Uncover the Secrets of Italy's Hidden Gem: I Sassi di San Giuseppe!

I Sassi Di San Giuseppe Montegiorgio Italy

Uncover the Secrets of Italy's Hidden Gem: I Sassi di San Giuseppe!

Unearthing the Magic (and the Quirks) of I Sassi di San Giuseppe: A Review That's Honestly Human

Okay, listen up, because I've just crawled out of a trip to I Sassi di San Giuseppe in Matera, Italy, and I'm still half-dreaming of those ancient, honey-hued stones. Let me tell you, this place… it's something else. Forget your sterile, predictable hotel chains. This is experience. This is real Italy, and it's both breathtaking and, well, let’s just say interesting.

First Impressions: Buckle Up, Buttercup!

The Sassi (literally "stones") are Matera's claim to fame: ancient cave dwellings carved into the hillside. And this hotel? It's in them. Getting there is an adventure. Forget straight lines. Expect winding alleys, uneven cobblestones, and a serious test for your luggage (thank goodness for the helpful doormen!). My first thought? "Wow… and where's the elevator?" (Spoiler alert: there's one, cleverly hidden, but you'll be hitting the stairs a bit). The vibe is immediately intimate, almost romantic, if you ignore the initial, slightly panicky feeling of getting lost in a maze.

Accessibility: Stone Age Chic… with a Modern Twist?

Okay, let's be real. This isn't Disneyland for wheelchairs. Wheelchair accessibility? It's… challenging. Some areas are okay, but the Sassi are, by their very nature, a logistical puzzle. Facilities for disabled guests: They try. There's an elevator, and they've made some efforts, but this is a historic site. Think of it as "accessible-ish."

The Nitty Gritty: Rooms, Amenities, and the Quest for Wi-Fi

• Rooms: My room (a "Sasso Suite," naturally) was gorgeous. Carved into the rock, with a vaulted ceiling and… wait for it… a window that opens! (A minor miracle after a long travel). Air conditioning? Absolutely. Blackout curtains? Thank heavens. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes, but… (more on that later). Bathrobes, slippers, complimentary tea (and the all-important coffee/tea maker)? Check, check, and check! The extra long bed was a dream but the lack of desk will be problem for the remote workers.
• Internet: The Internet access – LAN I could not found. Wi-Fi [free] was there, but it occasionally took a breather. Internet and Internet services were OK overall.
• Cleanliness and Safety: They take this seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocol. I felt genuinely safe (and there was room sanitization opt-out available). They've got the hygiene thing LOCKED DOWN.
• Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Now, THIS is where things get interesting.
  • Restaurants: There are several restaurants within the hotel, all offering that classic Italian charm. The a la carte in restaurant and buffet in restaurant are tasty, and the Asian cuisine in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant and western cuisine in restaurant are available!
  • Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was a feast. Asian breakfast and western breakfast options. The breakfast in room and breakfast takeaway service are available (perfect for those precious extra minutes of sleep).
  • Bar&Snack: The Bar is a great spot for an aperitivo. The Poolside bar serves refreshing drinks. Snack bar is also available.
  • Other: They had a coffee shop, and I even spotted a bottle of water in my room. They offer room service [24-hour]
• Things to Do and Ways to Relax:
  • Spa: Oh, the spa… The Spa/sauna, Pool with view, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, and Swimming pool [outdoor] are there.
    • I doubled down on the Body scrub experience because I needed to let off some steam and relieve the stress!
    • That body wrap was fantastic, and I was left with soft and fragrant skin.
    • Afterward, I spent hours relaxing in the pool -- that was the best experience of this trip!
  • Gym/fitness: Yes, they do have a Fitness center, a Gym/fitness. Even I tried it!
  • Other: They also offer Massage and Foot bath.

Service and Convenience: The Italian Savoir-Faire

• Front desk [24-hour], Concierge, and Daily housekeeping. They're all incredibly helpful and eager to please.
• Cashless payment service.
• Contactless check-in/out.
• Luggage storage: Super handy.
• Currency exchange.
• Dry cleaning
• Ironing service
• The Facilities for disabled guests are there.
• Air conditioning in public area is there.
• They provide Food delivery.
• The gift/souvenir shop has some beautiful things.
• Smoking area.
  • The room decorations are quite interesting.
  • They provide safety/security feature, as well as a security [24-hour].
  • The smoke alarms, fire extinguisher, and CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property are there.

For the Kids: Family/child friendly is a highlight of the hotel. They have some Kids facilities and a Babysitting service. They do offer Kids meal.

The Anecdote That Sums It Up: Wi-Fi Woes and the Power of Forgiveness

Okay, remember I mentioned the spotty Wi-Fi? Here’s the thing: I needed to stream a meeting. And of course, the connection decided to take a nap. Cue minor meltdown. I was frantically pacing, muttering about deadlines and the lack of modern technology in ancient caves.

Then, the staff. The ever-patient, always-smiling staff. They heard my plight, called in a magician, and somehow, fixed it. Not perfectly, but enough. And you know what? It's one of the things I'll actually remember about this place. It's not the polished perfection of a chain hotel. It's the realness, the slightly chaotic, utterly charming human element that makes I Sassi di San Giuseppe so special.

What Could Be Better:

• Accessibility: More could be done for those with mobility issues.
• Consistent Wi-Fi: It really needs sorting out.
• More outlets. (I found myself charging my phone strategically.)

Would I Go Back? Absolutely.

Despite the minor quirks, I Sassi di San Giuseppe is a truly unique experience. It's a place to lose yourself in history, indulge your senses, and embrace the beauty of the unexpected. It's not just a hotel; it's a destination.

---

Here's a special offer for you: "Uncover the Secrets of Italy: Exclusive Escape to I Sassi di San Giuseppe!"

• Book your stay at I Sassi di San Giuseppe and receive a complimentary welcome drink and a special Matera-themed gift!
• Enjoy a free upgrade to a Sasso Suite (subject to availability) when you book a minimum of three nights!
• Take advantage of a 15% discount on all spa treatments booked during your stay!
• Included: Free Wi-Fi, daily breakfast, and unparalleled access to the heart of Matera's Sassi district.
• Book now and experience Matera like never before!

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic of I Sassi di San Giuseppe. Book your Italian adventure today!

Escape to Paradise: Luxury Mango Dive & Bungalow, Lombok

Book Now

I Sassi Di San Giuseppe Montegiorgio Italy

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're heading to I Sassi di San Giuseppe in Montegiorgio, Italy. And let me tell you, I'm not exactly the "organized itinerary" type. More like… "wander aimlessly with a vague plan and a desperate need for pasta" type. But hey, that's where the real travel magic happens, right? So here we go, my semi-coherent attempt at a Montegiorgio adventure:

Day 1: Arrival, Bewilderment, and Olive Oil Delights

• Morning (ish): Land in Ancona. Okay, first hurdle: the airport. It's small. Too small. Finding a rental car felt like some kind of Italian caper movie. (Me, sweating, muttering "where's the damn Fiat?!"). Got the car, finally, which, bless its heart, seemed older than my grandma. Drove through the winding roads, expecting some breathtaking views and getting more motion sick than I expected.

• Afternoon: Finally arrived in Montegiorgio. I Sassi di San Giuseppe. Okay, so the photos? Lies. Beautiful Lies. It's somehow even more stunning in person. The little stone houses are like something out of a fairy tale. My jaw genuinely dropped. Finding my apartment was another story. GPS? Ha! "Turn left… no, wait, U-turn! Go that way… past the goat… maybe?" Eventually, thanks to the kindness of a local with a booming laugh and a hand gesture vocabulary that could rival a mime, I made it. Unpacking was a flurry of anxiousness. My heart sinking when discovering that the fridge wasn't working properly. I swear I could hear the tomatoes sobbing in the heat.

• Evening/Pasta Pursuit: Dinner. That's all that mattered. Wandered around Montegiorgio, got completely lost (again), and stumbled upon Osteria del Sole. And. Oh. My. God. The pasta. Forget the Mona Lisa, this was true art. A simple cacio e pepe that tasted like heaven. Seriously. I may have shed a tear or two. (Maybe a little too much wine…). Talked to the owner, a charming, weathered man who told me about his family and the history of the town. He had a twinkle in his eye, and his hands moved like a conductor in an opera. This man made me fall in love with the town.

• Night: Back at the flat. I was craving a nice drink even trying to find a good supermarket was a task. Managed to find some horrible wine and passed out, dreaming of pasta.

Day 2: The Power of the Piazza and the Accidental Olive Oil Baptism

• Morning: Woke up, sun streaming through the window, and I realized I hadn't died in my sleep from a faulty fridge. Yay! Tried (and failed) to make coffee using the tiny Italian espresso maker. Embraced the chaos. Wandered toward the Piazza. The heart of town. Everyone was talking. Coffee, gossip, laughing, the whole shebang. Perfect.

• Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Okay, now the real fun begins. I decided to embark on an olive oil tasting. I'd always hated olive oil. My mum always made me be in charge of the salad, and pouring oil was always my big task. Hated the taste, the smell. The thought. I found a small, family-run frantoio (olive mill). The owner, a woman named Sofia with the most genuine smile, took me through the process. The smell in the air was intoxicating, a mix of earth and fruit. I dipped fresh bread into the oil. And. My. World. Changed. The flavor! The bitterness! The peppery finish! It was like a revelation. Suddenly I understood. Sofia, bless her heart, saw my epiphany and started laughing. We ended up talking for hours. She introduced me to different oils, told me about the best ways to cook with them. She gave me a bottle to take home, a little piece of heaven in a green glass bottle.

• Afternoon Ramble: Walked aimlessly (again) through the town. Found a tiny church, with peeling paint and a profound stillness. Sat there for a while, just… breathing. Felt a strange kind of peace I didn't know I needed.

• Evening:. Back to Osteria del Sole, of course. This time I ordered the tagliatelle al ragu, after a long conversation about the dishes with the owner and the waitress. I might never leave. I think I have a crush on this town.

Day 3: A "Little Trip" to the Beach, and a Bruschetta-Induced Coma

• Morning: The allure of the Adriatic Sea was too much to resist. So, I decided to make a "little trip" to the coast. This "little trip" took about an hour, as the roads once again were a winding and uncertain experience.

• Mid-Morning/Afternoon: The beach was glorious. The water was so clear you could see the bottom. Spent hours swimming, sunbathing, and devouring a whole book and snacks on the beach. I felt completely relaxed.

• Late Afternoon/Evening: Back in Montegiorgio, absolutely starving. Decided I needed a bruschetta intervention. Found a deli, ordered about five different kinds of bruschetta (tomato, mushroom, pesto…). Ate them all. Passed out on a park bench. Woke up at dusk, covered in breadcrumbs, feeling like a happy, slightly intoxicated, loaf.

• Night: Back to the apartment. Tried to make a "simple" salad. Used the olive oil. Messy. Delicious. Fell asleep thinking about the pasta of yesterday.

Day 4: The Castle, the Goodbye, and the Sadness that Follows

• Morning: Visited the Castello. The view from the top was insane. You could the whole region, the Adriatic, the hills. Felt like a queen surveying her domain, for a brief, glorious moment. I loved the fact that despite the castle's fame and beauty, there was no tourism.

• Afternoon Spent a long time with the people I met and loved in the town, chatting and planning on the next time we could see each other.

• Evening: Packed my bags. Feeling overwhelmingly sad. Said goodbye to Sofia, the owner of the Osteria, and everyone else. The thought of leaving… well, let's just say I'm considering a "lost passport" scenario. One last pasta dinner, of course. This time, I wept openly.

• Night: Driving back to the airport. Trying not to cry. Montegiorgio, you absolute charmer, you. I'll be back. (I think I may have already started planning my return trip).

And the Imperfections, the Mess: Of course, the whole trip wasn't flawless. I got lost. My Italian is terrible. I didn't see everything I "should" have seen. The "perfect" travel plan went straight out the window. But those imperfections? They're what made it real. They're what made it magical.

Quirky Observations/Emotional Reactions:

• The Italians. They are the best. They make the simple things beautiful.
• The olive oil. I'm a changed person.
• The peace. I haven't felt this calm in years.
• The pasta. The best I've ever had. Ever.
• Montegiorgio. I miss it already.

So that's my (slightly unhinged) account. Go to I Sassi di San Giuseppe, wander aimlessly, eat pasta, meet the people, and let the magic happen. You won't regret it. Just maybe bring some wet wipes and a good sense of humor. And be ready to fall in love.

Escape to Paradise: Luxury Villa Karang Berawa Awaits!

Book Now

I Sassi Di San Giuseppe Montegiorgio Italy

What *is* I Sassi di Matera, exactly? Like, besides "old rocks"?

Okay, so picture this: chunks of limestone, scooped out over centuries, built into a cliffside like some bizarre, ancient Lego project. That, in a nutshell, is I Sassi. But it's way more than just rocks. It's a whole *city* built into the landscape. Think of it as a honeycomb, but instead of bees, it's full of houses, churches, and who-knows-what-else. Honestly, the first time I saw it, my jaw *dropped*. I mean, I've seen pictures, of course, but nothing prepares you for the real thing. It's like stepping back in time… way back. Further back than my last missed bus, that's for sure. It's *ancient* ancient.

Is it just for tourists? Will I be crammed in with a million other people?

*Huffs dramatically*. Look, yes, it's touristy. Let's just get that out of the way. Especially the high season: *shudder*. But, and this is a big but – and I like big buts and I cannot lie – Matera is still *real*. You can actually *live* there. People still do their laundry, gossip at the bakery and, I swear, sometimes you feel like you've stumbled into a movie set. I went a bit off-season, which I *highly* recommend, and even then, there were moments you'd walk down a tiny alleyway, hear a cat yowling, maybe catch a whiff of someone's delicious pasta, and you'd actually *feel* like you were finding your own adventure, not just following the crowd. I remember one day, I got completely lost, which is easy to do (more on that later!), and I ended up in some tiny square where some old guys were playing cards and shouting in Italian. I didn’t understand a word, but the feeling? Pure magic. Touristy, yes, but also… alive.

I'm thinking of going. How do I *actually* get around? Are there cars? (Please, no scooters.)

Okay, so imagine Matera as a giant, winding maze. Now, throw in some steep hills, cobblestone streets that would *murder* a suitcase wheel, and a complete disregard for the concept of straight lines…. welcome to my nightmare! I mean, the *charm*... it has. **Cars?** Limited. Seriously. Most of the Sassi are pedestrian only, which, honestly, thank goodness. Imagine trying to navigate those narrow, winding streets in a Fiat. You'd be there all day! You'll be doing a *lot* of walking. Comfy shoes are your friends. Seriously, pack two pairs. I nearly lost a toenail. And get ready for some serious stair-climbing. My legs felt like rubber within the day. **Pro Tip:** Learn to embrace the art of getting lost. It's inevitable. Actually, I’d say getting lost is half the fun (and the other half is trying to find your way back to your hotel). I mean, you'll see things you'd *never* see if you were just sticking to the main tourist routes. And pack a decent map -- don't rely on your phone, because sometimes the signal goes... *poof!* Gone. Vanished. Just like my sanity at times.

What's the food like? Please tell me it's not all just pizza and pasta, as wonderful as those are.

Oh, the food. *Sigh*. Where do I even begin? Matera is a *culinary* paradise. Forget the basic stuff. Prepare for a food coma of the best kind. Yes, there's pasta, glorious pasta (especially the *cavatelli*!), but there’s also *pane di Matera*, the amazing, crusty bread that's almost a religion. And local cheeses! And cured meats! And... (I'm getting hungry just thinking about it). I remember going to a *trattoria*, a small, family-run place, and getting the *agnello* (lamb). It was cooked in a wood-fired oven, and it practically melted in my mouth. It was so good, I almost cried. Seriously. I almost started bawling right there in front of the owner. But then I thought, Nah, *that’s* a bit dramatic, even for me. The wine? *Unbelievable*. You can find bottles for hardly anything that taste like pure sunshine. **Warning:** Be prepared to gain weight. And to never want to eat anything else when you get home.

What about staying there? Any recommendations on where to stay? (Budget-friendly preferred!)

Okay, accommodation… it's a whole other story. There are options to suit anything from a backpacker to a billionaire. But, even the *budget* options can be brilliant. You can actually stay in a *sasso* (a cave). I went for a place that was… well, let’s just say “rustic”. It was a "cave-room". That’s what they called it. The walls were exposed rock, which was kind of cool. The other way to describe it: it was a bit... damp. And the Wi-Fi, oh the Wi-fi, it was a temperamental thing that would decide to work when it felt like it. Which was never! But I wouldn't have traded it for the world. The place had character! And, I *swear*, I could still feel the history, the echoes of the people who had lived there centuries before. It was a truly unique experience. And cheap! (Although, I’m pretty sure I could smell the mold. Maybe that’s the Italian history and charm I was smelling.) You definitely can easily find good hotels too. It's just to come up with the kind of experience you want.

Are there any tours? Should I bother? Or should I just wander around and wing it?

Tours? Oy vey. I'm not a huge fan of tours, generally. I *hate* being herded around like cattle. But in Matera? Maybe. A little bit. On the plus side, a guide can give you some serious context. They can explain the history, tell you about the people who lived there, point out the hidden churches and the secret cave paintings. I'd say, start with a walking tour to give you a lay of the land. If you're into history, then get your hands on a good guide. Do your research, don't pick the first one, and ask about the pace. I once ended up with a tour guide who talked so slowly, I thought I'd pass out from boredom. And if you’re the type who likes to wander and discover on your own, don’t dismiss everything. Pick and chose what is right for you. Also, a secret: try to find one that focuses on the *less* obvious stuff. The local legends, the quirky details, the stories that aren’t in the guidebooks. Those are the gems.

What about the "dark side" of Matera's history? I've heard it wasn't always a paradise...

Okay. Let's get to the *real* stuff. MaterHotel Finder Reviews

I Sassi Di San Giuseppe Montegiorgio Italy

I Sassi Di San Giuseppe Montegiorgio Italy

Location:

Share :