Maison DAx

It's a very cozy, charming hotel with a romantic, unique atmosphere, and we really enjoyed our stay. The pool wasn't working, though, and a few little details made it feel like some of the hotel's energy, or maybe its love, is starting to fade. We'd still recommend it for a romantic getaway.

The terraces were the highlight of our three-week holiday, with sun loungers, a table and chairs, and a breathtaking view over Sassi Caveoso. We had the Deluxe Double with balcony, though calling it a balcony hardly does it justice. In the evenings we bought wine in town, sat outside, and watched the sun go down. Antonella was warm, kind, and down-to-earth, and the hotel has a classic, effortless design. Breakfast was exceptional, and after a hot day exploring Matera, the little pool was perfect for cooling off. Thank you so much, Antonella and Rita!

The location has its merits, on the edge of the historic town tourists walk through, with a fantastic view from the room. The room we ended up in seemed recently refurbished, with design touches, a powerful shower, and a reasonably comfortable bed. The pool is small, about the size of two jacuzzis, but could be nice in summer and feels scarce in Matera. The common areas were quite nice, though we only used the breakfast room because we didn't know they were there. With only a few rooms renovated and rented out and several more being renovated, the property felt half finished. It might work well for a group renting several rooms and using the common spaces. For one room, the limited communication and management would make me choose somewhere more professional. There's good potential if they sort some things out. Getting in was rough. The host asked for my WhatsApp number after booking, but the booking app masked it, so I didn't get check-in instructions and ended up waiting in the rain. The gate was locked and nobody answered. Their website wasn't working, and the phone number on Google map didn't work either. I messaged the host through the booking app, then the caretakers appeared. They spoke limited Italian and English, weren't sure which room to give us, and asked us to wait. The host replied quickly and was responsive. The room type on Agoda wasn't clear, and apparently we'd booked a cave room. It was dark, with little natural light, and musty. I've stayed in cave rooms in Cappadocia on several trips, for example, but didn't like this one, which looked like a room rather than a cave. The host was nice and responsive and changed it for us to a room with windows, all through booking messages. The caretakers left promptly after showing us the new room, with little attempt to communicate. There was no walkthrough of the property, no instructions, and no WiFi code. That finally arrived at night after I managed to send my WhatsApp number through the booking platform by breaking up the numbers. With so little information from the host or caretakers, we didn't know about the common areas. We didn't use them much apart from breakfast. At the rates we paid then, 170-200 euros a night, I expected ironed sheets, not very wrinkled ones. The caretakers should have had plenty of time for that. Breakfast was fine and had a good variety, some fresh and some not so much. The coffee machines made good coffee. I'd suggest adding a toaster.

Our room, "Leopardi", was beautifully furnished, fully equipped, and styled with care, including the lovely Etro bath courtesy-set. It had a breathtaking view over the Unesco World Heritage site of the Sassi of Matera, with the quiet wilderness of the Murgia rocky landscapes and caves all around. Maison D'Ax somehow feels both intimate and exclusive, while still making community and conviviality feel important. It's a romantic escape. The swimming pool was stunning, and the breakfasts were amazing. I'm already counting the days until I can come back!