Design Hotels - Southern Italy

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My friend is staying at this place and it looks pretty cool! Looks like a LL property to me ;-)

sextantio le grotte della civita: authentic, luxurious, italian design hotel

Restored from the abandoned and decaying ancient caves in the Basilicata village of Matera in Southern Italy, Sextantio The Civita Caves offers guests the opportunity to re-evaluate their interpretation of authenticity. Daniele Kihlgren, the Swedish-Italian entrepreneur, hotelier and philanthropist, spearheaded the campaign to resuscitate the caves, breathing new life into them while honouring and highlighting the lives previously spent dwelling in their depths.

Situated in the proverbial arch of the Italian boot, Matera is not a village widely known by foreigners as it has been historically impoverished and therefore entirely localised. The importance of maintaining the traditional local aesthetic and preserving the existing architecture is thus intensified in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kihlgren and his partner, Margaret Berg, have created 18 impeccable rooms in La Civita, the oldest part of the sassi, composing a concoction of integrated traditional design made from local materials with minimalist contemporary amenities where necessary. In order to provide its guests with proper standards of luxury, the site was meticulously taken apart, entirely wired and piped and finally reassembled with each stone replaced in its original location. The result is an unparalleled marvel of beauty providing a truly once in a lifetime experience.

[danielboldea]

Wow! What a unique, minimalist property! Looks like they are getting great reviews. Kind of reminds me of Chateau d'If...

Thank you for sharing!

[LL_Travelfan]

Chateau d'If? We loved Chateau d'If but not to stay there... Only Count Monte Cristo had the dubious privilege, and he couldn't wait to get away....
No, this hotel could be located in one of the many hill top villages in Tuscany we just finished visiting. Looks like a nice property.

[danielboldea]

I was referring to the shape of the room and the bare stone walls, not the overall location of the hotel. My comment was not meant to be derogatory, just an observation. I love all things unique and I believe this property definitely brings something new to travelers.

If Chateau d'If were ever turned in to a boutique hotel, I am sure it would do very well! With it's views of Marseille, it's history, the size of the "rooms/cells" (quite large - puts many Euro hotels to shame), and the need for a water transfer, I'm certain it would be a travel hot spot!

[LL_Travelfan]

I took your comment the way it was meant.
You are quite right, that if Chateau d'If would ever be turned in to a hotel, it would be a fantastic place, full of history and quite unique.
While spending time in Marseille a few years ago, we stayed at the "Petite Nice" Passedat hotel, a Relais&Chateau hotel which a 3-star Michelin restaurant right on the water with a fantastic view of Chateau d'If. It served the best Bouillabaisse I have ever tasted. Gérald Passédat - Le Petit Nice - Marseille - hôtel 5 étoiles - un restaurant 3 étoiles :