Hey all, Dana here. I am back from my epic Italian journey! As both a seasoned travel writer and just a regular human being, I’m about to share the truth on what I can only describe as the ‘Worst Matera Hotel’ experience that torpedoed what was an otherwise epic 18-day Italian odyssey. Picture booking a hotel for its charm and potential story value for you, my dear readers, only for it to unravel into a saga of frustration and disappointment.
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The Worst Matera Hotel: A 3-Star That Deserves 0 Stars!
You know me, always on the hunt for those hidden gems to share with you. Well, this time, I stumbled upon a dud in Matera, a city known for its ancient beauty and unique accommodations.
I was all geared up to present to you a slice of Italian paradise, a hotel that promised luxury, relaxation, and a touch of romance. Instead, I’m here to warn you about the ‘Worst Matera Hotel’ – a place that’s now etched in my memory for all the wrong reasons.
Shuttle Snafu: The Beginning of the Worst Matera Hotel Experience
We made sure to leave Martina Franca with ample time, arriving at the pre-arranged parking garage for our car, considering the ZTL (limited traffic zone) in Matera. Our anticipation was palpable – we were ready for the next leg of our Italian adventure. Eagerly, we grabbed our train bags, expecting the shuttle we were informed was on its way. However, in a swift turn of events, we were told the shuttle wasn’t coming after all.
This unexpected twist turned our journey into an impromptu adventure. With no shuttle in sight, we embarked on a descent towards the ‘Worst Matera Hotel,’ navigating through Matera’s unfamiliar and intricate streets. It was a challenge we hadn’t anticipated – figuring out our route in this new area, all while trying to conserve time and negotiate the complicated terrain. The excitement we initially felt was quickly tinged with the stress of this unplanned trek.
Tick Tock Goes The Clock: Timing Matters in Matera
Please note that time matters on this particular post because according to the hotel’s version (to United Mileage Plus we arrived at 9 AM and were insisting on a room…a far cry from what actually happened) Our time-stamped photos tell a very different tale.
Our journey to the ‘Worst Matera Hotel’ began with a broken promise. Arriving at the parking at 9:58 AM, we were initially told a shuttle would arrive.
By 10:10 AM, that promise evaporated, and we found ourselves trekking down to the hotel with our bags packed for a 3-day journey resting on our backs and walking on uneven cobblestone steps. Our simple intention to drop off our bags quickly turned into the first chapter of our Matera mishap.
Things To Know About Our Worst Matera Hotel Experience
- Confirmed Booking Discrepancy: Despite having an email confirmation for the Family Suite, the hotel is in denial. The undeniable proof? We were granted access to both Room 7 and Room 84, which clearly contradicts their claim of no complaints from us.
- Refund Refusal and Responsibility Dodge: The hotel stubbornly refuses to issue a refund, leaving us in a tug-of-war with United Mileage Plus. Meanwhile, Hotels.com has washed their hands of the matter, pointing the finger at United.
- Consistently Poor Staff Interaction: From the beginning to the end, the hotel staff displayed an incredible level of ignorance. Their unhelpfulness only added fuel to our growing frustration.
- Forced Room and Disappearing Staff: Initially, we were coerced into a room not of our choosing. The original staff members who could have resolved the issue conveniently vanished, leaving our bags in a room we never agreed to.
- Overpayment for Undelivered Luxury: The room we ended up with was a far cry from the luxuries and comfort we paid for. It was a clear case of overpaying for underdelivering.
- The ‘Apology’ That Wasn’t: A mysterious bottle of champagne appeared in our room – an empty gesture, as far as apologies go. We left it untouched; their attempt at placation was as hollow as their service.
- Shuttle Service: Promised but Not Provided: The absence of the shuttle service, both upon our arrival and departure, further highlighted the hotel’s false advertising and poor service.
The Reception Ruse: False Promises at Worst Matera Hotel
Upon reaching the hotel at 10:27 AM, we were greeted by the front desk receptionist. Being a seasoned travel writer, I am well-versed in hotel check-in protocols and thus had no illusions of accessing our room immediately.
Our intention was straightforward: to drop off our bags and commence our day’s adventure. We had the assurance of a beautiful room awaiting us later, as confirmed in our booking. Upon our arrival, the receptionist checked our reservation against our passports and then gave us the passports back. I never thought there was going to be an issue with our reservation.
The receptionist, adopting a tone of hospitality, instructed us to relax behind her desk, an area designated for dining.
She directed us to store our bags in the cloak closet and offered the use of the restroom. Moreover, she mentioned the availability of coffee in the vicinity, an offer we gladly accepted.
After this brief respite, we inquired about the appropriate time to return. The receptionist advised that an hour would suffice, setting the stage for our visit to Palombaro Lungo.
Room Roulette At The Worst Matera Hotel: First Stop, Room 84
At 11:39 AM, we returned to the hotel after we visited the attraction. The front desk attendant then informed us that a driver would take us to our room, located off-campus about five minutes away.
This seemed reasonable, as I had booked the largest family room available, complete with three beds, a separate bedroom, a separate bath, and a room boasting a huge Jacuzzi tub. I aimed to photograph this setting and share it with everyone, anticipating a splendid night. Unfortunately, this was not to be.
I held confirmations from both the hotel and third-party sites like United and Hotels.com, explicitly stating our reservation for this particular room.
Initially, the driver attended to several other guests, heading to the garage from which they had earlier neglected to pick us up – a bit ironic, I thought.
Then, at 11:50 AM, he directed us towards our room. However, he did not accompany us up the steps, merely pointing us in the general direction, claiming his parking spot was not in a good place so we would have to go ourselves. What hospitality! And along the ride, he told us how much he loved the USA.
We found ourselves in front of Room 84, which was instantly recognizable as not the room we had booked. It was starkly minimal, featuring just a bed and a bathroom, a far cry from what we had expected and paid for.
I called the hotel, growing increasingly frustrated, to the point where I hung up. Moments later, a maid arrived at our door with a phone in hand, insisting on a conversation that led nowhere.
We were promised that someone would come to collect us, but after a ten-minute wait with no one in sight, we decided to walk back to the hotel ourselves. There, we were greeted by a front desk attendant with short blonde hair.
By this point, we had lost over an hour of our planned exploration time in Matera, only to be met with a view of the front desk and a less-than-pleasant experience with Italian hospitality.
Interestingly, we had the key and access to a room we never booked. How did we end up in a room we didn’t belong in? According to the hotel’s claims, we never filed a complaint. Yet, here we were in Room 84, a testament to the beginning of our grievances.
Room Roulette Round 2 at The Worst Matera Hotel
Upon our return to the ‘Worst Matera Hotel’ reception area, we immediately addressed the front desk about the unacceptable room mix-up. What followed was a bewildering web of lies. A seemingly ignorant manager emerged, claiming that our early check-in request was the cause of the confusion.
This was a blatant falsehood; we had never requested an early check-in, merely a place to store our bags. This misrepresentation was the first red flag indicating their deceptive tactics.
Then the manager man went on to tell me that the room I wanted with the Jacuzzi hot tub was not available until 2p and if I desired that I would have to come back and move in then because it was not ready now. He proceeded to tell us, that his colleague must have read the confirmation receipt of my request for a Family Room (Um, my payment was the confirmation, as well as the mileage points set forth, and my email from them confirming the room being the Family room) what part of the MEMO did she miss?
He said that when you arrive and ask for check-in (newsflash we never did this) they provide the first available room). Yeah, “I’ll see your room, and I’ll call your bullshit” But once we looked at the room the female manager with short blond hair was insistent we leave our luggage there and deal with it all when we returned and that we could have another room. We were not given a key or a choice that is how she solved it.
Front Desk Antics Continue At The Worst Matera Hotel
The male manager whose strategy was to weave a web of fabrications. He bluffed, claiming we had requested an early check-in, then attempted to lure us with Room 7, touted as a more ‘expensive’ option. But we knew our hand – the largest, most luxurious room they had. His claims? A bad bluff at best.
He intended to get us out of the hotel reception area because I was irritated and telling them what they had done to wrong us, but falling on those Italian deaf ears who only selectively listen!
The day was moving along and we wanted to see the area, so we left, without a room key, without a room we had ordered without anything, just pent-up frustration from the Room game.
Navigating Matera: The Game’s Terrain + The Worst Matera Hotel
We took a strategic retreat, navigating Matera’s challenging landscape while the afternoon shut the city down. It was a tactical move, giving us time to regroup and plan our next move. The spa appointment? Postponed, as we focused on making the most of the daylight in this tricky terrain.
The Final Showdown: An Unwanted Key
Returning at 4:30 PM, we were met with a passive move from the hotel – no further attempts to rectify, just the key to Room 7, where our bags had been unceremoniously left.
We asked to retrieve our bags but instead were told we could have the key to our room, room 7. Ahh, passive-aggressive bullshit and there was no one to call to the carpet as everyone is either sleeping or drinking wine at this time of day in Matera.
It was clear this was the room we were destined for without any change of change because they were ignorant and inhospitable and they decided that our spend of points and money were going to this room, NOT The family room we had paid for and were confirmed for.
We headed to the spa, foregoing further confrontation with a staff whose indifference was as blatant as their deceptions.
The Honest Truth About Matera + Why You Don’t Need The Worst Matera Hotel
We looked at an old man’s magnets back by one of the churches, but they were magnets and I wanted small free-standing pieces. When I told him this he got mad at me and cursed as I walked away.
When I asked a lady at a ticket off by the church for directions to the church we were seeking, when I stepped away she said to me “You have no idea what you are looking for” I turned around and if eyes were lasers she would have been toast, and she kind of cringed. I spoke to her in Italian, and she responded, did she think I was dumb or deaf?
- Rainy Weather Hazards: If it’s raining in Matera, brace yourself. The cobblestones become treacherously wet and slippery. Even for the young and agile, it’s a challenge not worth taking, especially at night.
- Nighttime Navigation: Speaking of night, forget about well-lit paths. The steps in Matera are engulfed in darkness, making the uneven terrain even more hazardous. And trust me, alcohol isn’t needed to turn a walk into a perilous adventure here.
- Accommodation Costs: Staying within the village boundaries of Matera? Prepare to pay a premium. The costs inside Matera significantly exceed those of staying outside.
- Limited Daytime Activity: From 2-5 PM, Matera takes a siesta, leaving you with little to do but walk. Many places shut down, restricting your options.
- Church Entry Fees: Unless you’re a devout fan of ancient frescoes, the entry fees to the churches might feel steep. Expect to see some impressive ancient artwork, but also a lot of plain walls.
- Scarcity of Restrooms: Need a bathroom? Good luck finding one unless you’re dining in a restaurant or have a hotel room. Public options are virtually non-existent.
- Lunchtime Disappointment: As for the food, let’s just say it was underwhelming. The sandwiches we tried were lacking in more ways than one. Calling them ‘sandwiches’ feels overly generous.
- My Recommendation: Take in the views, walk around the churches, conquer the steps for the scenery, but don’t bother staying overnight. You can avoid the chaos we experienced by making Matera a day trip.
Tour groups visit the area for the day and leave, saving yourself, your travel budget, and your sanity. Visit, then leave and you won’t have to experience the worst Matera hotel or any of the hostility. ~ Dana XO
My Take On The Worst Matera Hotel
Considering the numerous negative aspects and overall disappointing experience, it is strongly advised to avoid staying at the Matera Hotel. From subpar customer service to lackluster amenities, this accommodation fails to meet the basic standards expected by any traveler. Save yourself the frustration and seek alternative options for a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Matera.
Dana Vento: Award-Winning Travel Writer & Seasoned Explorer
Join me on a journey through the world’s wonders. From compelling stories at Niagara Falls to accolades in writing and Instagram photography, my global adventures are rich with experience. Each article offers a slice of life—from cruising the seas to exploring vibrant Aruba—turning every trip into an award-worthy adventure. Here’s to a life of exploration and unforgettable stories
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