3 Best Hotels in Matera, Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria

Situated at the bottom of the Sassi ravine on Via Fiorentini (limited car access), the Locanda is a more upscale cave-dwelling hotel, with all modern comforts, including an elevator to whisk you up the cliff to your room. The owners have even created underground thermae romanae (Roman-style baths) with a series of pools heated to different temperatures, a dry-heat room, a steam room, and hydromassage. Guest rooms are on four levels and are simply furnished to conform to the original cavern atmosphere—the view from your terrace is like something out of a movie.

An immersive, experiential stay in Magna Graecia amid twinkly lit ancient caves and scattered stone dwellings, with attention to every detail from the breakfast menu, crafted reproduction furniture, vases and fabrics, plus an enchanting spa that stages the daily Water Sanctuary ritual performance. Guest rooms are themed by various eras from Neolithic to VI--III BC, fitted according to experimental archaeological research, with hidden wooden panels concealing state-of-the-art modern control panels and sockets.  

Interestingly renovated residence hewn out of the tufa rock, with a relaxed lounge/reception backdropped by a large Guerricchio canvas and atmospheric, sculptured breakfast room and cozy niche; a choice of high-dome ceiling, multishape rooms and suites—a mix modern and rustic furniture offset by sleek lighting. The layouts of the rooms vary with the idiosyncrasies of each stone dwelling: some are spacious while others have odd design choices like a minibar and coffee/tea facilities next to a shower and toilet.