10 stunning cheap hotels in Milan

This smart and surprisingly quiet hotel couldn’t be more centrally located—right near the Duomo—and the comfortable rooms are spacious and well-equipped. Service is also exceedingly friendly; you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink and a smile. Each of the 27 air-conditioned guest rooms comes with a desk and a mini-bar, plus a large-sized bathroom with shower, tub, or both; some have their own small terraces. Though breakfast is available only through room service (at an extra charge), there are plenty of cafes in the area to grab your own. 

In a former industrial-space-turned-hotel filled with modern art, this lively place to stay offers sleek modern rooms and a fun location near the Navigli canal district. The 246 modular guest rooms are all white with pops of colour; only junior suites and up come with desks and mini-bars. There’s also an in-house restaurant and bar—the latter by famed designer Karim Rashid—as well as a small gym and hammam (steam bath). Massages are available in the rooms after a hard day of Milan shopping. 

Within walking distance to both the Duomo and Navigli (about 10 minutes to each), this clean, comfy hotel has a convenient location and a low price for Milan. The 37 simple guest rooms, with wood floors and plaid curtains, include air conditioning and mini-bars, while deluxe rooms come with a coffee maker, a bathrobe and slippers, plus complimentary soft drinks. Unlike many Milan hotels—especially ones this well-priced—the continental breakfast is free, which adds to the great value of this hotel.

This quirky little hotel with very friendly service has an excellent location on a side street near La Scala and the Duomo. The 30 wood-paneled rooms are simple but modern, many with art deco lamps and animal prints on the walls behind the beds; all rooms come with mini-bars, coffee and tea makers, and air conditioning. Though bathrooms are on the small side, most have jets in the shower so you can enjoy a sort of “standing Jacuzzi;” some feature whirlpool tubs, too. A full breakfast buffet is included with the reasonable rates.

Directly opposite Milan’s central train station, this boutique hotel with a hip vibe has fun public spaces enlivened with street art and funky sculptures. The 299 small but stylish guest rooms feature black-and-white cinematic photos on the walls and a cool feel. The fun extends to the Clash Restaurant, which serves up international dishes to a young crowd, while at the lobby bar, a DJ spins tunes till late in the evenings. Two terraces—a fifth-floor space with sun loungers and a twelfth-floor rooftop terrace—as well as a garden outfitted with oversized bean bag chairs are perfect places to rest after a hectic day of sightseeing. 

Though this contemporary hotel near Milan’s Central Station is a bit less “budget” than some, if you can swing it, it’s worth paying a little bit more for amenities such as a small gym and an in-house restaurant; there’s also a spa with underground baths, though day use costs extra. The hotel’s striking façade features windows lit up in many different colours—you can control the colour of your window from a switch in your room. The 140 guest rooms, in soothing neutral tones with plenty of wood, all come with desks, mini-bars, air conditioning, and slippers. The Bistrot serves Mediterranean cuisine, and there’s also a café for lighter fare.

Though you won’t find a lot of extras at this little hotel located directly above a McDonald’s, it’s really all about the location—on the edge of the hip Navigli canal district. Décor is fun and bright, with lots of black, white and red, and though there’s no real lobby, you’ll likely be out trying all the wonderful restaurants and bars in the area to mind too much. Guest rooms, heavy on the wood and with photographs of Milan on the walls, come with showers only; some rooms have balconies to people-watch the cool kids roaming below. There’s also a small bar if you can’t be bothered to go out for a drink—though wandering the jam-packed streets is half the fun.

Literally down the street from Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece “The Last Supper,” this charming family-owned 19th-century guesthouse is furnished with antiques and has a private courtyard perfect for relaxing. The 16 comfortable guest rooms feature patterned bedspreads and hardwood floors, as well as spacious bathrooms; there are a number of single rooms ideal for solo travelers. Though amenities are few (no mini-bars, restaurant or gym), service is warm and attentive, and a lovely breakfast spread is included in the price.

Though the out-of-the-way location won’t win any awards for charm or convenience, this simple, modern property prides itself on being organic, from the eco-friendly lights to energy use from renewable sources; even the breakfast focuses on zero-mile foods. Guest room colours and décor are inspired by nature, from forests to glaciers, and come with air conditioning and mini-bar; bathrooms include showers only. There’s a small wellness area with sauna, relaxation room, and showers, but it costs 10 euros extra per hour to try it out.

An easy walk to both the main train station and Corso Buenos Aires for shopping, Hotel Mediolanum Milan features a clean, modern design with bright rooms and quirky art. The 51 rooms have boldly coloured wall accents, paintings, chairs and bedspreads, along with desks and parquet floors; all come with mini-bars and air conditioning. Controls in the superior and deluxe rooms let you adjust the colours of the lights depending on your mood to “balance your chakras”—a fun touch. The included buffet breakfast offers a good selection to start your day off right.