Hotel Sant'Angelo Matera

We were very excited about visiting Matera and the hotel - we were not disappointed. We booked with the hotel directly and requested suite number 44. They had said that they couldn't guarantee it until we arrived so we gave them a list of other rooms we liked.

When we arrived, Vincent and Rosanna were there to greet us, gave us a drink and showed us around. Vincent explained all about the sassi to us and was very helpful. He then showed us to our suite ...which was 44. He had noted our request and made sure we got it. It was absoultely HUGE and beautifully decorated. we had a series of rooms and even an ancient cistern. It was very nicely decorated mixing well the old and new.

The staff were very helpful. Great with directions, dinner recommendations, visits round the sassi etc. We just explored ourselves, getting lost in it all - it really was magical.

The only slight negatives would be that the TV didn't have any good English speaking channels but to be honest it seems odd waching TV in a cave, it ruins the atmosphere!! Also the air con was bit severe but we asked for it to be turned off/down and it was fine at night.

This is a great hotel - I would have no hesitiation recommending it to anyone. Check the website out first and select your room, you won't be disappointed.

p.s. BTW - I got a rose too!! (See other reviews)

We spent a couple of weeks taveling around Italy and where really looking forward to staying in this hotel because of the previous reviews.

It was during the month of June and quite hot with Temp in the 30s. We found the saff very helpfull and friendly when we checked in however noone offer to help us get our bags to the room which involves hiking up several outside stone stairways. The room was very stuffy however we assumed the AC had been shut off and the room would cool down while we where out during the day.

When we retuned to the room in the evening we found it still very hot and asked the girl in the front desk if there was a problem. She said she would check in and see.

when I went to have a shower before going to dinner we found that there was no hot water. I returned to the front desk again and was told they would check it out.

Time moved on and we settled for cold showers and asked at the front desk if we could move rooms if the issue could not be fixed after we got back from dinner. We where told the problem was in the hotel and only the aux AC was working and they where working on the hot water. We found that the staff at this point where less than friendly

The room was unbearable that night and we where assured at the front desk the next morning that problem would be resolved before that night however they suggested that we change rooms to one that might be more sheltered and might be cooler.

Again no AC the next night. We where offered a €20 discount.

We added a pre-trip extension at this wonderful hotel before starting a bike trip in the Puglia region of S. Italy. Matera is a unique place where caves built into centuries old rock formations were used as dwellings. This hotel was converted from cave to luxury 4 star inn in an amazing way. The integrity of its former life has been maintained while every luxury is provided. The staff was extremely welcoming and accomodating. The manager made us feel as if he werer entertaining us in his own home. This area has not yet really been discovered by foreign tourists but Mel Gibson's filming of the Golgotha scenes may change that. We did not choose to visit the place because if uits connectin to the movie which we did not see. The city is a World Heritage signt and deserves that designation.

My daughter and I stayed here during a trip of 21/2 months in Italy. We stayed in over 40 hotels in total, I think it speaks mountains that this one stood out from the rest. Service was far beyond the call of duty. Rooms were spotless, spacious and beautifully presented. You would not be disapointed in spending time here, my only advise is allow extra time here as it wont be wasted.

A group of friends stayed for 1 night in April 2006 We where welcomed with an excellent cup of coffee. The staff where helpfull and freindly arranging a guide of the amazing Sassi cave dwellings. We had lunch in the Wig Wam nearby it was busy but good fun. We where given an overview of the Sassi by the hotel manager Vincent then shown to our fantastic rooms. The guided tour of the Sassi was very interesting and we got 4 hours for 10 euros each, normally you only get 1-2 hours. Vincent was the best hotel Manager I have ever encountered and went the extra mile in every way, all the ladies got roses. The breakfast was the best in the whole wee klong trip. Don't miss this place but stay for 2 or 3 days. Wonderful !!!!!

My daughter and I stayed at Hotel Sant' Angelo in mid March 2006 and it was wonderful in every way. We had driven quite a ways that day from the Gargano penninsula and when we arrived in the early afternoon we were greeted with cold drinks and a very welcoming young woman. She spoke mostly Italian and our basic Italian was more than enough. The room was extradordinary and immaculate and gorgeous in every way. You immediately felt like you had hit the traveling lottery! The gentleman who owns the hotel was happy to share his knowledge about the sassi and Matera in perfect English. He reccomended a couple of choices for dinner and upon our return in the evening he greeted us with two bouquets of red roses. The next morning we were greeted by a wonderful prima colazione (breakfast)...fresh Kiwi, pineapple or spremuta (blood orange) juice, cappucino, pastries, yogurt etc etc in the lovely 6 table dining room. Congratulate yourself that you are exploring a piece of wild Basilacata...unique in all of Italy and a world heritage site. You will feel completely pampered by staying at this exceptional hotel. The best in all the sassi district. The whole place will stay with you for days and days. It is wonderful.

My three daughters and I stayed at the Hotel Sant'Angelo as part of a 5 week trip around Italy. I booked this hotel for it's unique sassi rooms and looking for a special experience. We were not dissapointed! Everything about the hotel, was excellent. The staff bent over backwards for us, we felt like we were being given special treatment, Roses for all of us, coffee as soon as we walked in the door, the sense that they had all the time in the world to talk with us. A guide was arranged the second day who was excellent, recommendations for restaurants, and the breakfast! Best out of all the hotels we stayed at. Staying at this Hotel, and seeing the Sassi ended up being the highlight of our trip, and our only regret was that we weren't able to stay longer than the one night because of our schedule. This is one place we will definitely go back to (hopefully) one day.

My brother, husband and I visited this lovely hotel in February, 2006. My brother had received information by way of internet. We had our choice and they were all beautiful. My husband and I chose one with a balcony that overlooked the beautiful church across the canyon. From the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty. I was given three red roses, and our luggage was carried from our rental car up many stone steps. We had driven from Rome that day. We were served a delicious breakfast every morning and were given directions to restaurants as well as a ride to and from one of the restaurants. Not having a good command of the Italian language was not a problem. The entire staff was so helpful. It was one of the loveliest hotels we have ever stayed in and I would highly recommend this beautiful place to anyone.

three of us from the US stayed for three nights in this hotel early in february 2006. it is as fasinating as the city where it is. the view from our room and the patios were unsurpassed. we had not a want; from parking, to baggage help at check in-out, to flowers for the lady, to all courtesies like fixing coffee in the lobby during the day and driving us to and from a restaurant at night. breakfast was special enough. the manager secured us a guide with car for four hours. their rooms were as shown on their web site...extremely large with understated elegance. the bathroom , as large as some small hotel rooms, had heated towell racks, lady stuff, and plenty of light and hot water. not staying at hotel sant' angelo in matera is not to have gone to the sassi at all. the value of staying here, far exceeds your cost. capt, us navy, retired

In July 2005, my husband & I visited Matera based solely on the recommendations of others. We had no knowledge of this city, what made it special or where to stay. Needing a place to stay the night, we inquired at the Hotel Sant' Angelo if they had a room. Fortunately for us they did and what a fabulous room it was! Matera is an amazing city lost in time. This town unique because of the "sassi" which are the ancient cave and rock formed homes that housed man since the Paleolithic era. This hotel very creatively transformed 16 of these dwellings into hotel rooms. The architecture, style and design of each room is unique and in keeping with the surrounding buildings. Our room was spacious, comfortable, with a beautiful well appointed 4 pc bathroom. It was very quiet as we were literally sleeping in the rock! Even ancient pagan carvings remain on the walls of the rooms. Hotel staff are multilingual and very friendly. Breakfast was included and served in the main lobby (also a sassi) and was excellent. This hotel is truly one of a kind and was worth every penny for this unique experience.