F.A.Q.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any doubts? Here you can find the answer to the most frequently asked questions from our guests.
Why is it better to book by our official web site rather than from OTA, such as Airbnb, Booking or Expedia?
Why on this official site:
- you have access to exclusive offers and rates
- booking is always easy and completely secure
- you will enjoy direct contact with our staff
- you will have access to our offers and no additional costs
Is it possible to reserve the house in Principe Island, too?
Yes, it is possible to reserve it sending an email to the hereby email address: rita.lotti1@gmail.com
What about check in and check out?
Residenza d’Epoca and Appartments:
Check in is from 2:30 pm- early check-in is possible and based on room availability.
DIY CHECK IN is avaible. On request you will receive a message from us with all the instructions for conveniently checking in at any time starting from 2.30 pm, without time restrictions.
We are available by phone or by whatsapp by numbers 00393357729407 7 00393389368207 for any need.
The following morning we will proceed with the registration of your documents. Please contact us before your arriving by whats app, too. We would be grateful if you’d inform us, more or less, about your check in time, in order to give you the best welcome service.
Check-out is required by 10.00 - early/late check-out is possible according to availability.
What about Domus Rio Papagaio check in - check out?
We are quite flexible, depending on the flight schedule to and from Sao Tome.
Please, let us know the time, indicating the flight arrival / departure time
Is there an airport shuttle from / to the airports close to Follonica? What about the cost?
Upon request we will provide information on the TAXI / private shuttle service to and from the airports of Rome Fiumicino and Pisa. The cost depends on the season and the arriving time
Is there an airport shuttle in Principe island? What is the cost about?
Upon request, we provide the airport shuttle service at a cost of € 20.00 round trip to be paid on arrival. The service is not directly managed by us.
Luggage storage
On the day of departure, it is possible, upon request, to leave your luggage at the reception and pick it up later in order to allow yourself a last visit to the city and its surroundings.
Which credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards
What are the payment conditions and cancellation terms?
You can send your request to: info domussocolatae@gmail.com or book directly by our website. We accept credit cards, banking transfers and cash. Prepayment: 50% deposit required or credit card guarantee. The reservation is confirmed only after the depositi s in our account. In middle and high season no fee will be charged in case of cancellation or modification up to 14 days before the date of arrival. For cancellations or changes made after this deadline it is held the 100% of the entire stay. In low season this period is reduced to 5 days and one night of penality. In case of no-show 100% penaly of the entire stay.
Non-refundable rate: when the guest can pay the entire amount of the reservation by banking transfer, or send a credit card information.
The tourist tax is not included in the reservation price.
What are the payment conditions and cancellation terms regarding Domus Rio Papagaio?
Right now the credit card service is not available. We accetp only fire transfer to the following banking account (total amount):
Massimiliano Cavazzoni and Rita Lotti
Via Cavour 32
58022 Follonica Gr Italy
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena Spa
Via Roma Corner Via Bicocchi
Follonica GR
IBAN: IT 76 G 01030 72240 000002681384
BIC: PASCITMMFLL
Payment must be made within 14 days of arrival or within the day following the booking (only in case of last minute reservations and within the deadline of 14 days before arrival) otherwise we will cancel the booking
There is no other way of payment. The reservation will be automatically canceled in case of non-payment
The tourist tax must be paid upon your arrival in cash and for no reason we will return the amount if sent to our banking account.
What about minimum stay reservations and rate?
Reservations are accepted with a minimum stay rate according to the season
What about parking?
Free public parking nearby and paid public parking in front of the structure (€ 15,00 a week). We provide a private parking outside the hotel, upon availability and on request (extracharge E 10.00 per day). Our property feature a private parking right outside the front door for unloading and loading luggage. Please, let we know about your preference and the size of your car in order to book the parking you like.
What about Wi-Fi connection?
We provide free wireless internet access in the rooms / apartments, in the gardens and in the common areas.
What about WIFI connection in Principe Island?
We provide a paid WIFI service. For a normal connection the cost is actuallly negligible. Our staff will provide you with all the information according your needs.
What time is breakfast service?
In the Residenza d'Epoca the Breakfast service is from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.. If possible, apon request we can make some exceptions.
Iside the apartments we don’t provide Breakfast service. You can enjoy excellent bakeries and bars, some of which specialize in products for celiacs, too.
Do you provide breakfasts for celiacs or for food intolerant guests?
Yes, on request we can provide gluten-free products for breakfast in the Dimora d'Epoca
How is the cleaning service and linen change organized?
In Dimora d'Epoca Charming B&B daily cleaning is inclusive from 9:30 to 12:00 a.m.; if you have a different need, please notify us on the previous evening, otherwise we will arrange to reorder the room the next day. The kitchenette (in Double superior room) cleaning up to the guest, it can be possible to a surcharge of € 10,00 per day for extra cleaning. Typically we are changing sheets , towels and linen every 3 days. Extra changing only on request (extra charge € 10,00 per person);
On request, finely embroidered bed linen is provided, extra charge € 100.00 for an extra changing sheets.
In the appartments final cleaning inclusive from 9:0 to 12:00 a.m.; if you have a different need, please notify us on the previous evening. Typically we are providing linen change (sheets and towels) every 7 days. Extra changing only on request (extra towels charge € 10,00 per person). Upon request we can provide daily cleaning (extra charge € 15.00 per day). If daily cleaning of the kitchenette is required, the cost of daily cleaning is € 20.00.
Please note that the kitchenette must be cleaned by the guest, final cleaning service can be requested at a surcharge of EUR 100
Is breakfast service provided in the Principe facility?
We don’t provide breakfast service in Principe island because the kitchenette is available.
Is it possible to cook and eat in Residenza d’Epoca rooms and suites?
In the Residenza d’Epoca, eating in the room is allowed only in the Superior Garden Room. Please note you will be required to clean the kitchenette and an extra cleaning fee of E 15.00 per day may be required.
What private equipment can be kept in the room / apartment?
In our accommodation (rooms, suites and appartments) it is forbidden to use any type of stoves and heaters, open flames and any electrical equipment that is not part of the normal complement of the room/suite/appartment, except electric shavers, hair dryer, battery recharge for mobiles and PC. The management declines any responsibility in case of any damage caused by personal power surges. Please follow the advices described in specific posters displayed in various areas of the structure
What about behavior in the rooms, appartments, suites and in the public areas of the structure?
Any activities that might disturb other guests is not allowed. We kindly request you a proper attitude according to the structure and to respect peace and quiet.
How do the energy and water supply services in Principe island work? Is the energy generator available in the house?
As we are in Africa, it may happen to be without electricity or water, we have chosen not to use the diesel generator because we want to implement alternative forms of energy as soon as we can carry them to the island.
Beware of local (Government) power and water cuts. Usually the Principe Regional Government contingents both water and electricity: the electricity service is provided daily from 7 to 13:00 and from 17 to 23. There are days when for a few hours the water is not supplied for water storage.cleaning and hygiene
Upon arrival always ask our crew, they are giving you any information. We try to make your vacation as comfortable as possible
What about air conditioning in Principe island property?
As for the air conditioning, in order not to waste the energy of the island - which is however distributed only in certain periods of the day -, we kindly ask you to turn it on only when you are in
Are pets allowed?
No pets of any type and size are allowed in our facilities.
Sometimes (only for the appartments) we can accept, upon request, small pets, and no more than one per accommodation, at an additional fee of € 15.00 per day.
If the guest doesn't respect this rule he will be charged the total price of the booking and the reservation deleted as no show (100% penalty);
Are pets allowed in the Domus Rio Papagaio?
In our Domus Rio Papagaio facility it is absolutely forbidden to bring animals of any kind into the house and the garden.
What about children?
The Residenza d’Epoca is meant for guests seeking a quiet, exclusive atmosphere to relax as a couple or have fun with few friends. This property, considering it's charactaristics, is reserved for adults only or kids over 16 years old. If the guest doesn't respect this rule he will be charged the total price of the booking and the reservation deleted as no show (100% penalty)
The apartments are meant for children, too. On request we can provide a cot.
Is it possible to smoke in the rooms/apartments?
In all our facilities smoking is allowed only in the gardens. If the guest doesn't respect this rule he will be charged the fee of € 100,00
Do you have an information office in Follonica?
Our staff is available to our guests for any request / information should occur. Upon arrival we are providing information about the main tourist attractions and services avaible in the area.
Is there an information office on the Prince Island? What excursions do you recommend? Is it possible to rent a car, scooter or bicycles?
There is no information office on the Principe Island. You can consult some tourist agency before leaving Sao Tome, taking care, however, to verify the information received.
Upon arrival, our crew will show you the prices of the excursions. Prices are established by the Principe Regional Government. The tourist services, of any type and for whatever reason, such as the rental of cars and excursions, are not managed directly by us, therefore we advise you to always pay attention to the information you receive. We decline any responsibility even for what may happen during hiking or car trips. Sometimes locals can take advantage of tourists.
The cost of renting cars is quite high as few cars circulate on the island. It is possible to find cars for rent even at a low prices, however, be aware because unpleasant situations could occur. The roads are really bad, the rain often makes them even more difficult to travel and we always recommend using a jeep (if possible with a good driver).
It is possible to rent scooters at a reasonable price to get around the island.
As for bicycles, the roads are very muddy and there are not many bicycles to rent, much less mountain bikes.
What precautions to take or advice to keep in mind on Principe Island?
The island is safe enough to visit, the people are peaceful and Christian. The Evagelist Church and Jehovah's Witnesses are in, too.
Since we are in a still underdeveloped country, it could happen that you can remain without electricity, water or telephone line in the house for a few hours, mainly due to bad weather or because of the Principe Regional Government’s judgment. In these situations, you can contact our staff (a family who lives in the annex of the house) who will be happy to help you and provide you with all the necessary information to make your holiday as comfortable as possible.
Since we probabibly are not on site, an employee can request permission to enter and check the safety status of the gas cylinder or water heater.
Is there a tourist tax in Follonica?
The municipality of Follonica has established the tourist tax (City Council Resolution no.16/2012) following the rules dictated by the recent Legislative Decree
23/2011.
The tax revenues will be used to support projects to restore, enhance and promote the wealth of the territory and in particular services and tourist accommodation.
The tax rates are applied per person, per night, up to a maximum of 15 consecutive days.
For the year 2012 the tax will be applied during the period 1 July - 30 September. From 2013, the application will be applied during the period June 1 - September 30.
They are excluded from payment of tax:
- The officially registered residents of the City of Follonica;
- Children within sixteen years of age;
- The bus drivers and tour guides who give assistance to groups organized by travel and tourist agencies with at least twenty five participants. The exemption is applied to each
coach driver and tour guide every twenty-five participants;
- Volunteers who offer their own social service in town, working for events organized by the Municipality, by the Province of Grosseto or by the Tuscan Region, or during
environmental emergencies; for each initiative, the organizer of the event will define the list of operators and stakeholders;
- Members of the police forces, state and local, as well as the national corps of firefighters who stay, even temporarily, for service requirements;
- Employees of tourist accommodation who will stay for work;
- Athletes and their companions officers;
- Employees staying for work reasons.
- Children up to 16th years old
€ 1,50 a day per person
www.comune.follonica.gr.it/tourist-tax
Is there a local tourist tax on Principe Island?
The Regional Government of the Island of Principe has established a local tourist tax of € 3.00 per person per day, not inclusive in the price of the facility. The local tourist tax must be paid in cash upon your arrival. If, for whatever reason, it is payed in another way, we, for no reason, will return the amount if sent to our banking account.
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