These 11 Luxurious Milan Hotels Are the Epitome of La Dolce Vita
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While Rome and Florence may capture the lion's share of mass tourism attention, aesthetes know it’s really all about Milan. A global capital of culture, fashion, and design, the northern Italian metropolis is a sophisticated destination for sightseeing, shopping, and dining.
Italy’s most cosmopolitan city shows off recognizable landmarks such as the Gothic Duomo di Milano, Teatro alla Scala, and Santa Maria delle Grazie, whose Dominican convent conceals the famous Renaissance mural of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Quadrilatero d’Oro—which many liken to Fifth Avenue–meets–Rodeo Drive—has all the major players: Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. The landmark Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II houses many luxury outposts, including a stunning new Bottega Veneta store designed by the brand’s creative director, Matthieu Blazy. Milan is also a financial center and home to the Italian stock exchange. Add to that its mouthwatering gastronomy and high-profile events that draw tastemakers from around the world.
During Milan Design Week—essentially the design equivalent of Milan Fashion Week—ELLE DECOR A-List designers, top magazine editors, luxury furniture brands, and wealthy homeowners with multiple pads to furnish all coalesce. And between the glamorous parties, the bustling Salone del Mobile Milano fairgrounds, and the raucous after-hours scene at Bar Basso, all these aesthetically oriented travelers will need a place to crash. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of stylish hotels that capture the rich architectural, sartorial, and artistic heritage of the city.
Regardless of whether you’re going for a bacchanal of beautiful furniture, a week-long trip to peep masterpieces and eat handmade pasta, or just have a quick stopover before heading to Venice (pro tip: The all-business-class airline La Compagnie operates direct flights from JFK to MXP, making it a convenient and comfortable point of entry), choosing the right accommodation can really make a trip.
“When choosing a hotel in Milan, consider the type of experience you want. The city is more vast than most think and while easy to get around, generally more centrally located properties provide that added level of convenience and walkability. Because it’s quite bustling and busy, you might also want to consider places with a bit more calm and privacy,” advises Sunil Metcalfe, sales director at the luxury travel advisory Black Tomato. “My personal favorite area, the Brera neighborhood, gives you world-class shopping and opportunities to uncover famous artists and fascinating cultural collections. The city center, Quadrilatero d’Oro in the Centro Storico district, and the swishy Montenapoleone are also good options.”
Browse our list of the best, most luxurious five-star hotels in Milan.
Bulgari Hotel Milano
Tucked inside a resplendently renovated 18th-century palazzo on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Brera neighborhood, the luxuriously appointed Bulgari Hotel Milano radiates warmth and tranquility. For two decades, the sybaritic set has favored the garden-laced boutique property’s rarified ambiance. In the rooms, framed sketches of iconic Bulgari baubles nod to the brand’s sparkling jewelry legacy. Of course, the eye-catching elements extend well beyond art. Black Zimbabwean marble, stone from Vicenza, and Bulgari-patterned screens define the jewel-box interiors. The spectacular spa flaunts a long pool edged in pure gold tiles and a mosaic-clad hammam. Il Ristorante - Niko Romito serves up people-watching as delicious as the signature Antipasto all'Italiana and potato gnocchi with red prawns.
Armani Hotel Milano
Consistent with the streamlined modernity of the legendary fashion designer, the Armani Hotel Milano reflects a more minimal aesthetic than its over-the-top neighbors. But don’t mistake understated for uninspired. Bamboo Bar, a gustatory gem cocooned in glass that floats above the twinkling lights and rooftops of Milan, feels like stepping into the inner sanctum of a billionaire who has a passion for Danshari and aperitivo. On the eighth floor, the serene spa seduces with striking views from the pool. The Armani Signature Suite, meanwhile, houses a cinema and a sweeping staircase that conjures visions of celebrities slinking down the steps in impeccably tailored Armani Privé gowns. Speaking of the sartorial set, there’s also a private shopping experience available at the flagship store.
Grand Hotel et de Milan
Surrounded by upmarket shopping in Quadrilatero d’Oro, Grand Hotel et de Milan, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, stands as an exceedingly fashionable landmark with an enduring appeal that dates back to 1863. Redecorated by ELLE DECOR A-list firm DimoreStudio nearly 15 years ago, the current iteration of the Milanese grande dame shows off restored original parquet flooring, rooms with antique dressing tables and ornamental beds, sumptuous fabrics in an array of primary colors, and a chic lounge where jet-setters wearing catwalk-ready ensembles toss back negronis before seeing a performance at Teatro alla Scala. The new Caruso Nuovo Bistrot is lavishly appointed with red silk chandeliers, shiny golden glass tables, and Art Deco upholstery.
Casa Cipriani Milano
Bookings at Casa Cipriani Milano grant outsiders access to an exclusive members-only experience. Grand on an intimate scale, the 15-key bolthole in the historic Palazzo Bernasconi exudes bygone glamour. The level of attention to detail is unparalleled and just what you’d expect from the Cipriani family, who remain actively involved in the hospitality project. Rooms and suites by Florentine architect Michele Bönan feel distinguished with rich walnut boiserie, plush royal blue velvet, and Venini chandeliers. Inside the Pickering Room, one of three restaurants at the property, you may sip bellinis alongside titans of industry or Saudi princesses. At the subterranean spa designed by Studio Apostoli, green onyx lines the walls of the steam bath and French red marble cloaks the vaulted ceilings of the hammam. The elevator even has an upholstered banquette that screams “give me my Instagram influencer moment.” But alas, no cameras are allowed.
Casa Baglioni Milan
Occupying an Art Nouveau building in the artsy Brera district, the newish Casa Baglioni Milan takes cues from the glamor of the northern Italian capital in the 1960s. The midcentury retro vibes are a welcome departure from some of the city’s more grandiose stays. Velvet seating, wood paneling, and eye-catching light fixtures give the lobby plenty of panache. Rooms come together with Rubelli wallpaper, Dedar fabrics, and hand-selected decorative objects from Gala Rotelli. There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Milanese-born chef Claudio Sadler for hand-rolled pasta, hard-to-find bottles, and—of course—plenty of beautiful people (mostly a mix of off-duty models and devastatingly cool Europeans). The see-and-be-seen rooftop boasts 360-degree skyline sweeps and a casual yet polished atmosphere.
Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa
Sometimes you just want to stay somewhere so magnificent and palatial that it looks like a movie set. When the mood strikes to have a main character moment, Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, provides a silver screen-worthy vacation backdrop. Designed, owned, and operated by Italian architect Paola Giambelli, the palace property is a bastion of old-world charm. An enormous Murano chandelier floats above the white marble floors, columns, and grand staircase in the lobby. The elegant milieu coupled with the exemplary service attracts real-life royalty and travelers who wish to be treated as such. The spa cossets guests with pampering rituals, a pool, a hammam, and a sauna. Other high-class pastimes include a coiffure at the hair salon and afternoon tea in the manicured garden.
Hotel Principe di Savoia
Since opening its doors in 1927, Hotel Principe di Savoia, part of the Dorchester Collection, has hosted a string of royals, diplomats, and movie stars. The elaborate fashion week parties are the stuff of sartorial legend. And if walls could talk, we’d imagine the Michael Stelea–designed Presidential Suite would tell tales of socialites’ late-night swims in the intricately frescoed, Pompeii-inspired pool area and diplomats brokering peace deals by the warmth of the living room fireplace. The entire property is truly a masterclass in Milanese elegance. A mix of classical styling and modern touches contribute to the timeless feel. Draped in marble and velvet, the retooled cocktail bar ups the cool factor and pours creative libations to the delight of well-dressed patrons. Other exciting new developments include a guided tour in the steps of famed Argentine-Italian painter Lucio Fontana.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano
Situated in the heart of the fashion mecca, the legendary Four Seasons Hotel Milano is a 15th-century convent brilliantly reimagined for the modern age. With a landscaped courtyard that’s open to the blue sky above, it very much feels like a garden retreat within the city. Tones of celadon and terra cotta bring the outdoors inside. Custom sycamore-burl and pear cabinetry, Fortuny fabrics, and luxuriant Carrara marble bathrooms infuse rooms with residential appeal on par with grand Milanese mansions. A centuries-old Italianate fresco hand-painted by Giocondo Albertolli adorns the ceiling in the aptly named Fresco Suite. The polished spa supplies a relaxing setting for aromatherapy rituals inspired by iconic Italian cities. Guests can even get a fresh chop at the Rossano Ferretti Hair Salon.
Portrait Milano
In a city filled with stalwarts, the Ferragamo family–owned Portrait Milano injects vitality into the steady hospitality scene. The austere outer corridors of one of the oldest seminaries in Europe belies the richness of the property’s interiors. Plush fabrics, pops of ruby and emerald green, and warm woods add a sophisticated sensuality. Inspired by classic Italian design and brought to life by Michele Bönan, the 73 rooms and spacious suites are injected with larger-than-life grandeur of historic grand mansions while simultaneously channeling the contemporary charm of the present era. Guests can also toss back tipples and savor Kobe beef carbonara underneath the ambient glow of the chandeliers at Beefbar, or choose to indulge in a little retail therapy at a branch of the luxury store Antonia.
Mandarin Oriental, Milan
The Mandarin Oriental, Milan—with a location that’s both hidden away and minutes from all the action—collects loyalists with its blend of sophistication and relaxation. True to the brand’s ethos, rooms and suites blend feng shui principles and contemporary Italian panache (check out the Fornasetti Suite, pictured here!) and are beautifully outfitted with B&B Italia desks, oak floors, regal purple fabrics, and photos by Antonio Salvador. Marble bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs. In the Mandarin Garden, black-and-white geometric tiles, lush greenery, and sapphire velvet seating create a vacation-worthy refuge for lunch, aperitivo, and dinner. Beneath the buzz of the city, the gorgeous underground spa offers bespoke rituals that aim to combat jet lag and promote sleep for frequent fliers. Genuine, no-detail-too-large-or-small hospitality is another point of pride for the hotel.
Park Hyatt Milan
Located just steps from the dazzling Duomo di Milano, the Park Hyatt Milan is one of the city’s most desirable stays. Following the completion of a multiyear refurbishment, the longtime favorite ushered in a new, even more stylish era in its illustrious history. Renovated by architect Flaviano Capriotti, the property puts forth a more contemporary visage that’s anchored by traditional Milanese architecture. In the upgraded signature suites, black wood panels beautifully contrast the soft, neutral palette of cream and beige. Veined marble vanities steal the show in the bathrooms. If you’re not checking in, the reimagined restaurant, Pellico 3 Milano, and chic cocktail bar are snazzy spots to eat and imbibe.
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