L'Hotel In Pietra

Matera, on Basilicata’s boundary with Puglia, is world famous for its honeycomb of caves (sassi) and frescoed rock churches, threaded with a maze of winding alleys and steep stairways. Set in a straight-sided ravine, the ancient settlement is fascinating, like no other, and Unesco has designated Matera a World Heritage Site. Admittedly Matera is not a place for those who would find the terrain difficult, rather Matera is ideal for those searching out something different and well off the beaten track. Wind your way not very far down lanes and a stepped path, about 200m from the square of Matera and, in the heart of this secret sassi landscape, lies the truly beautiful boutique hotel L’Hotel in Pietra.

Three years of painstaking restoration and never-ending passion brought the owners to create the spectacular and exclusive boutique Hotel In Pietra B&B of today and we at Long Travel love it. They took an extraordinary thirteenth century rock church and the adjacent cave dwellings and transformed them into a haven of peace and tranquillity; a temple of elegance and style; and an oasis of designer comfort which make Hotel InPietra the most romantic and magical place to stay whiles in Matera and Basilicata. The imaginative and contemporary treatment of these unique buildings shows a deep respect for the original, adapting them to modern demands with an exemplary attention to detail, which serves to enhance their splendour.

The challenge of successfully combining high vaulted ceilings, stone arches, and nooks and crannies of caves set on various levels, was not an easy one, but is is so effective at and creates the most romantic spot at L’Hotel in Pietra. Well-designed lighting disguises the limited natural light and makes the whole of L’Hotel In Pietra very atmospheric and romantic. The first surprise is the pretty little terrace outside, with views over the amazing sassi. The second surprise is the fabulous and huge cavern of the former church, which accommodates the reception, breakfast area and comfortable lounge – light and airy, with an unexpected spaciousness. The biggest surprise is the quality of the rooms and their unique style. Staying here would make a for a very good honeymoon too!