Stefano Bertelli
As befits Italy’s fashion capital, there are plenty of ultra-stylish hotels in Milan to book for a mini-break in Lombardy.
OUR FAVORITE HOTELS IN MILAN
It may be more industrial than Italy’s prettiest cities such as Florence and Venice, and has fewer historic sites, but it still has plenty of charm if you know where to look for it.
Cultural highlights include the Gothic duomo, La Scala opera house, Castello Sforzesco – one of Europe’s largest citadels and now home to a series of museums – and the Dominican convent, Santa Maria delle Grazie, where you will find the work of Leonardo da Vinci. The last supper The painting.
Some of the city’s most modern sights include the futuristic architecture of Zaha Hadid, Michelin-starred restaurants, designer showrooms and the flagships of the world’s great fashion houses.
Milan’s most stylish hotels include the city’s Mandarin Oriental, which has an entire suite adorned with Fornasetti accessories. Or rub shoulders with celebrities in the hallowed bar of the Principe di Savoia hotel.
And the Four Seasons Milan is housed in a 15th-century convent — its quirky features include frescoes and vaulted ceilings. Read on for our pick of the best hotels in Milan…
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1
Hotel Principe di Savoia
Conveniently located near Milano Centrale train station, the Principe di Savoia is one of Milan’s most luxurious hotels, with art deco details, opulent interiors adorned with velvets and silks, hand-painted frescoes and large suites with marble and mosaic bathrooms.
There’s a spa and fitness center on the 10th floor, with a pool, rooftop terrace, and gym showcasing the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Keep your eyes peeled for the celebrities at the bar and be sure to try the delicious Italian dishes on offer at Acanto, which has a veranda overlooking the garden and an 18th-century fountain.
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Enjoy the feeling of famiglia in this family-run hotel – the Ranzas have kindly opened up their neoclassical residence for the rest of us. The five-story boutique hotel is as stylish as expected, with geometric patterns, marble floors, a black-and-white palette, and brass lamps.
There is a swimming pool in the courtyard on the ground floor and a café where you can experience the authentic Italian coffee culture. It’s in the quiet cobbled streets of the fashion district, within walking distance of the Giardini Indro Montanelli.
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Just behind the city’s iconic Duomo, Rosa Grand’s facade matches the cathedral’s pink marble. Inside, there’s locally made Italian furniture, abstract artwork, and accents of gold, pink, and silver. The sprawling hotel spans four buildings, with room options including luxury apartments. It may be central, but the hotel, in a calm and quiet square, is surprisingly peaceful.
You will be sure to eat well: there are three restaurants whose menus are the result of a collaboration with the food emporium, Eataly, which defends local products and small suppliers.
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Set in a former factory in a gentrified industrial area, Nhow Milano is as design as its surroundings, with motivational quotes on the mirrors, exhibits in the common areas, and generally uplifting interiors.
The Zona Tortona and Porta Genova neighborhoods are on your doorstep, and the Armani/Silos Museum is a five-minute walk away. Be sure to call Mag Cafe to try their creative cocktails. The bars along the Navigli canal are also a 20-minute walk away.
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5
Hotel Four Seasons Milan
The Four Seasons Milan outpost is housed in a 15th-century convent, with frescoed halls and vaulted ceilings, some of the period features preserved. The nuns’ herb garden is now a cloistered courtyard perfect for cooling off after days of shopping and sightseeing.
Happy hour has a laid-back DJ soundtrack, and spritzes are fashionista-approved. It is close to many of Milan’s top designer boutiques and a short walk from the famous La Scala opera house.
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6
Mandarin Oriental, Milano
Fans of Fornasetti plates will especially appreciate the Mandarin Oriental’s Fornasetti Suite, which is decorated with the house’s most unabashed Italian pieces, including a specially designed cocktail cabinet. The restaurant has two Michelin stars and serves Milanese classics, such as saffron risottos and breaded veal. There are two courses to have a drink beforehand.
The spa has a swimming pool, gym, beauty salon and hairdresser to ensure you look as fabulous as the fashionistas in town. It is in the chic shopping district of Montenapoleone, a 10-minute walk from the Duomo.
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seven
NH Milano Palazzo Moscow
Housed in a neoclassical building that was once a train station, the NH Milano Palazzo Moscova still has references to its past in the form of an antique luggage rack. The hotel also has a terrace, a small spa and an excellent restaurant. Particularly convenient if you are visiting during the hot summer months, the hotel is close to the peaceful Parco Biblioteca degli Alberi.
The Porta Nuova business district setting means you’ll also be close to Corso Como and its many stylish shops.
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This hostel offers great value stays right in the center of Milan at a fraction of the price of other hotels in the area. It’s popular with cool kids, with a bar that hosts regular concerts, as well as plays and art exhibitions, frequented by locals as well as tourists.
The boutique hostel is close to all the major sights, with colorful and quirky interiors that feature vintage mirrors, vibrant wallpaper, and instruments hanging from the walls. Drinks are cheap and there’s even free food in the kitchen, thanks to the hospitable owners.
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Brought to you by the same family behind Tuscany’s spectacular Castello di Vicarello, Vico Milano is an understated boutique hotel set in a courtyard behind Corso Geneva. Impeccable interiors feature modernist chandeliers, concrete staircases, Persian rugs, Balinese wall hangings, and pink Fez glazed tiles. Pieces from the family’s art and antique collection are also on display.
The guesthouse was once a factory that produced Legnano racing bikes. Spaces to linger include the library, cozy lounge, and a bar where you can sample organic wines and classic Italian snacks.
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This boutique bed and breakfast in the Porta Garibaldi neighborhood has just four rooms, plus a leafy terrace for shade and siestas. Decor includes artwork from the owners’ private collection, an art deco table in the lobby, and armchairs from the 1950s, plus tomes of art and photography to flip through for inspiration.
The owners are happy to share their insider insights into the city and can arrange short trips to the lakes or to designer boutiques for bargain shopping.
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