Agriturismo Terra dei Sassi

There's plenty of room here, from the spacious bedroom and bathroom to the big dining room downstairs, garden, and parking lot. The windows look out over lovely surrounding hills. The place also has a really friendly feel, and the host is happy to chat and share what they know. Another reason to visit is the wonderful homemade wine produced on site. Even if you don't like primitivo, you might enjoy it because there's a hidden secret. I'll leave you to check it out for yourself.

After I pointed out that we'd booked and already paid for a triple room, we were moved from a double with separate beds to a double with a cot. There was a vague promise of a discount, but no clear explanation of it. We arrived at the B&B at 8:00 PM with my family, after calling in the early afternoon, and Mr. Francesco greeted us by saying, "You're the ones who were supposed to arrive at 7:00 PM." That wasn't a pleasant welcome. We ate dinner at the B&B without being given a menu. The bill was €80, including €8 tourist tax. The next day, when I mentioned a possible error, the owner recalculated it and "discounted" €7, leaving us with €65 for a very simple dinner. We felt that was too much for what was offered. I'm attaching a photo of a receipt from a restaurant in central Matera where the three of us paid less for significantly better quality. As the son of a hotelier, I'm very disappointed with the management and hospitality. I wouldn't return.

The location was excellent, about an 8-minute drive from central Matera, and Mr. Franco gave us lots of useful tips for a day trip, including a tour guide's contact details and a free parking spot just steps from the center. He welcomed us with his adorable cat, Lilli, and was kind and hospitable. The facility is simple but comfortable, and our room was clean. A storm caused an electricity problem, and to apologize for the wait, he offered us a bottle of wine with dinner. Chef Giuseppe was very friendly, too. We had a good dinner, a simple breakfast with homemade pastries, and reasonable prices. My one suggestion is that a facility this large could use more staff. If we're back in Matera, we'll visit again.

The dinner deserves a special mention: simple, traditional dishes, but exquisite, full of flavor, and high quality. Francesco, his cuddly little cat Lilly, and the rest of the staff gave us an impeccable welcome and were very courteous. We also really appreciated the detailed information about visiting Matera. If you live in Matera, we highly recommend trying the restaurant here.