The 10 best hotels in Milan

This hotel opened in the prime location of Porta Genova in the Spring of 2021 and immediately caused a storm with excited travellers. Choose from a deluxe or executive suite, with a continental breakfast, bathrobes and slippers. There’s also a gym, lounge and speakeasy bar, which is host to an array of organic wines and Italian snacks. 

The Mandarin Oriental Milan oozes pure luxury, what with its location being in not one, but four 18th-century buildings in the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion area. Within the hotel, the sleek, contemporary décor has an Asian flair, and the 104 guest rooms are outfitted with custom-made Italian furnishings, desks and marble bathrooms. The suites are top-of-the-line and decked out with designer furniture. If you want to be pampered, the spa has an indoor pool, a 24-hour gym and all manner of relaxing treatments.

Room Mate Giulia is fresh, fun and design-minded, found just steps away from the Duomo. Interior design comes from Spanish/Italian designer-of-the-moment Patricia Urquiola, who decked out each of the 85 industrial-chic rooms in greens, oranges, and blues, with flat-screen TVs, desks and coffeemakers. The lobby invites lounging and socializing, with its bright lighting and art-lined walls. Downstairs, there’s a small gym and sauna in the basement.

Bustling Milan is often said to lack true Italian charm. Not so at Hotel Principe di Savoia, which dates from 1927 and exudes old-world glamor and sophistication. The 301 guest rooms are decorated in luxe Italian style, with neutral tones enlivened by jewel-toned pillows and bedspreads, lush patterned carpets and brocade drapes; modern conveniences include desks and mini-bars. Bathrooms, lined in marble and mosaics, feature elegant Acqua di Parma bath products. The penthouse Club 10 Fitness & Beauty Centre offers a pool, superlative spa treatments and a high-tech gym, all with amazing city views.

Originally opened in 1863, the Grand Hotel et de Milan has a rich musical history; Verdi lived off-and-on in the hotel for 20 years (and died there in 1901), and many musicians from the nearby La Scala opera have stayed and practised at this hotel. The 95 understatedly elegant rooms feature antique furniture, parquet floors, richly patterned rugs and chandeliers, along with marble bathrooms stocked with luxe Etro toiletries. Even the fitness room is charming, with floor-to-ceiling windows through which gym-goers can glimpse lots of greenery. The lovely Don Carlos restaurant pays tribute to Verdi and has walls lined with art from La Scala’s museum, along with well-prepared traditional Italian cuisine. Fabulous (if pricey) shopping on Via Montenapoleone is right outside the door.

Found near the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and around the corner from La Scala, the Park Hyatt is renowned for its luxury vibe and spacious rooms. Many of the 106 guest rooms have large windows overlooking the city, along with a king or queen bed and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and rainfall showers. Going all-out? The higher-end suites are spectacular, with private terraces and whirlpool baths. Matching the elegance of it all, the the in-house Michelin-starred restaurant, VUN Andrea Aprea, showcases local ingredients in its delicious modern Italian dishes.

You’re probably not cool enough for the Armani Hotel—located, as expected, in Milan’s most exclusive shopping district, Quadrilatero della Moda—but it’s fun to pretend while people-watching the fashionistas and wannabes who congregate here. Each of the 95 guest rooms is decorated in minimalist beige-on-beige style and, of course, Armani furnishings. In another cool touch, in-room iPads control absolutely everything, from the TV to the lights to ordering room service. Items in the mini-bars are complimentary, though for libations of the alcoholic variety you’ll want to head up to the Armani/Bamboo Bar, with its stupendous city views.

If you’re in Milan to shop (it is famous for it, after all), the Four Seasons is in the best location for wandering the city’s famous high-end fashion boutiques. Found in a gorgeous former 15th-century convent, the hotel boasts a lovely lobby and an outdoor courtyard for enjoying Aperol Spritzes. There are 118 rooms, decorated in modern Italian style, with patterned fabrics (some suites even have original frescoes), and marble bathrooms with both soaking tubs and walk-in showers.

On a side street near the Duomo, the STRAF has a hip, minimalist vibe with dark, moody rooms, and attracts a youngish crowd. Italian designer Vincenzo De Cotiis incorporated non-standard and recycled materials into his hotel design; rough-edged guest rooms have been constructed of slate, brass, concrete and marble, all warmed up with bright art on the walls. Locals and in-the-know visitors congregate for aperitivi at STRAFbar, made of concrete and iron and filled with ‘70s furnishings and modern art, which often features live music and DJs. Unlike most Milan hotels, a full breakfast is included with every stay.

There are surprisingly few modern design hotels, despite Milan being a modern design city of sorts. Magna Pars Suites is a breath of fresh air for this reason – it’s also a perfume hotel, where fragrances are created on-site and used to freshen up the rooms. It’s located close to the lively Navigli neighbourhood, with chic glass, white and wooden touches. Meanwhile, the 28 large-sized guest rooms include living areas as well as bedrooms, all of which face the lovely inner courtyard. Fashion and music events are often held here, adding to the fun.