Hotel San Nicola

Why it’s on the Edit

Hotel San Nicola is a four-star hotel inside Palazzo Cagnazzi, which the hotel calls one of the most representative historic buildings of Altamura. It stands in the old town, in the Alta Murgia and Castel del Monte area, and its English page uses the words boutique hotel.

The draw is a historic palazzo you can sleep in, with local stone and a clear list of room sizes. The price band is 1 of 5, an estimate, since no official rate was found. A meeting room gives it a business side as well.

The hotel says that staying in the old town means living the city without a car.

The rooms

There are seven room types, and the site gives a size for each. Doppia Small is 15 m² with a double bed, Doppia Standard is 18 m² with a double bed or twin beds, and Doppia Superior is 20 m² with frescoed vaults. Tripla Standard and Quadrupla Standard are both 25 m², the second one ideal for families.

The Junior Suite is 30 m² with a double Jacuzzi, for two plus one. Its balcony looks over the small entrance square and the bell tower, and it has a kettle with tea and coffee. On request the hotel arranges flowers, breakfast in the room, wine and a late check-out until 12:00.

The Suite Deluxe is 40 m² with separate rooms, for up to four plus one.

All rooms have air conditioning and a minibar, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the building. All rooms are non-smoking. A cot can be requested, subject to availability.

Eating and drinking

The restaurant is inside Palazzo Cagnazzi. The hotel says the kitchen works with local ingredients, tradition and the seasons, and evokes the scent of Altamura bread and Puglian extra virgin olive oil.

Half board, meaning dinner included, is offered depending on the period and on the restaurant’s availability. Breakfast is included in the rates that list it, with sweet and savory products inspired by local tradition.

Gluten-free products can be arranged on request. The hotel also has a meeting room with a projector, a screen and Wi-Fi.

The setting

The hotel is in the historic center of Altamura. By the hotel’s list, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the cloister courtyards called claustri and the historic bakeries of Pane di Altamura DOP are all reachable on foot. The bread is made from durum wheat grown in the Alta Murgia and baked in wood-fired ovens.

The hotel also sells experiences: a guided itinerary in the old town from prehistory to the Middle Ages featuring the Altamura Man, visits to the historic bakeries, tastings of Puglian wines, and visits to farms and dairies. It names the Pulo di Altamura and the Alta Murgia park among places to see nearby.

A pool, a garden and a spa are not confirmed here.

Good to know

• Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 10:30.
• Public car parks are nearby, and the hotel asks guests to call before arriving for access and parking.
• Luggage can be left before check-in and after check-out.
• The hotel lists a Junior Suite with a double Jacuzzi.
• A pool, a spa, a gym, pets and opening months are not confirmed here.
• Price band: 1 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Travelers who want a few nights in a historic palazzo in Altamura, to walk the old town and make day trips by car to Matera, Gravina in Puglia and Castel del Monte, will be well placed. Families can use the 25 m² quadruple room, and business guests have the meeting room.

For a pool, a garden or a countryside masseria, look elsewhere. Biomasseria Lama di Luna is an organic farm with a pool on the edge of the Alta Murgia park.

Getting there

Hotel San Nicola is on Via G. Manfredi, in the old town of Altamura, in the Alta Murgia and Castel del Monte area. The hotel names Bari airport as the most convenient, and Altamura station as the reference station.

For Altamura itself you can walk, but you need a car for the countryside, Matera and Castel del Monte. Because the hotel is in the historic center, call it before you arrive for the recommended route, access and parking.