The best hotels in Milan, reviewed by local experts

Mood: Cinematic, fashion-forward and impossibly chic, but with enough warmth to stop it feeling intimidating.

Portrait Milano feels less like a hotel and more like a Milanese landmark. Opened in 2022 inside one of the world’s oldest archiepiscopal seminaries, the sprawling 16th-century complex pairs cinematic architecture with the sort of discreet luxury Milan does best. Interiors by Michele Bönan channel mid-century Milanese apartments, with walnut wood, cardinal-red velvets, brass fixtures and quietly glamorous rooms overlooking the silent internal loggia. Still, much of the appeal lies in everything happening around the rooms. The vast courtyard, now known as Piazza del Quadrilatero, buzzes from morning espresso through late-night cocktails, with 10_11, Beefbar, Rumore bar, Antonia and SO-LE Studio – all part of the hotel – drawing a fashion-heavy crowd throughout the day. 

Location perks: Right between the Quadrilatero della Moda, San Babila and Porta Venezia, with luxury shopping, galleries and some of Milan’s best restaurants all within walking distance.

Time Out tip: Even if you’re not staying overnight, come for aperitivo in the courtyard around golden hour. Order a negroni at Rumore and watch Milan’s fashion crowd circulate beneath the colonnades.

Address: Corso Venezia, 11, 20121, Milan
Expect to pay: From €1390 per night for luxury rooms 
Closest transport: San Babila Metro Station (lines 1 and M4) is a two-minute walk.

The mood: Grand and luxe with friendly, accommodating service

This updated Belle Époque gem is strategically placed for seeing all that Milan has to offer – and doing it in style. With over 180 sleek, well-appointed guest rooms and suites boasting modern amenities alongside handcrafted pieces by local ateliers, the Excelsior Gallia is a luxurious retreat from the relentless bustle of the city. The common areas are grand, paying homage to the timeless elegance of the Art Deco era, with furnishings crafted exclusively by Italian masters. A world-class spa, swimming pool, rooftop restaurant and bar, and anything-is-possible service makes this property a winner.  

Location perks:  Stazione Centrale, a major transport hub, is just across the street, making it easy to hop on the metro or a tram and zip around Milan, or take a fast train to Italy’s other world-class cities.

Address: Piazza Duca d'Aosta, 9, 20124, Milano
Expect to pay: From €465 per night
Nearest transport: Centrale Fs Station (lines 2 and 3) is a two-minute walk.

The mood: Modern, clean budget-friendly hotel.

This conveniently located B&B will appeal to anyone looking for a clean place to lay their head after a day of pounding the cobblestones. It offers immaculate, minimalist rooms with essential amenities in a contemporary environment. The Wi-Fi is fast and free, breakfast is available at a reasonable price, and some of Milan’s major attractions are within striking distance on foot or via the nearby metro stop. Far enough away from the tourist crush around the Duomo, this property is in a residential neighbourhood full of bars, restaurants, and cafes frequented by locals.

Location perks: Close to the Sant’Ambrogio Basilica in a residential neighbourhood, and a short walk to the city centre and the buzzy Navigli district, though there’s a convenient metro stop nearby too.

Time Out tip: Milan’s famed “Last Supper” is nearby, located inside the Santa Maria delle Grazie church It is always better to book well ahead of time, but checking last-minute on the official website on Wednesdays is also an option.

Address: Via degli Olivetani, 4, 20123, Milano
Expect to pay: From €138 per night
Nearest transport: S. Ambrogio station (line M4) is a six-minute walk.

The mood? Chic, modern

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.  

Location perks? These beautiful architectural suites were made for falling in love with Milan, putting you right near the magnificent Palazzo Reale. 

Address: Corso Genova, 11, 20123, Milano
Expect to pay: From €523 per night
Closest transport: De Amicis station (line M4) is a four-minute walk. 

Mood: Sophisticated Milanese style with a strong design focus

The Rocco Forte Group’s first Milan property arrives with serious pedigree, but The Carlton avoids feeling like just another luxury opening. Following a major renovation led by creative director Olga Polizzi alongside designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, the 71-room hotel leans into a richly layered vision of Milanese elegance: think Carrara marble, jewel-toned interiors, Murano glass lighting, bespoke wallpapers and custom furnishings inspired by great Italian design masters like Gio Ponti.

The rooms are spacious by Milan standards, with larger suites feeling more like refined city apartments than hotel accommodation. Some overlook Via Senato, others the quieter internal courtyard, while upper-floor rooms come with charming rooftop views across Milan. Dining is equally refined, from the Art Deco-inspired Spiga restaurant to the light-filled Café Floretta beneath its soaring glass ceiling. Add an excellent Irene Forte Spa, a lively cocktail bar and one of the best addresses in the Fashion Quadrilateral, and you have a hotel that feels both deeply Milanese and refreshingly contemporary.

Location perks: Right between Via della Spiga, Brera and San Babila, in the heart of Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral.

Time Out tip: Book an express treatment at the Forte Vita Bar inside the Irene Forte Spa before aperitivo. The high-tech facials are designed for maximum glow in minimum time – very Milan.

Address: Via Senato, 5, 20121, Milan
Expect to pay: From €1043 per night for a sleek-designed room, depending on the season
Closest transport: San Babila Metro Station (metro lines 1 and M4) is a four-minute walk.

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, in-house Michelin-starred restaurant, VUN Andrea Aprea, showcases local ingredients in its delicious modern Italian dishes.

Location perks? Soak in the five-star luxury with a limousine pickup when you land in Milan.

Address: Via Tommaso Grossi, 1, 20121, Milano 
Expect to pay: From €1258 per night
Nearest transport: Cordusio station (line 1) is a two-minute walk.

The mood? No scrimping on the style front. 

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.

Location perks? Some rooms offer views of the courtyard and Milan Cathedral so it's well worth requesting. 

Address: Via Andegari, 9, 20121, Milano
Expect to pay: From €1557 per night
Nearest transport: Montenapoleone metro station (line 3) is an three-minute walk.

The mood? Networking nomads.

Possibly the chicest addition to the Milan hotel scene, 21 House of Stories Navigli is a guaranteed stay to remember. From the bespoke interiors – and exteriors – to the next-level buffet breakfast, that's included by the way. Need a little more? The on-site poolside bar is one for the night owls who like a little unwinding after a hard day's work. Speaking of work, why not join the co-working space at 21 House of Stories? Designed for digital nomads on the go, this hotel has thought of it all. 

Location perks? You're only 5.6 miles from the nearest airport and walking distance from popular sites such as the San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore.

Address: Via Ascanio Sforza, 7, 20136, Milano 
Expect to pay: From €226 per night
Nearest transport: P.Za Ventiquattro Maggio station (buses 71 and N15, and tram 3) is a four-minute walk. 

The mood? Colour block central. 

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.

Location perks? A mere 10-minute stroll to Milan's Fashion District.

Address: Via Silvio Pellico, 4, 20121, Milano 
Expect to pay: From €348 per night
Nearest transport: Duomo metro station (lines 1 and 3) is a one-minute walk. 

The mood? Statley glamour.

Slicing through Milan's bustling metropolitan exterior like velvety butter is this opulent hotel where true luxury meets Milanese design. The 19th-century-inspired rooms carry boatloads of Italian charm in the form of gold trimmings, draped curtains, rich linens and marbled finishings. When you're not pounding the piazzas or musing at The Last Supper, Hotel Principe Di Savoia is the perfect place to unwind – from the Turkish bath to the lounge bar, every moment here is exquisite. 

Location perks? Once you've gone for a dip in the indoor pool lined with frescos, there's no question as to whether life truly imitates art. 

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 17, 20124, Milano 
Expect to pay: From €545 per night
Nearest transport: Turati metro station (line 3) is a nine-minute walk. 

The mood? Contemporary, classic.  

Formally the home of famous composer Guiseppe Verdi, this 18th-century manor is no stranger when it comes to the art of refinement. Each of the 95 room are lavishly decorated to capture a timeless elegance. Think parquet floors, richly patterned rugs, paintings and chandeliers. Food being one of the many revelries here in Italy, you can bank on irresistible dining at on-site treasure Caruso Restaurant with a veranda looking out over Manzoni and Montenapoleone so you can people watch til your heart's content. 

Location perks? Moments away from La Scala Opera House. 

Address: Via Alessandro Manzoni, 29, 20121, Milano,
Expect to pay: From €610 per night
Nearest transport: Montenapoleone metro station (line 3) is a one-minute walk. 

The mood? The interior masterpiece.

Practice your best model-off-duty look at the Armani Hotel complete with a bar, spa, restaurant and fitness centre no less. Too cool for the majority of us who could only but dream of crashing here in this 1930s build relished with understated glamour and sophistication up to the eyeballs – but if the price is right, you won't be disappointed. Clad in neutrals, glossy blacks and soft whites, this designer haven does therapeutic and style in equal measure. Rooms also feature both a bathtub and shower for those who can't decide. 

Location perks? You'll be in the epicentre of luxury fashion. 

Address: Via Alessandro Manzoni, 31, 20121, Milano
Expect to pay: From €1229 per night
Nearest transport: Montenapoleone metro station (line 3) is a one-minute walk.

The mood? A quiet haven in the Quadrilatero. 

Situated in the heart of Milan's luxury fashion district – we're talking couture – this former 15th-century convent has undergone quite the transformation into 118 understated luxury rooms centred around a square-shaped courtyard whose well-manicured shrubs boast an uncanny symmetry. Rooms are bright and airy with high ceilings, frescos and period furniture. Oh, and pooches are welcome too (as long as they're small).

Location perks? Everything from facials and yoga sessions to cooking classes and a chocolate room.

Address: Via Gesù, 6-8, 20121, Milano
Expect to pay: From €1495 per night
Nearest transport: Montenapoleone metro station (line 3) is a four-minute walk.

The mood? Edgy, urban, minimalist. 

On a side street near the Duomo sits the STRAF – a hip, minimalist boutique hotel with dark, moody rooms – quite the crowd-pleaser among a youngish crowd. That's all thanks to forward-thinking Italian designer Vincenzo De Cotiis whose use of non-standard and recycled materials has created a chic industrial playground of sorts, and we absolutely dig it. 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. Unlike most Milan hotels, a full breakfast is included with every stay.

Location perks? The happy-hour-ers can take full advantage Bar STRAFS live music, installations and all-round welcoming vibes.

Address: Via S. Raffaele, 3, 20121, Milano
Expect to pay: From €383 per night 
Nearest transport: Duomo metro station (lines 1 and 3) is a three-minute walk. 

The mood? White on white.

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.

Location perks? Along with pleasant aromas, this blissful family-owned hotel brings you fine dining, fitness and spa facilities, a terrace and a library - ideal for those who looking for a quiet retreat. 

Address: Via Vincenzo Forcella, 6, 20144, Milano
Expect to pay: From €255 per night 
Nearest transport: P.TA Genova FS metro station (line 2) is an eight-minute walk. 

The mood: Dramatic and striking. 

Contrasting with the deep-rooted urban energy of Milan, Aethos fronts a pastoral style in a refreshing defiance from the city's typical hotel aesthetic. Located on a courtyard next to the Naviglio Grande Canal, this place stands alone in its pursuit of peak coziness – primarily achieved through its resemblance to a lived-in drawing room with an eclectic range of ornaments and furniture that's been collected over several decades. Eye-popping patterns and bold-coloured walls are a running theme, with boho elements adding further depth to the stylish sports-themed bedrooms. Aside from being impeccably designed, the hotel caters to foodies – and specifically fans of reimagined Milanese fare – with ZAÏA, a restaurant which sets out to explore the origin of Italian cuisine. The Doping bar is a low-lit retro haven serving creative cocktails derived from time-honoured classics. 

Location perks: 5 minutes away from the many bars of Porta Genova. The metro and tram stops are also nearby. 

Address: P.za Ventiquattro Maggio, 8, 20123, Milano
Expect to pay: From €240 per night 
Nearest transport: Navigli bus stop (bus 1000) is less than a minute walk. 

The mood: Technicolour fun. 

Ever tried to imagined how someone in the sixties would visualise a 'futuristic hotel'? Nhow is probably the closest you'll get. Blending retro and modern, this hotel lets out its playful side with its rainbow colour palette and mismatched space-age decor. It also has a unique collection of contemporary art on display and a stylish restaurant where the chefs get creative with Milanese cuisine. The fully-exposed terrace boasts a panoramic bar for dramatic effect, surrounded by beanbag-like seating for the ultimate chill session; relax by the pool with a drink and take in the sweeping views. Breakfast is a particularly large buffet with balance, with everything you can imagine from fresh fruit to doughnuts and cooked options. 

Location perks: Within Milan's lively district of Tortona, just steps from MUDEC museum and 10 minutes from Porta Genova train station.  

Address: Via Tortona, 35, 20144, Milano
Expect to pay: From €143 per night 
Nearest transport: Via Solari Via Stendhal tram stop (tram 3) is a five-minute walk.