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What you can expect during your stay
- Face masks required for guests in public areas
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Updated 04/27/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Updated 04/27/20 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#1 of 50 hotels in Matera
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.8
Value
4.4
2022 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in the Sassi di Matera - UNESCO World Heritage Site in Basilicata region - is the most extreme expression of a Historical Minor Heritage. A heritage, which represents the almost paradigmatic expression of this Minor History, marked by rocky caves, inhabited until the first years of the fifties. The sassi (stone settlement) have been turned into 18 romantic boutique bedrooms, simply furnished, candlelit and calming. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is a cultural project born to bring hospitality experience outside the schematics, not classifiable as "stars" and far from any traditional concept of luxury, so much so that the New York Times deemed it one of “the most extraordinary destinations in the world”, the Times “one of the ten most beautiful hotels on the international scene” and the Tatler guide of Condé Nast has included among “the one hundred most beautiful hotels on the planet”. They talk about the luxury of emotions.
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Property amenities
Valet parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Hiking
Entertainment staff
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Massage
Baggage storage
Paid private parking nearby
Wifi
Coffee shop
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Special diet menus
Chapel / shrine
Concierge
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Sun terrace
24-hour front desk
Express check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Soundproof rooms
Bathrobes
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
VIP room facilities
Wake-up service / alarm clock
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Room types
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Mountain View
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Dutch and 1 more
Location
Full view
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
154Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
88Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Contact
Via Civita 28, 75100, Matera Italy
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all Matera rental cars
1794Reviews45Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
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Most Recent
happydiners13 wrote a review Jun 2022
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom101 contributions43 helpful votes
To stay at this hotel is a magical experience and we loved every minute. We stayed in room 12 which is outstanding in every way. Beautiful detail, romantic and extremely comfortable. The breakfast is perhaps the best we have had anywhere in the world and the setting……… unbelievable. Everyone should visit Materna and hotel Sextantia
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
+1
Hotel's Favorite
WOW! I don't know where to begin. I stay in a lot of nice hotels, but Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita was a stay I will remember forever. Matera is the most incredible town, hidden in the hills of inner Puglia, it is well worth taking some time away from the region's famous beaches, to visit. To truly immerse yourself in the history of the place, I think it's definitely worth staying a few days, and the experience is all the more authentic if you get the chance to stay in the Sextantio caves. The caves, built into the limestone, are just magnificent. They face the mountinans and are the most beautiful, peaceful place to watch the sunset! Our suite was absolutely breathtaking, with both candle light throughout and also electric lamps (tastefully placed around the room with warm bulbs to match the candles). We had a lovely big bath in our room even had a balcony off the bedroom. Everything about the room was stunning and so carefully curated with effortless chic style, from the lovely old wooden table and chairs, to the modern bathroom appliances, tucked in to perfectly sit alongside the thousand year old stone steps. For anyone worried about staying in "a cave", don't stress at all! Everything about it was luxe. The floors are smooth and very clean, the bathroom has everything you could need, the bathroom products are very high end, the bedding was soft and heavenly, and there's electricity and space to hang clothes! They're very glam caves! The staff were lovely, we were looked after by Marco who was just charming - he knows his stuff and gave us some excellent restaurant recommendations, and is clearly very well versed at making guests feel special. The breakfast at Sextantio was also a treat, really delicious breads, pastries, cakes, cheeses, way more than we needed, but we ate it all! And all with a breathtaking view over the mountains. All up, it was one of the most exceptionally unique and beautiful stays I have ever had, and although I would call it a "once in a lifetime" hotel, I very much hope to return again... worth every penny!…
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Date of stay: September 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Room 13 has a balcony!
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5 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Michele Centonze, Marketing at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Responded Jun 7, 2021
Dear Sophia, Thank you so much for being with us and for your kind review. We really hope to welcome you back soon here in Matera or at Sextantio Albergo Diffuso in Abruzzo region, an authentic experience as well. Warm regards.
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+1
What A special stay in such an awesome environment. Being able to stay in such an amazing place that has been updated with the past in mind but comforts of today was very special. The attention to guests comfort and unique experience was spectacular! The breakfast was so delicious and huge! The variety and quality of the food was exceptional!
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Since the hotel is in a ZTL zone arrangements for parking needs to be made in advance but...
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Helpful
After having to cancel our booking made 3 years ago we were eventually able to take our 2 day experience in Matera - and how memorable it was ! How do you describe a 5 star cave experience ! - It was wonderful ! Without destroying any of the historical features Sextanio Le Grotte manage to include all the luxuries you would expect from 5 star accommodation - in addition to electric lights candles (very safely situated) lit the cave - very romantic ! Breakfast was a great array of local produce served in a separate cave beautifully presented by the lovely attentive staff - nothing was too much trouble ! The tour of the old city and civilisation was organised for us - as part of our deal - and Angela the tour guide, with just the 2 of us were fascinated for 2 hours Also included in our ‘deal’ was dinner at a nearby restaurant which was also excellent ( in fact one of our best meals on our touring trip) -It was so good we went back for the second night !…
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
Imagine staying in caves that have been restored into an amazing experience. Could have stayed here far longer than we did. The staff are fantastic, especially Aman, whom we took a fond liking to. He lugged our suitcases up many stairs, brought us wine and appetizers in the early evening. We were fortunate enough to have a cave that had its own balcony (#11) and so were able to enjoy the view! Breakfasts were amazing. Any necessary arrangements were gladly done by the staff. So much to see in wonderful historic town of Matera!
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Date of stay: May 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Rooms higher up the stairs have a better view. We loved our room #11
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Helpful
How many times in your life will you be able to say you slept in a cave? Well this one checks that box, and is simply put an amazing once in a lifetime experience. First I must say THE VIEWS!!! Perhaps my favorite thing was just sitting outside of our room drinking a glass of wine and watching the light change on the mountains across from the hotel. The rooms are all different because they are built into the old cave homes of Manteca. What they have done to each room is as unique as the city itself so I could not really tell you which one is best. Ours was special as it also had a large window and a shower making it well lit. At the same time one of the other guests let us see theirs and it has a catacomb bathroom shower and some other chamber for who knows??? Very cool!!! The staff is amazing. From help with lugging our luggage to the the room itself (many old steps) to reception to the amazing staff serving breakfast we were extremely well taken care of. I will also give a shout out to room service who had 3 people come in and take care of the room all at once for a less than 10 min turnaround (a first for me and I wonder why more hotels don’t do this). All I can say is “Treat Youself” and stay here!…
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: GO FOR A HIKE! Matera is amazing to see from the other side of gorge!
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Helpful
This was excellent stay Great location Excellent service Particularly outstanding welcome History makes the place especial Rooms are great with candle lights View magnificent Excellent breakfast I recommend it to any one who wants a discuss experience in matera
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
Response from Michele Centonze, Marketing at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Responded 3 weeks ago
Hi Robert, thanks for your kind review. We are really glad you appreciated the entire experience in our hotel. A special thank you also for the compliments to our staff service. We hope to welcoming you in future and we suggest you to experience also our sister hotel "Sextantio Albergo Diffuso" in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a medieval fortified village in Abruzzo.
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An amazing architectural feat, the Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita has redeveloped the caves of the Stassi di Matera into a unique lodging experience. While not for everyone, I was swept into an episode of Game of Thrones with the stone, candles and wrought iron interior. You are not roughing it though, the bathroom fixtures are updated and modern. A wonderful breakfast spread was available each morning, cocktails and wine were on offer in the evening and my husband and I were treated to an intimate, multi course dinner and wine event for two inside the old chapel, complete with candles and music. We were on a self - guided biking trip and the staff were very helpful in storing our bikes and retrieving them when needed. If you plan to be in this area, staying her is a MUST!!!…
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Date of stay: June 2022
Helpful
Response from Michele Centonze, Marketing at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Responded 3 weeks ago
Hi Alison, thank you for being our guest and for your nice review. We are glad to appreciated our breakfast and had the chance to experience our Exclusive candlelight dinner in our XIII century Church. We hope to welcoming you soon in future and we suggest you to experience also our sister hotel in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a fortified medieval village in Abruzzi region. Warm regards!
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My daughter and I recently stayed at Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. It was an amazing experience! Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and given an introduction to the history of Matera and the hotel. We had booked a superior room and we were assigned to number 14. It was spacious and dimly lit with candles and soft lighting. Breakfast at the hotel in the old church was incredible - very fresh and plentiful. The hotel is located in a great location with outstanding views and is close to bars and restaurants. We did a tuk tuk tour with Ape Vito and got to see a lot of the area and learn more of it’s history. We also walked around and met some of the local shop owners and ate at the local restaurants. We loved our visit to Matera and our stay at Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita!
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Helpful
Response from Michele Centonze, Marketing at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear guest, thank you for being our guest and for your kind words. We are really pleased you enjoyed our philosophy and conservative project. Thank you also for the compliments to our breakfast. We hope to welcoming you in Matera again and we suggest you also to experience our sister hotel in Abruzzi mountains, at Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Warm regards!
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Amazing, once in a lifetime experience. Staying in ancient caves with so much history in the beautiful city of Matera. Very helpful and kind staff made the stay even more enjoyable. The substantial breakfasts were enough to keep us going through much of the day.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Sensible footwear is essential for getting around Matera.
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Helpful
Response from Michele Centonze, Marketing at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear guest, thanks for being our guest and for the nice review. We are really glad you appreciated our staff and our breakfast, as well as the entire experience in our caves! We strongly recommend to experience also our sister property in Abruzzo, Sextantio Albergo Diffuso. Thank you again and see you next time!
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PRICE RANGE
$239 - $592 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sextantio civita caves hotel matera
LOCATION
ItalyBasilicataProvince of MateraMatera
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Which popular attractions are close to Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Nearby attractions include Sassi di Matera (0.3 miles), Museo Laboratorio della Civilta Contadina (0.10 miles), and Materasum Ipogeo (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and breakfast buffet.
What food & drink options are available at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
Is parking available at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Yes, paid private parking nearby, secured parking, and valet parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Conveniently located restaurants include Il Rusticone, Burro Salato Bistrot Crepes Et Galettes, and Tierra.
Is Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the center of Matera.
Are any cleaning services offered at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Dutch.
Are there any historical sites close to Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera (0.4 miles), Cripta del Peccato Originale (4.7 miles), and Piazza San Pietro Caveoso (0.3 miles).
Does Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.