La Dimora di Metello is one of the best boutique hotels in Matera.
Beautifully located in the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, la Dimora di Metello is the perfect place to discover the city; ideal for couples in search of a romantic spot and small group of friends. It is a truly welcoming place that offers a great variety of services for a wonderful stay.
The first thing you will notice as soon as you arrive is the incredible view. Sit on a chair in the terrace to take in the magnificence of Matera, European Capital of Culture in 2019.
This small, family run hotel opened in 2015. There are only a few members of staff and you will mostly talk to Elisabetta, the lovely owner and manager who was born and raised in the Sassi. She’s a wealth of information about the city!
I stayed at La Dimora di Metello during my trip to Matera: here’s what to expect before you book it.
In a rush? Book your stay with La Dimora di Metello here
8 Things To Know About La Dimora Di Metello, Matera
Location
La Dimora di Metello is located in the heart of the Sasso Barisano of Matera, in the Civita, the hill that separates the two main neighborhoods of the Sassi. It is close to the historic Via Fiorentini and the Torre Metellana (Metellana Tower) from which it takes its name.
The hotel measures a total of 300 square meters, and beautifully balances the traditional life of the Sassi with design touches – thus becoming incredibly cozy.
You will find Via Fiorentini at a stone’s throw – this is a street where you’ll find many good restaurants, cafés and small shops, as well as a couple of interesting museums. The hotel is at about five minutes walk from Piazza Duomo, from where you will be able to enjoy even more impressive views of the city; whereas the Church of Santa Maria di Idris and the Palombaro Lungo (Matera’s antique water cistern) are both about 10 minutes walk.
Matera is best explored on foot, and La Dimora di Metello is a great starting point for that. I recommend joining a guided tour to get at least some background information about the city. You can your guided tour here.
How to get to La Dimora di Metello
Matera is best reached from Bari International Airport, which is well connected to the rest of Italy and Europe via regular and budget flights. From there, you can rent a car, take a direct shuttle bus or hiring a private driver such as this one to take you all the way to Matera.
You can also get to Matera by train from Bari town; or by bus from various cities in Italy.
If you are visiting Matera as part of a larger trip across Basilicata and Puglia, you are better off renting a car at the airport, but once you get to Matera you will have to park the car outside the old town, as the Sassi, where La Dimora di Metello is located, are only accessible by car to local residents.
You can park your car at the Via Saragat parking lot, a 20 minutes walk from the hotel, or a 10 minutes bus ride. The bus stop is right outside the parking lot. The bus Linea Sassi departs every 30 minutes, it costs €1.50 and takes you to Via Fiorentini, close to the hotel.
Pack light for your time in Matera, and to use a backpack rather than a suitcase. The city is not exactly walking friendly if you have a suitcase with wheels!
Rooms at La Dimora di Metello
There are only four rooms at La Dimora di Metello, each one slightly different from the other. All rooms are smoking free, proof sound and have a large LED TV, coffee and tea maker, air conditioning, safe, fridge, hairdryer and wifi access.
Here is a brief description of each room.
METELLA – the largest room, measuring 44 square meters (that’s the size of a one bedroom apartment here in Italy!). It fits up to 4 persons, so it is perfect for a family with children. It has a stunning design bathroom, with a massive bath tub. The room enjoys a beautiful light and direct access to the terrace, for fantastic views of the city.
AGAPTA – a 29 square meters room that fits up to 3 guests, and features a stylish staircase that leads to the bathroom upstairs.
EUMENIA – partially excavated in the rock, this beautiful room is perfect for a couple. It measures 26 square meters and – like all other rooms – has direct access to the terrace.
NUMISIA – an incredibly comfortable, stylish room with a spacious bathroom and plenty of space to store your belongings. It’s right in front of the main terrace, so beautiful views are guaranteed.
The terrace
During late spring and summer the terrace at La Dimora di Metello is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast with a view. I wasn’t fortunate to be able to enjoy this, as it rained and it was quite chilly when I visited, but I can assure that the views remain stunning throughout, whether you want to enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine as the sun sets over the city, or you simply read a book and ponder about the beauty of Matera.
The common areas
Other than the terrace, the only other common area at La Dimora di Metello is the reception, where breakfast is served during the winter months. You will find two small round tables with comfortable chairs and a long rectangular one, as well as shelves with books you can borrow, and a large TV. It’s a stylish yet cozy area.
The spa
One of the highlights of La Dimora di Metello is the small yet perfectly functioning spa. It has a state of the art jacuzzi, a bio-sauna, a halo-therapy room which uses salt for beneficial purposes, and a large “shower of emotions.” Both rooms at the spa are dimly lit, for an even more relaxing experience.
You will be able to enjoy several treatments, including massages – either the aromatherapy massage, a candle massage, a tranquillity massage – or a ritual scrub, all of them with the use of high quality products made in Italy.
Breakfast
A fabulous breakfast spread is served daily either on the terrace or in the main common area. You will have ample choice of local specialties such as traditional cookies and bread, as well as more international choices such as croissants, cereals and various spreads. Eggs, savory sandwiches and quiche are also available.
Fresh fruit is always on the table, and as soon as you arrive you will be offered freshly squeezed juice and freshly brewed coffee (they make the best cappuccino!) or tea.
Vegan and lactose free options are available upon request.
Services to visitors
The staff at La Dimora di Metello is available to help you make your experience in Matera memorable. Throughout your stay, they will help you arrange laundry service; book shuttle transfers or tours of the city (such as the Silent City Experience) as well more classic tours; and even restaurants.
Final considerations
I truly enjoyed my stay at La Dimora di Metello. Should you decide to visit this beautiful city, this is easily one of the best accommodation options in town. Book well in advance because with only four rooms and such glowing reviews, this is a popular place to stay! Should you decide to visit for the Festa della Bruna – which celebrates the saint savior of the city – on 2 July, it’s of the utmost importance that you grab a room as soon as possible!
Further Readings
Planning to visit Italy? Make sure to check out these posts:
- 13 Cool Things To Do In Matera, Italy
- A Guide To The Best Places To Visit In Italy
- A Perfect Italy Itinerary: What To See And Do With 10 Days Or More
- What To Do And What To Avoid When Planning A Trip To Italy
- 17 Reasons To Visit Italy As Soon As Possible
- 13 Cool Things To Do In Bari, Italy
Legal Disclaimer: I was a guest of La Dimora di Metello during my stay in Matera. I wish to thank Elisabetta and her staff for their hospitality. The views expressed in this post remain mine without any bias.
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