Has anyone here been to Matera?

Sasha,

Yes, I've been to Matera and did stay in one of the cave hotels at Hotel Sassi. I thought it was pretty cool. It's a very unique place and definitely worth a visit (IMO).

Yes, Matera is definitely worth a visit - a couple of days anyway. We didn't stay in a cave hotel but we did stay in a B&B that had been carved out of the hill (a structure from A.D. 500, they say). We were there in late May and it was pretty hot - and humid inside our "cave." But we're very glad we made the trip.

I agree with the other posters. I stayed at the Hotel Sassi and it was
fabulous. We had a small terrace/balcony out the side door and it was
a great view of the valley. (Also a great place to dry laundry).
I would say that Matera is a don't miss opportunity.
We also did a walking tour thru some of the sassi caves and learned the
history of the area.
At night the valley of sassi bldgs. is illuminated and it was really lovely.
I have told many people that a visit to Matera was one of my favorite
places in southern Italy. If you have a car there are some interesting
places near Matera - the Trulli houses, the eastern side of the "boot" to see
the ocean, etc.
Here is a link to the Trulli houses (a UNESCO site)
Trulli Houses

Spent two nights at the Locanda Di San Martino Hotel & Thermae Romanae. Loved the hotel, especially the wonderful grotto swimming pool, steam room etc. Matera is really interesting but be aware there are a lot of steps in the stassi area! Consider taking a guided walk through the stassi to learn the sad history of the area. Also read the book Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi, a novel, based on his experiences when exciled to the area in the 1930s. Also see article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/7813/the-renaissance-of-matera-italys-startling-cave-town.html for more on the history of the region. To get the whole history of the sassi, going back to Neolithic times, consider a guided walking tour.

Fantastic! Thanks everyone. I just picked up a magazine to read while working out today and it had an article about this. sounds fascinating.

Did any of you go by train as explained in the article I linked?

Hi Sasha -- We visited Matera in October 2012. Fascinating place. We took the train mentioned in the article from Bari to Matera. We also stayed at Locanda di San Martino (2 nights) and highly recommend it. The underground pool & spa was wonderful. When we left Matera, we rented a car and drove to Masseria Montenapoleone in Pezze Di Greco -- another fabulous place. We stayed there for 5 nights and used the masseria as a base to explore the trulli villages and the coastline.

I was on Rick Steves South Italy tour so arrived by coach.

I go to Matera every year. This year I stayed in a cave hotel, Hotel Basiliani. Some rooms are split level, the decor is very modern which makes a great contrast with the cave. Lots of special touches. It was a little damp, though. I prefer my favorite B&B, Donna Eleanora, which is one easy staircase above the Main Street of the old town, and therefore a few steps from the entrances to the sassi.

Please learn the history of Matera before you go. The caves were inhabited until the mid-1900s by the poor, who suffered greatly. The book and film, Christ Stopped at Eboli, give an account of this. Several films have been made in Matera.

I usually go by train. The train from Bari to Matera is a commuter train, leaves from the tracks in the station around the corner from Bari Centrale. You will have to backtrack to Bari after you leave Matera, so it is easy to get to the trulli areas if you want.

We were in Matera in May 2013 and loved it. Stayed at Hotel la Pietra , a cave hotel which was incredible. Also took a great tour of the the Sassi. As mentioned, read up on the history of the town before you go. PM me and I can give you more information on our tour guide and good restaurants.