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Cave Hotels in Matera

Stay in a cave in Matera's Sassi

By , About.com Guide

Matera, in southern Italy's Basilicata region, is famous for its sassi, a city of cave-houses and churches dug out of soft tufa that's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A fascinating thing to do is to stay in the sassi in a cave hotel. Sassi hotels are in caves that have been renovated and modernized and have private baths, internet, air conditioning, and heating.

Here are cave hotels on Venere (book direct) with photos, descriptions, and prices.

Locanda di San Martino Hotel and Thermae

Locanda di San Martino is a 3-star hotel set in a former church and cave houses in the sassi, very near Matera's city center. It has 28 rooms, each one unique and some with views, on four levels connected by passageways in the rock and an elevator. Rooms for four people are available. From the terraces and walkways there are good views of the sassi. There's also an unusual thermal pool. Read my review for more hotel details.

Hotel Sant'Angelo

Hotel Sant'Angelo is a 4-star hotel that includes 16 historic dwellings, a restaurant, two bars, panoramic terraces, common areas and an art gallery.

Caveoso Hotel

Caveoso Hotel is a 3-star hotel in the center of the sassi. It has 7 rooms, a large terrace, and free parking.

Relais La Casa di Lucio

Relais La Casa di Lucio is a 4-star hotel with ten rooms and suites, some with terraces and views. It has a garden, parking, and a restaurant.

Residence San Giorgio

Residence San Giorgio is a 3-star hotel in two historic buildings centrally located in the sassi. It offers suites with kitchens for 1 - 5 people.

Sassi Hotel

The Sassi Hotel is in the historic center of the Sassi district. Most of the rooms have windows or terraces overlooking the Romanesque cathedral and the sassi and some of the rooms are excavated into the rock..

Residence del Casalnuovo Apartment

Residence del Casalnuovo, in the sassi district, has serviced apartments with kitchenettes. There's also a common lounge area with fireplace.

Albergo Italia

For those not wishing to stay in the sassi, Albergo Italia is a good choice. The hotel is in the center of the city, just above the sassi. I stayed here a few years ago and my room had a fantastic view of the sassi. Some suites are furnished with items from the late 19th century and there are also family accommodations. The hotel has a restaurant.

Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel

Looking for luxury? Palazzo Gattini is a 5-star hotel in a 17th century villa with 20 deluxe rooms and suites, one of which has a swimming pool on its private terrace with views. The hotel has a wine bar, spa with jacuzzi, Turkish bath, restaurant, and bar.

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