Il Palazzotto

A true gem in the Sassi, Il Palazzotto is the kind of place that quietly stays with you long after you leave. Elegant yet intimate, the interiors are decorated with remarkable taste and simplicity—nothing feels excessive, and every detail seems thoughtfully considered.
The comfort stands out, especially the bed, which features a firm mattress that ensures a deeply restful sleep. Its location is another major advantage, offering both beautiful views and easy access to the city’s key points, making it an ideal base for exploring Matera.
Mornings are a highlight: the breakfast room has an exceptional atmosphere, and the sunlit terrace overlooking the Sassi makes for a perfect start to the day. The staff are genuinely warm and welcoming, adding to the overall sense of ease and care.
A special mention goes to the Susumaniello wine, Palazzo Zimara—we completely fell in love with it. If you have the chance, it’s absolutely worth tasting.
A refined and memorable stay in every sense.

Likes.
Nice large room (#8) with 3 balconies (not a cave room). There is a lack of privacy but there is a sheer curtain you can cover doors with. People walking come up to the doors and look in so the sheers are needed. There are good black-out curtains for night time.
Very nice large luxury towels are provided. Beds are comfy and the room is clean.
Cave rooms are large and authentic. Although, there are no windows and are moist inside and clothes and bedding feels a bit wet.
Hotel is in great location and the drop off is only 10 stairs and a 2 minute walk away from reception. Everything else in Matera is uphill both ways.
Reception is very welcoming and helpful with information. A nice glass of their wine is provided at check in. The pre-arrival information and response is also great.
Breakfast is continental with a bit of cooked eggs & bacon (served luke warm) and a nice selection of cereals, meat & cheeses, and pasties. Great coffee (americanos, cappuccinos, etc provided).
The TV has a few English channels and access to your Netflix, etc accounts.
For those with cave rooms and for the restaurant there is a nice terrace area outside. There are no sun umbrellas so a hat and glasses may be needed.
Dislikes:
— Shower is in with the toilet room (small area) like a trailer. Floor gets wet and you have to use the toilet with a wet floor. No slippers provided — thus wet socks.
— Limited products. Only one hand soap and combined shampoo/body gels. No conditioner or body lotion.

What an absolute beauty of a hotel! And Antonio at the front desk was an absolute sweetheart! Very accommodating and the service is superb! Breakfast was beautiful and the cappuccino delicioso 🤌🏼
Would absolutely come back and stay here! And don’t forget to buy their wine 🍷 Such a unique experience!

We had planned a trip to Puglia with a one-night stop in Matera and booked Il Palazotto. Although our reservation was non-refundable, I could not have foreseen that my pregnancy would take a serious turn and I was hospitalized shortly after booking, making it impossible for us to travel.
Every other part of our itinerary showed understanding — all accommodations, all transportation bookings, our boat trips, and even the cooking classes immediately offered refunds or vouchers. Il Palazotto was the only place that refused both a refund and even a simple voucher for a future stay. We weren’t asking for money back, only the chance to return once my health allowed it.
For a hotel with such high prices and claimed standards, the lack of empathy and flexibility was extremely disappointing. Because of how this situation was handled, we will not consider staying at Il Palazotto in the future.
Answer to the hotels respond:
I would like to clarify a few points, as your message does not reflect our actual email exchange.
You clearly stated in your email that I had until September 2025 to contact you in order to discuss a refund or voucher, so it would not expire. Due to the mentioned issues before and the demanding period after giving birth, I unfortunately did not have the capacity at that time to respond – my daughter was not even three months old.

Great from start to finish. Welcomed with a smile and a glass of wine. Room (well, cave) was excellent. Everything you need for a short stay. Might struggle with a few nights as there wasn't really much storage.
Make sure you are on good terms with whoever you share with, as there isn't much toilet privacy! It's all one room.
Breakfast was okay. It's one big table and a buffet. Had a great chat with the other people staying and their travel plans. All good fun. However the food choice was a little limited.

If you're looking for an unforgettable experience in the limestone caves of this magnificent city, look no further. There are rooms below the street level which are true caves — windowless and musty; "suite" rooms on the street level which are cave-like but are spacious and have good amenities; and "balcony" rooms on the second floor which are splendid, but not cave-like (personally, I prefer the second floor balcony rooms with light and air)
Now, if you're looking for a luxury experience with modern amenities, fresh air, bountiful breakfast, door-to-door service for your bags, etc. Then this is not for you.
Either way, the hotel staff could not be more wonderful. They try to accommodate you in every way possible.
Just know what you're getting into when you come down to this lower part of Matera, which is a place of restored amazing limestone caves as opposed to the upper part which is where the rich people used to live.

Wonderful stay at this hotel. While I'm not sure we stayed in an authentic cave room, but the experience was still memorable. The room was lovely. The staff were welcoming and attentive. We had a rental car and leaving it in the new part of the city, as the hotel suggested, could not have been easier using Piazza Bianco. They met us at the entrance to the garage and quickly had us in a shuttle straight to the hotel. No worries!

Hotel is in a great location but needs improvements and a little more customer service. Paid for a suite but was given a room where people walking by could look in our window. A few times people actually tried to open our door to the room. Lighting and outlets for charging devices need to be improved. Room looked great but would def reconsider.

Il Palazzotto extraordinary!. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we had stepped back in time—in the best possible way. The atmosphere and setting are incredible. It is very difficult when you return back to main mainland — as I called it!
Our cave room was a true “wow” experience—unique, beautifully designed, and surprisingly comfortable. One cannot describe just how special it feels to sleep in a cave room — where a priest once prayed!
What really made the stay memorable, though, was Antonio. He greeted us personally—walking down in the heat to meet us as we arrived, which was especially appreciated since the entrance is tucked away from the main road. That set the tone for the entire stay. His warmth and attentiveness made us feel like we were staying in a friend’s home. Truly, nothing was too much trouble. He booked us a table for dinner! gave us various tips — and even drew on a map!
The breakfast was amazing—fresh, local, and served with care. Every member of the staff we interacted with was kind, professional.
And whatever you do, don’t miss dinner at their restaurant—it was one of the best meals we had in Italy — and their desserts — to die for!. Make sure to try their local wines, too.
This place is more than just a hotel—it’s an experience. We can't wait to return.

An amazing place and the room was just so cool. Updated but somehow built into a cave it was just so cool. The staff was lovely and the breakfast was generous and setup in a place that you just can't believe is real! The location is in the middle of the historic area. Parking is annoying you have take a taxi but this is a one of a kind place. Never seen anything like it. Thanks again!

We stayed here as a family in August and it was exceptional. The hotel manager & staff were extremely helpful & kind throughout our visit.
Matera is a magnificent part of the world, and well worth a visit. This hotel offers a very elegant place to stay in the right location, close to a nice couple of eateries and bar. Breakfast here was beautiful too.
We used the TA&CO service to park outside the town. Very very helpful and convenient, you do NOT want to drive in Matera!

Me and boyfriend had a very pleasant experience staying at Palazzotto for three nights. The scenery and rooms are incredible and unique. However it is good to know that there is no door to the bathroom and that you are staying in a cave so the phone reception and Wi-Fi might not be so good, but we didn’t mind.
The breakfast was very nice and more than we had expected and the service from the staff was very good. Strongly recommend this hotel if you want a unique experience and live in the Sassi area.

A stay of a life time. A cave? Really? No lions, no Bears just an amazing suite to call home for 24 hours. The lighting in the room is exceptional, very welcoming and warm. The beds comfortable. Breakfast was "ok"… maybe I showed up too late!.
When I walked into the lobby of this hotel, tears came to my eyes for its beauty. Then we were taken to our room and were astounded by its beauty.
Definitely worth a stay.

Stayed for 1 night with my wife in May. Never stayed in a cave, but it was different but in a good way. Plenty of space in the room and very tastefully decorated. Staff were very friendly and helpful, and you have free wine when signing in. A couple of points that surprised me If you want to make a coffee, you pay 2.5 euros per pod, not even a bottle of water? unless you paid) plus small shower gels in the room. 2☆ vibes going on, which was a shame.

The hotel is set partially within the rock and our room had three balconies with lively views of Central Matera. Lovely breakfast within the cave dining room. Excellent staff in this boutique hotel.

The cave room was truly romantic and very clean. The bed was very comfortable and the room was very spacious and very detailed in the cave. With seating area at the entrace with a TV. We also had a coffee machine and fridge and wine with glasses. The bathroom rain forest shower was amazing. Matera is an amazing must see town. Would stay more than just a night maybe 2. We parked our car outside the city and had a shuttle private transfer to thw hotel which the hotel recommended. This was truly woth it. The lights in the room was romantic and the breakfast was like a big family sitting together. It's a must stay when you go to Matera. People mentioned it has a cave like smell and damp. We did not fell that at all. Staff was frendly and recommended places to see. The city looks also so lovely at night time with all the lights. The hotel. Is in the heart of the city and if we came back this place would see us again.

We stayed for two nights and had a fantastic experience. We were panicked as our flight had been delayed which meant we were late to check in however, the staff couldn’t have been more understanding and attentive. The hotel is in an excellent location right in the heart of the Sassi. If you are driving you will have to park outside of the old town and get a taxi to/from the hotel. Ours cost €16 for the five minute journey but it was worth it not to have to carry heavy luggage through the old town in the heat. It truly is a unique experience to stay in the limestone cavern. My only suggestion for improvement is the breakfast but I understand this is the way in Italy.