A woman has lost a lengthy and ’emotionally distressful’ court battle after a five star hotel in Italy refused to serve her tap water.
She launched the case in 2019 after spending a week at the luxury ski resort of Corvara, in Badia, over Christmas and new year. She paid for a half-board deal which included dinner.
But when she requested tap water with her meal, the hotel ‘constantly denied’ her and instead she was expected to pay £6 (€7) for a 0.75-litre bottle.
The woman ultimately took her concerns to court and sought £2,337 (€2,700) in compensation for ‘economic damage and emotional distress’ in what became a seven-year battle.
She unsuccessfully argued water was ‘a natural resource and a universal human right’.
In her case, she added that ‘the free provision of a minimum vital quantity is necessary to meet essential needs and must be guaranteed,’ according to court papers cited by Corriere Alto Adgie.
The hotel guest continued to argue that tap water should be a basic amenity and compared it to ‘finding a bed with sheets’ and ‘soap in the bathroom’.
The claim was reportedly filed in a lower court in Rome which was dismissed and so she appealed it to the supreme court of cassation.
A woman has lost a lengthy and ’emotionally distressful’ court battle after a five star hotel in Corvara, Italy (stock image) refused to offer her tap water
The judges ruled there are no Italian laws or regulations which require tap water must be served and that doing so is up to the discretion of the venue.
Silvio Belardi, the lawyer representing the hotel, said the court held that ‘there is no obligation to supply tap water’.
It is said that asking for tap water at a restaurant in Italy is considered poor etiquette and it is typical for waiters to refuse.
Italian tap water can contain several hard minerals like calcium, magnesium, or added chlorine which locals believe can negatively impact the flavours of the food.
While licensed hospitality venues across England and Wales are legally required to serve free drinking water.
