Uncover Matera's Secrets: Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita Awaits
Uncover Matera's Secrets: Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita – A Review That's, Well, Real
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the real deal on Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is gonna be messy, opinionated, and maybe even a little bit… therapeutic for me to write. I've just come back, and my soul is still clinging to those ancient walls. So, pour yourself a glass of something delicious (preferably Italian!) and let's dive in.
SEO & Metadata - For the Algorithm Gods (and you, hopefully):
- Keywords: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Matera, Italy, Cave Hotel, Sassi di Matera, Luxury Hotel, Spa, Review, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Historic Hotel, Cave Dwelling, Italy Travel, Italian Hotels, Best Hotels Matera.
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest and hilariously imperfect review of Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, the cave hotel in Matera. Covering everything from accessibility to the "holy crap, those views!" moments. Expect real opinions, messy details, and maybe even a breakdown or two.
(…and the rambling begins…)
First impressions? Forget the perfectly manicured Instagram shots. Sextantio is breathtaking, but not in a predictable, "oh-look-another-luxury-hotel" kind of way. This place is… ancient. You're literally sleeping in caves, and that hits you right in the feels. Okay, maybe not literally sleeping in caves, there's a certain level of comfort involved, but it's close.
Accessibility – The Maze and the Miracle
Okay, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. And let's face it - this can be a bit of a scramble. Getting to Matera is an adventure in itself. The roads? Let's just say they haven't been updated since the Roman Empire (a good sign generally).
Wheelchair Accessible: Technically, yes, but… with caveats. The hotel does have facilities for disabled guests, like elevators. However, it's a cave hotel! You're dealing with the Sassi, which means a lot of uneven stone paths, steps, and winding alleys. It's a challenge, and that's putting it mildly. This isn't the kind of place you can just zip around in a wheelchair. I saw a couple with mobility issues, and the staff were amazing at helping them, but it was clearly a slower pace for them.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Yes. The main restaurant has accessible pathways, but again, be prepared for a little bit of a navigation course.
Oh, and the Internet…? Let’s Talk Wi-Fi (Or Lack Thereof!)
Internet: Available, but let's be honest, in these ancient caves, it's a bit like trying to connect to Mars. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Yes, but…): Technically true. But the signal is unreliable. Think of it as more of a suggestion than a guarantee. Internet [LAN]: Don't even bother. Internet Services: Limited. Expect to disconnect and embrace it.
Things to Do (Besides Stare at the Walls and Wonder About the Past)
This is where the magic really begins.
- Spa/Sauna: Yes! The spa is a serene oasis. They have the basic spa things.
- Things to do (other relaxation): The best thing is to just be. Wander the Sassi. Get lost. Soak the sun on the terrace.
- Pool with view: The one outdoor pool is glorious.
- Gym/fitness: There is a fitness center, but I did not partake in it. Too busy relaxing.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: It's all available.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because We're Living in the Apocalypse
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Professional-grade sanitizing services: They take this seriously. Kudos to them. Felt safe.
- Breakfast in room: Delicious. Always a treat.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know, just in case you get lost in time.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Stomach's Story
- Restaurants: Multiple. And they're good!
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All of this is available, too. The food is outstanding, especially at the main restaurant, which is set in an ancient cave church. The breakfast buffet is a thing of beauty.
- The "OMG That Salad" Moment: I'm not even a salad person, but one lunchtime, I just had the most divine salad. Fresh, local ingredients, a perfect dressing… I think I moaned with pleasure. The waiter just smiled knowingly. Good times.
- The "Wine and The Walls" Experience: Sitting on the terrace with a glass of local wine, watching the sun set over the Sassi… I swear, the ancient walls were whispering secrets. It's the kind of experience that sticks with you.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Extras (and the Not-So-Little)
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Luggage storage, Laundry service.: Excellent. Everything you'd expect from a hotel like this.
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Valet parking: Convenient. I found all these things helpful.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Safety deposit boxes: Covered.
For the Kids – Can They Handle the Ancient Vibes???
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids meal: Yes, they do. But I'm not sure how much kids would actually enjoy this place.
Getting Around – Navigating the Past
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Everything is there.
Available in All Rooms– The Essentials
- (Including… Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens):
- The "Bathtub Bliss" Moment: After a long day of exploring, sinking into the bathtub was pure heaven. Especially with the provided bath salts…
The "Flaws" (That Make it Perfect)
Look, Sextantio isn't perfect. The Wi-Fi can be a pain. Getting around can be a workout. But that's precisely what makes it so special. This isn't a sterile, cookie-cutter hotel. It's a living, breathing piece of history. It's about the raw experience of Matera, and in a way, that imperfections are part of its beauty.
My Verdict:
Go. Just go. Pack comfortable shoes, an adventurous spirit, and a willingness to disconnect. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is not just a hotel; it's an immersion. It's an experience that will stay with you long after you've left the ancient stones. It's a place to remember why you travel in the first place. It’s a truly memorable experience.
- Rooms sanitized between stays:
- Smokable spaces:
- Soundproof rooms:
- Staff trained in safety protocol:
- The "holy crap, those views!" moments: The view is amazing. I almost fell over looking at how beautiful the place is.
- Hotel chain: Sextantio is a unique hotel, and it is a beautiful hotel. **(…and I’m done. Now, where’s
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your glossy brochure itinerary. This is going to be a messy, glorious, and hopefully hilarious trip to Matera, Italy, centered around the freaking spectacular Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. Consider this my travel diary, my confession, my ode to the uneven cobblestones and the crumbling charm.
The Matera Mayhem - A Human’s Guide to the Sassi
Day 1: Arrival & Cave Dreams (Plus a Panic Attack or Two)
- Morning (ish): Arrive at Bari Airport. Okay, first off, the airport's… well, it’s functional. Let's just say the glamour of Italy hadn't quite hit me at that point. Finding the car rental was another adventure. Turns out, "follow the signs" is a suggestion, not a guarantee. I swear, I spent a good hour wandering around, mumbling about how Italian GPS was going to be the death of me. Finally, SUCCESS! (cue angels singing).
- Afternoon: The drive to Matera. This is where I started to feel it. The landscape. The golden light. The anticipation… and the creeping terror. Driving in Italy is a contact sport, kids. Seriously. I'm pretty sure I aged three years in that hour and a half. But then, around a bend… BAM. Matera. The Sassi. Jaw. On. The. Floor. You're staring at something that feels like you've stumbled into a movie set. A very old, very beautiful, and very intimidating movie set.
- Mid-Afternoon: Check-in at Le Grotte Della Civita. OMG. The hotel. Words fail. You descend into this… cave. Literally. My room was a cave. A freaking, luxurious cave. Stone walls, a huge, impossibly comfortable bed, and a view that made me want to weep from sheer beauty. I'm pretty sure I spent a good fifteen minutes just touching the walls, feeling the ancient history seeping into my soul… or maybe just the dampness.
- Late Afternoon: Wandering the Sassi. This is where the "messy" part really starts. The map? Useless. The cobblestones? Treacherous. My sense of direction? Non-existent. I got lost. Repeatedly. But in the best possible way. Discovering tiny, hidden alleyways, stumbling upon a local artisan crafting pottery (bought a mug that I’ll probably break immediately), smelling the aroma of baking bread… It was pure, unadulterated magic. The kind of magic that makes you forget you’re probably going to twist your ankle.
- Evening: Dinner at… somewhere. I'm still hazy on the name. Think it was called something like "Osteria del Silenzio" or something equally flowery. The food? Divine. Simple, authentic, unpretentious. The orecchiette pasta with cime di rapa… I swear, I could have eaten ten bowls. Did I drop some on my new (and probably already stained) dress? Maybe. Did I care? Absolutely not. This is Italy.
- Night: Stargazing (sort of). The hotel recommended. Apparently my cave's terrance was a private observatory. The stars over Matera are breathtaking. My brain, not so much. I just ended up spending about an hour drinking wine and wondering how on earth I, a complete city gal, ended up here. And you know what? I loved every second of it.
Day 2: Deep Dive into History & a Little Bit of Existential Dread
- Morning: Guided tour of the Sassi. Okay, I’m not typically a “guided tour” person. I like to wander. But this was essential. Our guide, a woman named Maria, was a Matera local, a historian, and basically the embodiment of the Sassi's essence. She shared the Sassi’s history. This place was one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world. People had been living in these caves, in various states of hardship and ingenuity, for THOUSANDS of years. Which lead me to the next activity…
- Mid-Morning: Visit to Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario. This recreated cave dwelling gave me serious chills. It was a glimpse into the past. The poverty, the ingenuity, the resilience of the people who lived there. It's a visceral experience, and not for the faint of heart (or the overly sentimental). I'm not going to lie; I teared up a little. It made me deeply appreciative of my modern life (warm showers, people, WARM SHOWERS!), but also profoundly aware of how fleeting life can be.
- Lunch: Found a little trattoria tucked away in a side street. Ordered something… who knows what. Ate everything. The local wine? Definitely helping with the existential dread.
- Afternoon: Another Wander. More getting lost. More marveling at the architecture. Found a little church (Santa Lucia alle Malve) with amazing frescoes.
- Late Afternoon: The Unforgettable Cooking Class. I'm calling it unforgettable because… well, I’m still recovering. It was hosted a local family (they said it was a local family…I think I found their house on Google Maps, but probably not). We learned to make pasta from scratch, which was harder and more satisfying than I ever imagined. I might have made a mess of my apron. (I did.) The sauce was slow-cooked for hours. We ate the pasta. We drank the wine. We laughed. It was a genuine, authentic, and utterly perfect experience. I will be making pasta for the rest of my life, even if it's never quite as good as it was in Matera.
- Evening: Dinner (again, not sure of the name. Something with "Antica" in it). The food was fantastic. The wine? A flow. I could feel the pasta babies from my pasta escapade from the afternoon. I've never loved an Italian dinner more.
Day 3: Departure & Cave-Related Regret (and a Promise to Return)
- Morning: Breakfast in the cave hotel - the most glorious, fresh bread, local cheeses, and the perfect espresso. It was a peaceful, delicious way to say goodbye to my temporary cave abode. Spent an hour in the hotel's spa/cave, having a massage. Again, I'm not sure if I can ever experience a spa not in a cave now.
- Mid-Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping. (Panic mode activated!) This is the part where I bought random things I probably don't need, but hey, memories! Found a beautiful olive wood spoon.
- Lunch: Repeat of a previous restaurant. I was in love. The food was incredible. Simple, fresh, traditional.
- Afternoon: The Drive. This time, I survived. I felt like a seasoned pro navigating those narrow roads.
- Late Afternoon: Fly home, heart full, stomach also probably full of food.
Final Thoughts (aka, My Honest Feelings):
Matera is… transformative. It's not just a pretty place; it's a place that gets under your skin. It's a place that makes you think, makes you feel, and definitely makes you eat. It's chaotic, and challenging, and utterly, utterly beautiful.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. In fact, I'm already thinking of when I can start booking again, and hopefully, next time I'll remember the names of the restaurants. And maybe learn to drive in Italy before getting there. But probably not. That mess is just part of the charm, isn't it?
P.S. Pack comfortable shoes. And a good travel insurance. And maybe an Italian phrasebook. But more importantly, pack your sense of wonder. You're going to need it.
Escape to Paradise: Sauna & Luxury Await in Your Reutum Holiday Home!
So, Matera... Why All the Hype? Is It *Really* Worth It?
Okay, deep breaths. Matera? Seriously? Look, I'd seen the photos. You've seen the photos. Those *sassi* look like something out of a Tolkien book (or maybe a particularly dramatic episode of *Game of Thrones*). And yes, the pre-trip jitters were REAL. "Is this going to be another Instagram trap?" I thought. Well, let me tell you, *no*. It’s not. It's more. It is, in a word, *magical*. I almost cried when I first saw the sassi at sunset. I'm not kidding. I'm a grown-ass adult, and I almost bawled. It's like stepping back in time, but with, you know, Wi-Fi and decent wine. (Thank God for the wine.)
Okay, Fine. Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita. What's the Deal (And Is It Actually a Cave)?
Yes! The caves are REAL. I mean, they’re *sassi*, technically. They were ancient dwellings, carved right into the rock. Sextantio took these ancient caves and made them… well, *luxury* caves. Think: exposed rock walls, minimalist chic, and the kind of bathroom you'd happily take a nap in. The first night, I was a little freaked out, honestly. "Am I actually *sleeping* in a cave?" the little voice in my head kept asking. But then I had a glass of that Primitivo and figured, "What the hell, let's embrace the experience." And, oh boy, did I. The ambiance? Unparalleled. The silence at night? Almost deafening. And yes, the air conditioning works. Don't worry, you won't be roasting like a medieval peasant.
The Room. *Tell* Me About the Room. What Should I Expect?
Alright, this is where things get... personal. And maybe a little embarrassing. I booked a "Superior Cave Room," which, in retrospect, was a great decision. (Splurge a little, I beg you.) Walking in, heart pounding, you’re hit with this overwhelming feeling of... *authenticity*. It's not shiny and perfectly new. It's *old*. The rock walls are rough, uneven. There's this feeling of being *inside* the earth. The light is dim, but strategically placed to illuminate the best features. My room had a *huge* stone bathtub. My god. I almost forgot about the rest of the trip immediately and spent half the time in that tub. Soaked in absolute bliss. One tiny little imperfection: the wifi in my room was… spotty. (First world problems, I know!). But who cares when you can just stare at your surroundings? And then, that's *it*. Done. Transfixed. Absolutely glorious.
Is the Food... Good? Please Say the Food is Good.
Okay, so I'm a *huge* foodie. And the food at Sextantio? It’s *divine*. Forget dieting, forget counting calories. Just give yourself over to the deliciousness. Breakfast is a spread of local cheeses, meats, fresh pastries (omg, the pastries!), and some of the best espresso *ever*. Dinner felt like a theatrical performance. The staff is so unbelievably welcoming. They recommend incredible local wines, and they're not even *trying* to upsell you. You can feel their love for the food, for the region. The pasta dishes? To die for. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. And yes, I may have eaten too much of all the food. No regrets! Zero, zilch, nada.
What About Getting Around? Is Matera a Pain to Navigate?
Yes and no. *Getting to* Matera can be a bit of a logistical puzzle (fly into Bari, rent a car, lots of winding roads – embrace the adventure!), but once you're there, you're mostly walking. Sextantio is in a great location, right in the heart of the *sassi*. Be prepared for hills. Lots and lots of hills. And cobblestone streets. Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously, you’ll want to slap the next person you see in stilettos. And don't even *think* about trying to navigate those narrow streets in a car. Trust me on this one. Parking is a bit tricky, but the hotel staff can help you out. Just ask! (And maybe tip generously, because those hills are killer.)
Any Tips for Making the Most of My Sextantio Experience?
Okay, listen up. A few golden nuggets:
- **Embrace the Silence:** Turn off your phone. Ditch the notifications. Just *be*. It’s rare. Make sure you unplug for awhile.
- **Book the Spa:** If they still have it (check first, the amenities may change). I was completely blissed out. Massages in a cave? Yes, please.
- **Talk to the Staff:** They're incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. Ask them for recommendations. They are experts!
- **Don't Rush:** Matera is a place to savor, not to sprint through. Take your time, get lost (literally), and let the magic seep in.
- **Splurge a Little:** Seriously, treat yourself. You deserve it. Especially on that room with the tub, you will thank me later.
- **Book Dinner in Advance:** Especially if you're there during high season. Tables can fill up fast.
What's the *Worst* Thing About Sextantio (Be Honest!)?
Okay, raw honesty time? The only real downside I experienced was… leaving. Seriously. I actually got a little teary-eyed when I had to pack. The other little thing? The stairs in those *sassi*. They're beautiful, atmospheric... and a bit of a workout. Especially after all the pasta and wine. But honestly? These are minor quibbles. Everything else was pure, unadulterated joy. And hey, the stairs helped me work off the tiramisu... sort of.
Did you have one moment that sticks with you from the entire trip?
Ok, so here's where I get a little embarrassing, but I have to tell it. The best memory? Is probably the one night. I was back in myTop Places To Stay
