Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita

Some places are beautiful, some are luxurious—but very few are truly unforgettable. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita belongs firmly in the latter. From the moment we arrived, there was a quiet sense of stepping into another time. The caves are not simply rooms, but spaces that carry history, silence, and a kind of rare authenticity. The soft candlelight, the natural textures, the simplicity of the design—all come together to create an atmosphere that is both humbling and deeply calming. There is no excess here, no unnecessary embellishment—just a thoughtful respect for what already existed. And that is precisely what makes the experience so powerful. Waking up in the cave, with the light slowly entering the space, was something we will not forget. And breakfast, served in the rock-hewn church, felt almost timeless—simple, genuine, and beautifully connected to the place. We chose Sextantio to celebrate my fiancée’s 40th birthday, and it proved to be the perfect setting for such a meaningful occasion. It is not the kind of place you visit often—but exactly the kind of place you remember for a lifetime. A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for their warmth and care throughout our stay. We left with the feeling that we had experienced something rare—and with the hope of returning one day.

This hotel exceeded every expectation. The customer service was excellent and everyone was very friendly. They assisted us with any need or requests we had. Our room was very clean and the daily room service kept the it well stocked. It is a cave so we had to get used to the uneven floors and lighting dimmer than what we are accustomed to, but we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. It was such an authentic experience for us and a very peaceful setting. And as wonderful as the room was, the breakfast was out of this world!! Even though they had to put it in a temporary room due to remodeling the regular breakfast area, the ladies that prepared and served did an AMAZING job! If we are ever able to be back in Matera, I wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else. Thank you Sextantio for helping make our holiday so memorable!

Great unique stay. The only issue was the lack of clarity regarding parking and bag drop off. If you are staying be sure you DO NOT enter toward the hotel. You must go directly to the parking garage and be shuttled, with your bags, to the hotel. We received a steep fine for driving toward the hotel bc we didn’t understand where to park. There is not much to do in the town. Other than that, our stay was great and breakfast was yummy!

SPECTACULAR and a ONE OF A KIND EXPERIENCE! The Sextantio is like stepping back in time! We stayed in a sassi (cave) room and we were SO glad we did! The caves have been renovated to have modern conveniences but without losing the very rustic feel. The room was surprisingly warm and comfortable even in the chill of late February. The views right outside our room were gorgeous. The hotel staff was amazingly friendly and accomodating. The breakfast was delicious!! I can not say enough about Matera (its beautiful) and especially the Sextantio! Book this one of a kind experience, you will not regret it!

This hotel was a huge disappointment. the room smelled of sewage all night. the toilet is completely exposed offering no privacy. there isn't even a curtain separating the toilet from the bedroom, no TV. atmosphere is spartan. te bathroom florr remained flooded all night after a shower as the water isn't drained. Beakfast room is very noisy. this hotel does not deserve 4 stars 3 at the most.