A classification of accommodation facilities in Italy: Italian – English – French glossary

Italian - English - French glossary of tourist accommodation terminology

Article 8 of Italian Legislative Decree no. 79/2011 (The Tourism Code) was an attempt to establish a national classification of tourist accommodation facilities with precise, accurate denomination of the various types of business operating in the hospitality sector. Following ruling no. 80 by the Court of Appeal on 5 April 2012 repealing the article, the regional authorities became responsible for regulatory issues in this matter, but they looked almost exclusively to the legislative decree for their inspiration. 

Given the complexity of the hospitality sector and the confusion that arises from the different terms used, we thought it would be helpful to put together a trilingual Italian – English – French glossary of the terminology used for the various types of accommodation.

Accommodation facilities can be grouped broadly into three categories:

  • hotels
  • non-hotel accommodation
  • open air facilities

See below for the glossary and Italian – English – French translation of tourist accommodation terminology.

ITALIANENGLISHFRENCH
Strutture ricettive alberghiereHotel facilities / Hotel accommodationStructures hôtelières
Hotel / AlbergoHotelHôtel / Auberge
MotelMotelMotel
Villaggio-albergoHoliday complex / Village resortVillage hôtel
Residenza turistica alberghieraTourist hotel residenceRésidence touristique hôtelière
Albergo diffusoAlbergo diffuso / Scattered hotelAlbergo diffuso
Residenza d’epoca alberghieraHistoric tourist residence / Period tourist residenceHôtel de charme/Relais châteaux
Bed and breakfastBed and breakfastChambre d’hôtes / Bed and breakfast
Residenza della salute / Beauty farm / Albergo termaleBeauty farm / Wellness hotel / Spa hotelSpa / Hôtel spa / Hôtel thermal
Strutture ricettive extralberghiereNon-hotel accommodationStructures d’hébergement non-hôtelières
AffittacamereGuest houseMaison d’hôtes / Gîte
LocandaInnAuberge
Casa vacanze / Casa per ferieHoliday rental / Vacation houseMaison de vacances
ResidenceTourist residenceRésidence de tourisme
Ostello per la gioventùYouth hostelAuberge de jeunesse
AgriturismoAgritourism / Holiday farm / FarmhouseAgritourisme / Ferme
Residenza ruraleCountry retreat / Rural retreatGîte rural / Maison de campagne
Foresteria turisticaLodge / Guest houseHôtellerie / Maison d’hôtes
Rifugio alpinoMountain lodge / Alpine hutRefuge de montagne
Rifugio escursionisticoHiking lodgeRefuge / Gîte d’étape
Strutture ricettive all’apertoOpen-air/Outdoor tourist accommodationHébergements de plein air
Villaggio turistico / Parco vacanzeTourist village / Holiday camp / Holiday parkVillage de vacances
CampeggioCampsiteCamping / Terrain de camping
Italian – English – French glossary of tourist accommodation terminology

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