Europe
Unusual & Unique Places to Stay in Italy
Italy's unusual stays are mostly old buildings put to a new use: rooms cut into the rock of the Sassi in Matera, the cone-roofed stone trulli of Puglia, and castles, monasteries and lighthouses that now take overnight guests.
The catch is often the building itself. Cave rooms keep a cool, even temperature but can feel damp and get little daylight, and much of the Sassi is stairs and lanes a car cannot reach, so expect to carry your bag. In July and August the coast and the old towns are at their busiest and their most expensive.
Cave & Underground
What's the catch? Little natural light and patchy phone signal underground.
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPASassi di Matera, MateraSuites and a spa hewn from the tufa stone of an ancient cave quarter.See the stay
B&B CasastellaVia Casalnuovo, MateraA former dimora contadina has been carefully restored and now houses this charming B&B.See the stay
Sassisuite B&BVia Rosario, MateraBuilt into ancient rock formations.See the stay
I tre PortaliMatera, ItalySee the stay
Castles & Palaces
Palazzo dei PoetiVia Alessandro Manzoni, TursiSee the stay
Stanze OrsiniPiazza della Repubblica, Gravina in PugliaBuilt as a residence in the 3rd century AD, this hotel now welcomes guests into its historic walls.See the stay
bed and breakfast " La casa di Giulietta"Matera, ItalyBuilt on top of an ancient cave system.See the stay
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