B&B Etiquette

[Melanie689]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but just looking for other opinions on this.

My mum and I are currently staying in a B&B in Italy. We are both from Australia and usually stay in private AirBNBs or hotel rooms so are not super familiar with B&B etiquette.

We have just came back from our room exhausted after a long day of exploring, and the  B&B host (we believe is a staff/family member of host, doesn't speak a word of English) has our door open, with all of our belongings in it, as she is doing all of the B&B washing on the balcony. We weren't sure what was said as it was in Italian, but she kept pointing to her washing, and what we made out was that we have to keep our door open for her to continue doing the washing in our private room.

We also had a knock on the door at 8.30pm on the first night. Before I could get out of bed, she proceeded to let herself into the room, to collect a towel off the balcony.

We feel that we have paid $220 AUD for 3 nights, for a private room, and feel violated of our privacy. We are sure this would not happen at a B&B in Australia, are we overreacting?

Thanks in advance 🙂

[Alexandra316]

@Melanie689Is it possible for you to provide a link to the listing? If this space was listed as a private room in an bed and breakfast, the host should not be entering your private room to do washing, etc. unless it's clearly spelled out in the listing. If it wasn't mentioned anywhere, I definitely don't think you're overreacting. I wouldn't be okay with a host coming into my room in the night without even waiting for your response: that's just bizarre. I think I would be quite uncomfortable in that situation. 

If you're feeling uncomfortable, you can call Airbnb and let them know and they will help to find you another place to stay. 

[Helen3]

Check your listing and if it doesn’t mention host access then speak to your host. If they can’t guarantee privacy ask airbnb to cancel and help you relocate @Melanie689 

You don’t know this wouldn’t happen in Australia. This is down to the host not the country. 

[Gordon0]

From what you have said, @Melanie689, you aren't in an Airbnb, but a more traditional B&B (and not a family stay, which is different).

Either way, it isn't appropriate behaviour from the hosts. You've paid good money for a private room, yet it clearly isn't private.

If you booked direct, tell them, or if you booked via an agent etc., get on to them in order for them to resolve. I wouldn't be cool with this. 

[Lawrene0]

I'm hearing the same as @Gordon0 , that this is a traditional bed and breakfast rather than an Airbnb. Is that the case, @Melanie689 ? 

As he says, it is still not okay. I was just put up (lucky me!) in a traditional bed and breakfast here in Canada, and the privacy protocols were the same as in Airbnbs. No one entered my room unless I gave permission for that. 

Do take a look at whatever you signed or agreed to when you booked, but you are not wrong to be bothered by having to stay in what amounts to be the staff laundry room...

[Barbara1789]

The behavior of the B&B staff is very strange. I am Italian and official B & Bs have very strict standards for customer privacy. Perhaps this structure is not in order. If you can go talk to the city's tourist office: they speak English and you can get help. I'm not the police but they can help you understand if the B&B is in place with Italian laws.