Kenneth Glad
The disagreement began with a request during a holiday stay. A long legal path later narrowed the issue to the terms of one hospitality contract.
Italy’s Court of Cassation has rejected a tourist’s claim against a luxury hotel that declined to serve her tap water at dinner, finding that the case did not prove a breach of her holiday agreement.
The ruling, reported by Corriere dell’Alto Adige, concerned Hotel Sassongher in Corvara, South Tyrol, where the woman reportedly stayed for a week over Christmas and New Year 2019.
The guest had paid more than 5,700 euros for a half-board package, with drinks excluded. At meals, the outlet said, she asked for tap water but was offered bottled mineral water costing seven euros for 0.75 liters.
According to the newspaper, her court claim said she had been “constantly denied” potable tap water and was forced to buy bottled water instead.
She also argued that “water is a natural good and a universal human right for every individual.” She sought about 2,700 euros for alleged economic loss and emotional stress.
Judges saw no breach
Before reaching the Court of Cassation, the claim had already failed before a justice of the peace in Rome and on appeal.
The court’s decision turned on this specific contract dispute: Judges found no evidence that the hotel had promised tap water service as part of the purchased package.
They also found no rule requiring the hotel, in these circumstances, to bring tap water to the restaurant table.
Silvio Belardi, the lawyer for Hotel Sassongher, told Corriere dell’Alto Adige that the ruling confirmed there is “no obligation” for a venue to provide potable water to guests.
According to TV 2, similar assumptions sometimes appear in Denmark, where there is no broad duty to provide water on request.
The broadcaster said Danish law requires help only in cases such as obvious danger to life or comparable emergencies.
A 2018 citizen proposal to require free tap water in Danish restaurants failed to reach the 50,000 supporters needed for parliamentary consideration.
Sources: Corriere dell’Alto Adige, TV 2
