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.
Caveoso Hotel is a 3-star hotel in the center of the sassi. It has 7 rooms, a large terrace, and free parking.
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.
Locanda di San Martino is a 3-star hotel in the sassi yet very near Matera's city center. It has 28 rooms on four levels connected by passageways in the rock and an elevator. Rooms for four people are available.
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.
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.
For those not wishing to stay in the sassi, Hotel Il Chiostro delle Cererie offers an inexpensive alternative near the sassi. It has simple single, double, triple and quadruple rooms with private baths in a former convent. The hotel has a garden, free parking, and wireless internet. Rooms have fans but not air-conditioning.
