassation, Italy’s supreme court, which sided with the hotel’s policy.
In its ruling, the court made it clear that Italian laws do not mandate restaurants or bars to provide tap water. Belardi noted that the hotel’s policy aligns with practices common in high-end establishments, where only sealed bottled water is served to patrons. He pointed out that the court found no sufficient evidence to support the tourist’s claims of financial and emotional harm, for which she sought €2,700 (£2,300) in compensation.
Furthermore, Belardi mentioned that the arguments put forth by the hotel included the assertion that guests at the hotel would have access to running water within their rooms, even if it was not available in the restaurant setting.
The situation sheds light on a notable distinction between European hospitality regulations. While the European Union’s Drinking Water Directive encourages the availability of free tap water in eateries, there is no explicit legal requirement across member states enforcing this practice. In stark contrast, licensed establishments in England and Wales are legally required to provide free drinking water upon demand.
As discussions around access to basic amenities continue, this ruling has sparked a debate on the rights of consumers in hospitality venues. While some advocates argue that access to tap water should be universal, others contend that individual business policies must be respected.
The Hotel Sassongher has yet to make an official statement regarding the court’s decision. Nevertheless, this case serves as a crucial reminder of the varying standards and expectations of service within the hospitality sector across Europe.
For many, the ruling may prompt further reflection on consumer rights and business ethics in the luxury market. Although the case has concluded legally, the conversation around the entitlement to tap water in restaurants is likely to persist, challenging both establishments and consumers to consider the implications of such policies in an increasingly socially-conscious society.