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There are grand hotels, and then there’s Hotel Principe di Savoia – the kind of place that fully leans into old-world Milanese glamour and somehow gets away with it. Open since the late 1800s, this grande dame near Piazza della Repubblica still feels delightfully theatrical, with velvet upholstery, polished marble floors, bespoke frescoes and enough chandeliers and gilded detailing to make even the most design-jaded guest pause for a second. It’s unapologetically luxurious, but in a way that works.
The rooms channel that same sense of old-fashioned opulence, with rich fabrics, heavy drapery, marble bathrooms and little details that nod to Milan’s cultural history, including framed sheets of music from La Scala operas like La Traviata and La Bohème. There’s a reason for that connection: when the hotel first opened, its location was chosen because it sat less than ten minutes by horse-drawn carriage from the opera house. More than a century later, the atmosphere still evokes the elegance of opera-night Milan.
What stops the hotel from feeling stuck in the past, though, is how well it balances all that grandeur with genuinely thoughtful comforts. Breakfast at Acanto, the hotel’s main restaurant, is every bit as lavish as the interiors themselves, with a dedicated croissant station, excellent coffee and a surprisingly strong vegan selection. A wellness menu is also available for in-room dining should you feel like you’ve had one cotoletta alla Milanese too many, while on the tenth floor, the rooftop gym, complete with sprawling views over Porta Nuova’s skyline, is a refreshing change from the usual basement fitness centre.
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Meanwhile, downstairs Il Salotto functions as a lively open-plan lobby where fashion people, business travellers and impeccably dressed Milanese drift in and out throughout the day. The space also hosts rotating exhibitions: during our visit, striking imagery by fashion photographer Andrea Varani lined the walls, adding another layer to the hotel’s connection with Milan’s creative world. There’s also a shuttle service into the centre, though honestly, part of the charm here is lingering inside the hotel a little longer than planned.
Neighbourhood
Set near Piazza della Repubblica, the hotel sits between Milan’s historic centre and the gleaming skyscrapers of Porta Nuova. Brera, Porta Venezia and the Quadrilatero della Moda are all within easy reach, whether by taxi, metro or the hotel shuttle.
Nearby
- Porta Venezia: For natural wine bars, Liberty-style architecture and some of Milan’s liveliest aperitivo spots
- Porta Nuova: For contemporary architecture and skyline views
- Teatro alla Scala: For one of the world’s most famous opera houses
Time Out tip
Book lunch or dinner at Acanto. Young chef Matteo Gabrielli reworks Lombard and Italian classics with a lighter, more contemporary touch, with a menu that truly delivers in flavours and dishes you’ll think about long after your meal. Whatever you do, don’t skip the tableside tiramisu, assembled to order with fresh moka coffee, mascarpone and all the ceremony you’d hope for in a hotel like this.
DETAILS
Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 17, 20124, Milano
Expect to pay: From £491 per night
Closest transport: Milano Repubblica train station is a one-minute walk.
Book now: Click here
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