As with anywhere else in the world, Italy definitely has its fair share of dodgy accommodation. In fact, on my first trip to Rome, I stayed in an hotel that was sub-standard, and that really is putting it very politely.
The same can be said of self catering apartments and all other forms of accommodation, this is why a reputable Rome vacation apartments agency is always the very best idea to consult for any such reservations.
In the first instance, you should check the reputability of any company you are looking to use to secure accommodation. Check to make sure they have a telephone number advertised and ring this to make sure they are at the other end of it. Check for a registered address as well.
The same will stand for booking hotel properties. Verify the reputability of the company you are looking to buy from. Read reviews on sites like Tripadvisor to find out what other customers have to say about the property. If you are booking accommodation through a travel agent or tour operator, never allow them to fob you off if you are not entirely happy with your original choice (and trust me, they will ALL try at first!). Stand firm and bring the matter to their attention straight away.
Alas, far too many companies fail to deal with complaints made by the customers: this holds true for hotel booking sites, self catering accommodation booking agents and tour operators. With this in mind, it is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the customer service and complaints procedure for the relevant company.
