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Shopping · Italy
Updated September 2026

🏨 The hotel or holiday rental was not as booked — who do I complain to?

Direct answer

Complain on the spot, in writing (an email to the front desk or the platform counts) and give them a chance to fix it — that is what every later claim requires. Photograph the problem. If you booked through a platform, use its resolution centre within the deadline. Back home, Altroconsumo (altroconsumo.it) advises and takes complaints about misleading listings; for a property in another EU country, Centro Europeo Consumatori Italia (06 44238090) handles the case for free; Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di pace (mise.gov.it) decides the money if the operator refuses.

Call firstAltroconsumo
Report toCentro Europeo Consumatori Italia
If that failsConciliazione paritetica / Giudice di pace

🗣️ What to say

"Booking [number], arrival [date]. The accommodation differs from the listing: [no sea view / no air conditioning / not clean / smaller]. I ask you to fix this today or move us to an equivalent room. If not, I claim a price reduction of [%] and confirm that in writing."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Complain immediatelyTo the reception and in writing. Ask for a fix or an equivalent alternative; give them a few hours.
  2. DocumentPhotos, videos, the listing screenshots, the messages. Dates and times.
  3. Platform resolution centreBooking sites and rental platforms have a dispute route with a short window — use it before you leave.
  4. Price reduction, not silenceAsk for a percentage in writing and keep the answer. Part of the price back is the normal remedy.
  5. Escalate: Altroconsumo, Centro Europeo Consumatori Italia, Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di paceConsumer body for misleading listings; ECC for cross-border; the dispute body for the refund.

📇 All contacts

AltroconsumoAdvice, complaint letters, conciliationWhen the seller refuses🔗 www.altroconsumo.it
Centro Europeo Consumatori ItaliaFree help with sellers in other EU countriesSeller in another EU country, Norway or Iceland📞 06 44238090🔗 www.ecc-netitalia.it
Conciliazione paritetica / Giudice di paceOut-of-court resolution, then the courtAfter a written complaint without a solution🔗 www.mise.gov.it/it/mercato-e-consumatori/tutela-del-consumatore
Giudice di paceClaims up to €10,000, no lawyer needed up to €1,100Last step, with the contract and inspection reports🔗 www.giustizia.it

❓ Frequently asked

The rental was cancelled the day before

The platform must rebook or refund and often pays extra costs; keep receipts of the replacement. Package holidays have stronger rules — see that page.

The listing photos were fake

That is a misleading commercial practice — report it to Altroconsumo and the platform; a full refund is arguable.

Can I just leave and get my money back?

Only if the accommodation is unusable and they refuse to fix it. Otherwise stay, document, and claim a reduction.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “hotel not as described complaint Italy”
  • “holiday rental complaint refund”
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🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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