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Hotel Sassi: Traveller Reviews

3.0 of 5
San Giovanni Vecchio, 89 | Sasso Barisano, 75100 Matera, Italy
Hotel amenities
Hotel Sassi
Ranked #14 of 28 hotels in Matera
4.0 of 5 stars 94 Reviews
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94 reviews from our community

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Traveller rating
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Slagelse, Denmark
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“A charming environment”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 December 2011

The Sassi district of Matera is a very special place, now fortunately showing more and more signs of a revival. The Hotel occupies several of the rooms and small apartments carved into the soft stone that characterises the whole district, altogether on six levels, so expect some walking between reception and your room. The rooms, corridors, breakfast area hardly have a straight angle, but it is finely kept, clean and appealing. If you have loads of luggage, it is not easy to get to the hotel, as there is no car access. Parking in the district is also very limited. My room was small (mostly occupied by the large double bed) and the bathroom was tiny, but adequate and the view was splendid. They say you can save water by not changing your towels every day. This has become almost a must in hotels now - at least at the level of declaring it. Like here - cleaning staff did not know the rule. Perhaps if future visitors emphasise to the management that this could actually make a difference, if the cleaning staff observes the "rules" set by the hotel. Especially in a place like the Sassi which was really created before water and sewage was widely used in cities...

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Ireland
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Cool for the experience - have good directions before you go!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 October 2011

We stayed in the suite for one night. It was spacious and nice. Unfortunately it was not as authentic as maybe some of the other rooms are - i.e carved out. It was an experience all the same.

Pros: The view accross the balcony were great -into the old town. The breakfast was nice - as expected for Italy. The staff were very helpful. They booked for us an English speaking private tour of the sassi - with a guide who was brilliant.

Cons: The 'double bed' was as typical in Italy - 2 singles beds together - this is normally fine however the two beds were slightly differnet heights which was annoying.
The hotel is a nightmare to find. Based on previous reviews, we had maps printed and walking directions from the parking garage and we still got lost!!! Once found though we were only a 5-8 minute walk back to the main square with a few steps but not a ' steep 40 meter high climb' as stated in a previous review . I do feel the hotel should print out directions (or email them to you on booking) using not just road names but possibly landmarks - possibly from the main square. It would make for a more enjoyable stay. That said, we got there eventually and anyone we asked pointed us in the right direction.

  • Stayed October 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Joey1980 about Hotel Sassi
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Rome, Italy
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Great location, stunning view...”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 August 2011

I have nothing more to add to other reviewers but only confirm what has been said already. Our room (in a cave of course!) was spacious and comfortable. Our balcony had a stunning view overlooking the caves of Matera.
Despite some negative reviews regarding humidity and cave dust in the rooms , we were lucky and did not experience any similar issue (perhaps because we were in June?).
I can also confirm that the Breakfast Buffet was delicious (try the “pizza bianca ” with sugar on top ...it’s something special!) . The Staff is really friendly .
Only few advices : avoid heavy luggages/trolleys due to the steep steps leading to this hotel; wear confortable shoes due to the alleys paved with cobblestones and ,when possible, avoid the car since parking are a bit far from the caves area. From Bari Airpoirt (70km ) there is a shuttle bus service to Matera for only 3 euro (one way) You can book on-line at following web site: http://pugliairbus.aeroportidipuglia.it/ .

  • Stayed June 2011, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask YvonneRoma about Hotel Sassi
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
London, United Kingdom
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“A Nightmare - would not return if you paid me”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 August 2011
3
people found this review helpful

We arrived in Matera in the rain, having previously booked two nights at the Sassi Hotel. After a long and frustrating search to locate it (a distinct lack of signs) we discovered that we faced a steep climb of about 40 metres high, via treacherously dangerous exposed cobblestone stairs, down which a torrent of water was pouring. I went on ahead to scout the way and eventually arrived at the hotel, completely soaked, having nearly sprained my ankle of the slippery steps. I was shown to a room that was dingy and depressing and furnished like a college dorm.
I was informed that there was no-one to help us with our suitcases - we would have to struggle with them ourselves in the rain to drag them up the cobblestone steps ourselves. This would have been virtually impossible so, with the image of the sad, bare room also in my mind, we went elsewhere. Not only did they keep our deposit, but we were also later charged the full cost for the two nights. An entirely crappy episode.
Do not stay here - even if you make it to the hotel without killing or maiming yourself, you will be sorely disappointed by the threadbare, dingy rooms.

  • Stayed August 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Tom T about Hotel Sassi
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Pier Gregorio Padula, Responsabile reception at Hotel Sassi, responded to this review
9 September 2011
Dear sir,

following to your review please allow ourselves to highlight some points:
1) You actually booked through a travel agency that perfectly explains the kind of hotel we are and our location (and we know it for sure since we received a copy of the booking exactly as the clients does). We don't understand the reason why, if you have had troubles to find us, you didn't call us for helping you, just like other customers do.
2) We like the idea to let our guest live the real experience of the Sassi life so we intentionally furnished our rooms with sobriety but with some piece of pure design in order to create an absolute contrast between antique and modern that our guests enjoy very much. By the way, the Suite room was furnished with flat tv screen, living area and a very panoramic terrace and windows looking to the romanic Cathedral. (Besides you didn't look disappointed at all about it when we showed you the room and, in case, we had other rooms we could have shown you; but you just complained about the weather with us, and for it, we are sorry but we can't do nothing!)
3) We actually offer luggage service on request and we offered to arrange it in maximun 10 minutes, but you have refused it ...
4) Lastly you gone and we received your call informing us about your different accomodation, just at 8.00 pm, just 5 hours after the visit at our hotel and we were are not able to re-assign the room to anyone else .... So we've charged you, also because we received the booking through agency we payed the commission to and we need to respect with all our suppliers the procedures agreed concerning bookings.

Best regards,
Sabrina
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Iowa City, Iowa
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great hotel, wonderful breakfasts and views”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 June 2011

This hotel is difficult to get to because of the city's steep hills, but it is well worth the walk. As suggested by its name it is located in the historic Sassi district. The staff is helpful and friendly and the breakfasts and views are special. Stay there is you are in the area.

  • Stayed May 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask 4inaFiat about Hotel Sassi
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Additional Information about Hotel Sassi

  • Sassi Hotel Matera
Address: San Giovanni Vecchio, 89 | Sasso Barisano, 75100 Matera, Italy
Price range (per night):* 92 AUD - 130 AUD

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