Sassi rooms in Matera

You will love staying in the old center. We expected a glamorized attraction, but it is still as authentic as it can be in a modern world. Cold in early July in Matera is not a relevant concern - we talked to a barista who said it hit 40C in a heat wave last summer. The offerings we saw were all modernized to one degree or another. Look at the photos and reviews and be sure it has air conditioning which would also mitigate any mold/mildew concerns.

I stayed at Hotel Sassi in Matera, although probably in September. My room was neither cold nor smelled of mildew.

I stayed in Locanda di San Martino with our tour group and found it very well appointed. Frankly, I might have enjoyed more cave-iness.

After extensive traveling in Italy since 1980, Matera is one of the neatest places and we wish we would have visited sooner. As for hotels, we stayed at the outstanding Palazzo degli Abati in the Sassi this past September. Our room was part cave and part kitchen from the abbey days. Our shower was the former fireplace of the kitchen and it was huge. The room was large, modern, extremely clean, and the owners/staff were outstanding.

The hotel sent us directions telling us not to use a GPS and to use their directions, only. When we arrived in Matera I could not locate the directions and used our GPS. BIG MISTAKE. The GPS took us through a crowded piazza having a festival, onto a narrow, pedestrian only walkway lined with people sitting outside at cafes, and then finally driving on an arcaded sidewalk to reach the road. Somewhere during this adventure my wife hid her face from embarrassment, but I was unable since I was driving. Finally, I called the hotel and the young lady guided us to the property. The hotel called the police so we would not receive a ticket since we were in a ZTL. Follow the hotel's directions.

Matera and the Palazzo degli Abati receive our highest recommendations.

Buon viaggio,

Linda,

I've stayed at Hotel Sassi and don't remember any "mildew or cold". Staying is cave is so unique, I wouldn't have minded even if those conditions were present.

The place we stayed felt quite humid inside but we're still glad we tried it.

I agree - we stayed there on RS tour and it is a lovely hotel.
The rooms are quite modern, clean, modern bathrooms, balconies.
I loved it.

Thanks for all of your replies. We are booked to stay in Hotel Sassi.

Hello Linda! I'm from Matera and I'm sure that you'll like sleep in Sassi, a lot! Indeed, in July it's very hot here, (in the street I mean) but in the room you'll be cool! No smell, no cold!
If you want to suggest you restaurants where to eat typical food, or a typical place to sleep, or what to see write me as well!

For example, Il Terrazzino it's my favourite resturant in the Sassi, where you can eat a lots of typical dish with local products. You also can eat very good in ristorante Alla Fornaci and in Panecotto, that literally means "baked bread" and it'a one of the most famous tipical dish of the region!
If you want eat a pizza, I recommend you Oi Mari which I think makes the best pizza in Matera.
Moreover you have to taste "focaccia" (you can buy it in a bakery): it's like a pizza but more thicker! I don't know how I can attach photos but you can search on google. As regards the housing, I read that you book a hotel, it's fine. But in my opinion the most suggestive place where sleep are a little bnbs scattered around the Sassi (with typical furnishings and with all confort like covered pool). You can search photos to get you an idea en Hundredrooms. Take a look instead on this site to know the things not to be missed VisitMatera.
For any other advice or suggestion write me! I hope I have been helpful!

Matera is wonderful. One of my favorite places. The Sassi is such a special and beautiful place. I've stayed at the Hotel San Georgio twice. Alessandra, the manager, is lovely. There's another place I haven't stayed at, which is fairly new and run by a wonderful tour guide, and friend. His name Francesco Foschino. I don't have the name off hand, but I have seen pictures and it looks beautiful. Feel free to send a PM if you would like his contact info. He is extremely knowledgable and a great guy.