We visited Matera, Italy, for the first time in early October and found it to be absolutely…read moreamazing. The whole city is fascinating, especially its history, which is worth exploring to better understand. The most famous part of Matera is called the Sassi, which means "stones." This area is made of two old neighborhoods, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, where people carved their homes and churches directly into the soft rock of the mountains. It's one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, with a history dating back 7,000 to 9,000 years! You can now walk through these neighborhoods and get a feel for what they might have looked like back then. The architecture is very interesting because the houses are stacked on top of each other, with some roofs serving as streets for the houses above. It's hard to believe that people lived there under very difficult conditions up until the 1950s; at one point, it was even referred to as the "shame of Italy." This was due to the very poor conditions of living. Some people even lived with their livestock under the same roof! However, things have changed significantly since the Sassi became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Today, you can walk through the narrow alleys, explore the restored cave homes, and find restaurants and hotels built into the caves. It has become a major cultural treasure. Our group of six agreed that it was a fantastic visit, well worth the time and effort. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to see Matera's ancient Sassi.

An UNESCO world heritage site Matera is well worth your time to come and explore. Amazing people…read moreand food. Prices here are very reasonable and there are hundreds of hotels and B&B to choose from. I recommend coming on the shoulder months as it was super pleasant to walk around and not be crushed with people. Matera is filled with history and is the 3rd oldest in the world. Amazing tours to be taken. Transportation is available if walking the steps is a bit much for you. If you come to Southern Italy Matera is a must see.

Amazing cave hotel in the Sassi. The rooms are very spacious. Views are amazing no matter where you…read moreturn on your patio. Refrigerators are in room and items are for purchase. Restaurants are nearby plus the town center is a bit of a walk. Bed is very comfortable. Spacious "closet" type cave area. Breakfast is included and pretty decent selection of items for breakfast from yogurt to eggs to toast and fresh fruit.

We had the most amazing stay at the Aquatio cave hotel! No stone is left unturned here. See what I…read moredid there? Cave hotel. No stone. Get it? Ok, moving on... Although the hotel is located in a ZTL, you are allowed to drive into the center twice -- once to drop off luggage at the beginning of your stay and again at the end to pick up your bags and depart. The hotel reports your license plate to the city so that you don't get a ticket in the mail for your two journeys into the ZTL. We opted for the valet parking. At just €20 per day to not have to deal with finding parking, it was well worth it to us! Our room was in a cave, as promised. Surprisingly, Aquatio makes cave dwelling super comfortable and modern. Our bed provided an excellent night sleep, and the room was super dark and quiet because, well, it's in a cave. The shower had great water pressure. There was even climate control in the room that kept the temperature comfortable and the humidity down. All of the property's amenities and "extras" were just as wonderful as the room. Front desk staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating! Schlepping our luggage to our room, bringing a bottle opener to our door within minutes of calling the front desk, providing tons of helpful info about what to see and do in the area, etc. Breakfast was included in the room rate and was ample/delicious. An hour in their spa was also included and was by far the highlight of the stay! They have an incredible heated pool (in a cave, obviously) that I could have seriously floated in all day if only we weren't butting up against our noon checkout deadline. There is also a relaxation area with wonderful hot tea, a sauna and a hammam (steam room) below the pool. Everything you need to enjoy your time at the spa -- shower cap (for the pool), flip flops, towel, robes -- is provided. Seriously, heaven on earth. Or, heaven in a cave. Whatever. You catch my drift. As if all that wasn't glorious enough, when we lingered a little too long at the spa on our last day and weren't quite ready to check out at noon, they didn't even bat an eye when we asked for 30 extra minutes. We can't wait to visit beautiful Matera again and will most certainly stay at Aquatio when we do!m

L'hotel in Pietra in Sassi Di Matera area is an absolute gem. The rooms are not just amazing;…read morethey're like stepping into a piece of history, with stone walls and charming decor that perfectly blends modern comfort with the ancient surroundings. The breakfast spread is nothing short of delightful, offering a taste of local flavors amidst breathtaking views. Situated in the heart of Sassi Di Matera, the location couldn't be more perfect for exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site. Every corner tells a story, and staying at L'hotel in Pietra allows you to immerse yourself fully in the rich cultural tapestry of Matera. In terms of value for money, this hotel exceeds expectations. You're not just paying for a room; you're investing in an unforgettable experience. The warmth and hospitality of the owner and staff only add to the overall charm, making you feel like a cherished guest from the moment you arrive. Whether it's recommendations for the best local trattorias or arranging guided tours, they go above and beyond to ensure your stay is nothing short of magical. This boutique hotel only have 9 rooms from Classic, Deluxe to Suites. Check out their website www.hotelinpietra.it to see the photos of their rooms and learn more about the hotel. I highly recommend this place.

Staying in Hotel In Pietra is definitely a once in a lifetime experience, we had the pleasure of…read morestaying one night in our trip in Italy's mezzogiorno. Finding the hotel can be a bit of a trip, there are many stairs and you have to park your car around 300 meters away, which wasn't too bad. All hotels in the sassi (caves) are like this but it is best to be aware. The view from this hotel is nothing short of a dream. Actually I was in a dream like state after staying here, it's almost unbelievably beautiful. Our room was quite small, a tiny entryway carved into the stone, very nice and curated, there is even music infused throughout. We needed stairs to get up to the bed, which I loved though going to the bathroom in the middle of the might was a little daunting. This is all overshadowed by the amazing view of what was once a dead city after the resettlement in the 50's by the Italian government. I would however recommend one of the bigger rooms as ours was a little claustrophobic, there are nine rooms in total and it is way worth it to book a large 'cave.' Keep in mind that it can be quite humid as you are in an actual cave, they control it as best they can but it is worth noting. The hotel is actually part of an ancient church, you see remnants inside the main room (where you also have breakfast). The service is impeccable, Roberto the owner was so friendly and helpful, we felt like they go above and beyond for their guests. Breakfast was nice, very European with various cakes and sweets ( there was the most incredible chocolate and orange cake when we were there) and good-quality coffee. All in all, I highly recommend this as a true experience in Matera's sassi, you will go camera crazy like I did and this place blends comfort with extreme.

From the owner: L'Hotel Sassi di Matera è il primo albergo ricavato all'interno dei Rioni Sassi di Matera -…read morePatrimonio Mondiale Unesco dal 1992. Matera è la città designata Capitale Europea della Cultura del 2019.

Romantic doesn't come close to the magical dreamy place this is. Yes, lots of walking and mostly up…read moreand down stairs, but this is a cave city. 1,000+ years old. Actually, my lower back felt better walking the terrain then other cities which have flat paved streets. Our room I could relax and enjoy nearly all day. Great food at the hotel such as the buffet breakfast or dinner. And some of the best tasting bread we've ever had is in this town.

Stayed here at the end of our Backroads Puglia bike trip. I see that the reviews are a bit mixed…read morebut most of the negative reviews seem to be from several years ago so maybe the kinks have been worked out. The entire town of Matera is an indescribably magical place that pictures don't do justice to, and this hotel fits right in. Yes, the rooms are created from a series of caves. Yes, our room had a tub in the bedroom (but a separate sink and toilet area). Yes, it got a bit dark when the sun went down but it was not problematic. Reception staff was terrific, as was the breakfast spread. The room did get a little stuffy at night (climate control is outside the room), but the hotel staff quickly bright a fan when we requested one. I'm not sure I would want to stay more than two or three nights here, but it was the perfect place to stay in one of tbe most unique towns I have ever seen.

From the owner: Hotel a Matera con vista dei Sassi di Matera dal terrazzino panoramico. Le camere sono…read morecaratteristiche dei Sassi di Matera e scavate nella roccia. Offerte speciali sul sito ufficiale dell'Hotel Il Belvedere.

So I can now check 'slept in a cave' off my bucket list thanks to the Residence Sassi San Gennaro…read moreB&B - what an amazing place! You are literally transported back to when Matera and the Sassi was full of thousands of people yet you have all the modern amenities of a modern B&B. My 'cave' was amazing with decor reminiscent of ancient times yet AC, Wi-Fi, Cable and everything else I could want. San Gennarro was also very convenient and close to just about everything. The staff was also above and beyond what I would've expected. The only thing that could've stood a little improving was the breakfast as it was very simple. Most hotels in Italy usually have some version of 'American' breakfast but there was no hot food at the breakfast. It was still nice though w lots of yummy pastries, cereals and hot coffee/tea, etc. I would HIGHLY recommend if you are looking for a fabulous place to stay in Matera! :)

Great view from my room , great breakfast n service.u can drive in front before 10am so u can drop…read moreoff ur luggage.its a walking distance to all the matera's historical sites too.