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Original poster

No hot water at air b&b

36 replies

pinkflower223 · 04/08/2026 16:43

So for context we are staying in lake como for a 4 day 3 night stay, I booked the apartment on booking.com for around £400 when we arrived the host told us that unfortunately after the last guests came the hot water stopped working, and because we arrived on Sunday he couldn’t get anyone out to fix it but would get on it first thing Monday, it’s Tuesday evening now and still no hot water and we leave in the morning, we are travelling with a baby so hot water is essential especially because there is an incredible heatwave here, unfortunately moving to a different accommodation wasn’t offered nor do I know if it was an option due to the remoteness of where we are staying, the host has been kind and generous, but I do feel we should be entitled to a partial refund due to not being able to wash our baby or steralise bottles etc fro 4 days. Am I being an arsehole as my partner thinks I am.

OP posts:

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 04/08/2026 21:39

Paquitavariation · 04/08/2026 18:51

In Italy there’s generally a very different idea of what constitutes an emergency response. My DS rents not too far from Como and when he or his friends have had events like no electricity, or water pouring through the ceiling, the response has been that they’ll get to it in a couple of days. Getting hold of decent tradespeople is really tricky at times, especially at this time of year where lots are on holidays.

I think a partial refund would be fair though.

Show quote history

I’ve only ever stayed in hotels not rented in Italy so I have no idea of the scarcity of emergency plumbers but still I’d think an air b n b host would know someone. On googling this issue they do have emergency plumbers in Italy but I suppose it’s luck of the draw if you get someone.

Tiggywiggypiggy · Yesterday 16:43

JustMeSimply · 04/08/2026 19:12

Based on all you've been given by hosts, lifts food etc no I wouldn't because you can easily boil water for sterilising etc and a short stay

This, you are probably entitled to a refund but I am not sure you should ask for one.

Lilypad789 · Yesterday 17:32

pinkflower223 · 04/08/2026 16:55

Yes we have been boiling hot water as and when we need it, just difficult for washing baby when it’s 37 degree heat, I think partner just sees more the emotional side of things, as the host have been lovely and have cooked us food and made us cakes, and picked and dropped us off at our destination, the hospitality has been great, but the lack of hot water has been a major issue. I just wanted to hear other peoples perspectives, so thank you!

You should have included those details in the original post IMO. It changes things a lot. I doubt you would get dropped off / picked up, cooked and baked for included in £133 a night usually in Lake Como. Also, your partner probably realises you have no intention of telling the hosts and that you’re that you intend to claim a partial refund to their face which is kind of an arse hope live whilst accepting things they don’t usually offer.

If you want some money back, tell them to their face and stop accepting anything they wouldn’t usually do had the water been working.

Also, what you’re saying doesn’t make sense about sterilising bottles, it’s done with boiled water very easily. Being unable to wash my body would 100% bother me though.

clarrylove · Yesterday 17:37

Many other ways to sterilise bottles - cold water with tablets, microwave, or large pan of water on the hob. Could also use the large pan to warm baby's bath - being so hot there surely you only need it luke warm anyway?

stinky · Yesterday 17:40

We stayed in an air BnB and there was no hot water one evening, we showered in cold water 🤢. By the time we left for dinner, someone was out fixing it and when sat down for dinner we were notified it had been fixed, the owners were very responsive.

Thedogswhiskers · Yesterday 17:47

We stayed in an Airbnb house in the UK for 2 nights and found we had no water at all in the time we were there as the council had cut the supply due to lack of rain. We didn’t need to ask but got 75% refund

ForPinkDuck · Yesterday 18:01

JustMeSimply · 04/08/2026 19:12

Based on all you've been given by hosts, lifts food etc no I wouldn't because you can easily boil water for sterilising etc and a short stay

I agree youve saved money on food and travel. Id leave it.

Easterchicken · Today 07:52

Raise the complaint with booking.com

However they may wonder why it's taken you so long to mention it..they are who you have a contract with and they are who you booked with

rwalker · Today 08:09

I was going to say yes you need a bit of a refund
but given the price ,the food ,the lifts I wouldn’t you’ve had value for money
it does sound like they’ve gone aboard beyond

as for bottles we always used to use cold water Milton anyway when we went away

UsernameHoarder · Today 08:20

They should have sorted you a kettle for sure. Or a pot to boil water in...

Also could you have stopped at a pharmacy on one of your days out to buy sterilising fluid or tablets?

But yes. I'd expect some kind of refund. Maybe a third of the cost?

Domyou think they'd have been so willing to cook and taxi you around if there had been hot water or are they doing that because you have no hot water? I guess that makes a difference.

GranolaBaker · Today 08:29

That’s an incredibly cheap nightly rate and they have saved you a lot with lifts and food like you say.

hot water wouldn’t be needed for bottles - need boiling water or a cold water sterilising tablet in a plastic bag (Boots used to do brilliant travel bag kits)

that’s a pain they didn’t have a kettle !

finding an emergency plumber in a remote part of Italy the first week of August … definitely a hard task!

If you are going to pursue it maybe ask for 20 % back ?

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