Hotel Sassi

Very interesting cave hotel! Since there are no cars allowed on adjacent streets, one must walk from the nearest plaza. Cobblestone streets may be treacherous when wet. Handrails rare but helpful when available. Clothes dry very slowly in the rooms because of high humidity. Good breakfast. Great views!

The Hotel Sassi (sassi means caves) is actually built on multiple levels into former cave homes in Matera. There are many steps, so if that is a concern, think twice. The rough rock-hewn walls are atmospheric. The hotel is fairly no-frills. There are great views across the valleys and up the hill to the Cathedral. The weather was warm and the room was quite warm. The AC cannot be set lower than 23 C and in fact the room temp never got below 24 C, which is too warm for sleeping. They did bring a fan at my request. There was a good strong shower, and a min-fridge. There is no safe in the room. Breakfast was quite nice, no hot food but extensive, varied and interesting choices, and cappuccino was served quickly at the bar.

My daughter and I spent an absolutely wonderful two nights at the Sassi Hotel last week. We loved our room 503 with amazing views over the Sassi from the bedroom and bathroom windows! The beds were very comfy too and the air conditioning was good. It is a really lovely, quaint hotel built into the rock and is a brilliant location for visiting everywhere in Matera. Loved the bruschetta at breakfast. All the staff were very friendly too. We didn’t want to leave!!

Stayed for 2 nights. It is right in the Sassi and the view while having a drink on the terrace is the best ever. There are lots of rooms and all different, we were in 301 , cave room with a very tiny bathroom . A wee terrace would be nice , select your room carefully. We did not mind , we slept like logs and loved it . A drink on the terrace with the room and so near to everything was brilliant . Breakfast is good. If I'm lucky enough to visit Matera again I would stay here just pay a bit more for a better room.

Once you navigate the steps down to the hotel you are in for a treat. The rooms are located in caves ~ the room itself was a good size with a minute ensuite. The views from the balcony were stunning.

This hotel is certainly quirky but has some drawbacks. Accessibility is a huge issue and if your room is far away and it's raining, getting to breakfast can be a struggle. Air-conditioning is indecipherable if it works and our room was super humid. Hand washing didn't dry for 2 days. On the plus side, town is great, check in was quick and breakfast is more than adequate.

I stayed two nights here as it was an assigned hotel as part of my tour group traversing Apuglia. I was solo in room #504. I loved Hotel Sassi, because I love being in the heart of an area I’m visiting, and Hotel Sassi is definitely in the heart of it all. I also enjoy “charismatic” accommodations and minor quirks don’t bother me. My room had a lovely view of the Sassi district and screens on the window (unheard of in Europe) so I could open my windows to the fresh morning/evening air without worry about flies/mosquitoes. My friend in room #503 had a lovely view as well. The bathroom and shower were tiny, but adequately equipped, as was the room with an armoire, side tables next to the bed, and outlets for my cell phone recharging. This particular room is right outside the reception area, so if you are a very light sleeper, you MAY be disturbed early morning by commotion at reception (people checking out etc.) but I sleep with white noise so it didn’t bother me. Just something of which to be aware when booking. Speaking of booking, you will be tempted to book a “cave room” as a “unique experience.” My advice is to request that you NOT be in a cave room. I saw those of two of my fellow travelers and they were dark and dingy, and honestly a little creepy to my point of view. I’m not surprised that other reviewers said they were damp. The staff at the hotel was fantastic. Kudos to Domenica at the front desk who found my friend and me a reservation at a nice restaurant at the last minute, when my first two choices were fully booked for the evening. All other staff members were terrific as well. There’s also a lift at the back of the hotel which will take you to an outside staircase, which will take you down to the Sassi area for restaurants, etc., which really is where you want to go. However, it’s very easy to walk UP from the front entrance of the hotel to get to the “upper” neighbourhood of Matera. The breakfast spread was the nicest of all the hotels in which we stayed for this tour. There was lots of fresh fruit (which you don’t always see) in addition to cornetti, meats, cheeses, cereals, sweets and the usual. Coffees to order. I must also say that because I was part of a tour, I did not have to contend with luggage issues or finding my way to the hotel. My luggage was delivered to my room and our guide led us to the hotel, but I can see where it might be difficult finding the place and carrying bags, especially if you don’t pack lightly. If booking for myself in the future in Matera, I would choose Hotel Sassi again! I found it charming and original!

The hotel accommodations were fine. Simple and clean. Awesome views. Nice variety of foods at breakfast. Finding the hotel and parking were a challenge because we did not see the email from the hotel. Attempting to find the hotel using GPS we drove through narrow streets and pedestrian only areas. Parking is several blocks away. The suite we had was two levels, upper bedroom, lower bath and terrace. Do your research before going to Matera. It’s a fascinating place but the historic steep streets and stairs are challenging.