Directory A–Z - Southern Italy - page 507

Directory A-Z
BOOK YOUR STAY ONLINE
For more accommodation reviews by Lonely Planet authors, check out http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com . You'll find
independent reviews, as well as recommendations on the best places to stay. Best of all, you can book online.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Italy's south is ever improving and increasingly varied. Hotels and pensioni (guesthouses) make up
the bulk of the offerings, covering everything from cheap sleeps near the train station to trendy art hotels and five-star re-
treats with ocean views. Youth hostels, camping grounds and an ever-increasing number of B&Bs are a boon for the euro-
economisers, while agriturismi (farm stays) and masserie (southern Italian farms or estates) allow you to live out your bu-
colic Italian fantasies. Capturing the imagination still more are the options to spend the night in everything from castles to
convents and monasteries.
Where applicable, our accommodation reviews list minimum to maximum high-season rates. Where indicated, half-
board means breakfast and either lunch or dinner; full board is breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some hotels, in particular the lower-end places, barely alter their prices throughout the year. In low season there's no
harm in bargaining for a discount, especially if you intend to stay for several days.
Hotels usually require that reservations be confirmed with a credit-card number. No-shows will be docked a night's ac-
commodation.
The high season is during July and August, though prices peak again around Easter and Christmas. It's essential to
book in advance during these periods. Conversely, prices drop between 30% and 50% in low season. In the winter months
(November to Easter) many places, particularly on the coast, completely shut down. In the cities and larger towns accom-
modation tends to remain open all year. The relative lack of visitors in these down periods means you should have little
trouble getting a room in those places that do stay open.
SLEEPING PRICE RANGES
The following price ranges refer to a double room with bathroom (breakfast not included) in high season.
€ less than €100
€€ €100-€200
€€€ more than €200
Agriturismi, Masserie & B&Bs
An agriturismo ( agriturismi in the plural) is accommodation on a working farm, where you'll usually be able to sample
the produce. Traditionally families simply rented out rooms in their farmhouses; it's still possible to find this type of
lodging, although many agriturismi have now evolved into sophisticated accommodation. There are several Italian guide-