Summer in the Med, no matter you are going, isn’t complete without a stop in Milano, for the dining, the shopping, the museums, and perhaps this northern city’s spectacular suites. The best luxury hotels of Milan and their amazing accommodations are the subject of this week’s issue, so read on, enjoy and start planning your Italian holiday.
1. Armani Milan
2. Bulgari Hotel Milano
3. Excelsior Hotel Gallia
4. Four Seasons Milan
5. Hotel Principe di Savoia
6. Mandarin Oriental Milan
7. Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milano
8. Park Hyatt Milan
1. Armani Milan
According to Forbes Travel Guide, “The luxurious aesthetic of Giorgio Armani is brought to life at Armani Hotel Milano, where you can wholly immerse yourself in the designer’s vision. At first glance, the A-shaped building’s 1930s façade appears somewhat austere, but step inside and the glossy elegance that has come to define the brand creates instant attraction. Ascend to the upper levels, where the bar and restaurant are located, and take in the stunning views of the Duomo and the city skyline in the company of a sophisticated crowd. From the namesake Italian restaurant to the beautiful spa, the 95-room hotel is sleek and luxurious. If you find yourself inspired, pop into the Armani store in the same building. Everything here is incredibly refined — a true reflection of the fashion icon’s impeccable taste.”
Travel + Leisure adds, “Elegance, comfort, and sophistication are hallmarks of Armani style, and all are reflected in the Italian designer’s first hotel. Giorgio himself designed each element, and the result is a comforting, sensual atmosphere. Both the restaurant and the lounge have floor-to-ceiling windows that offer fantastic views of the rooftops and terraces of Milan. Downstairs, there’s the Armani superstore, which includes books, flowers, chocolates, a cafe, a Sony electronics store, and the Milanese outpost of famed Japanese restaurant Nobu.”
Armani Presidential Suite
The Armani Presidential Suite is located on the sixth floor, offering wonderful views of the city skyline. Measuring 2,045 sq,ft., the suite features a large private terrace, comfortable living room with cocktail cabinet, dining room with kitchen, guest lavatory, private study, large bedroom, and walk-in wardrobe.
See more suites at Armani Milan.
2. Bulgari Hotel Milano
The inspectors of Forbes Travel Guide report, “When historic Italian jeweler Bulgari expanded into hospitality in 2004, it chose Milan as of the city to behold its vision for a five-story boutique hotel, where under a clean, black-and-white marble facade with black granite eaves and dyed oak frames, privacy is golden, and opulence is at every turn. Crowned by a private 43,000-square-foot terraced garden — a rare commodity in downtown — Bulgari Hotel Milan is tucked away on a private cul-de-sac steps from Via Montenapoleone’s luxury shopping quarters. It is far from sleepy, though — fashionable patrons continue to populate the buzzy bar and restaurant.”
Conde Nast Traveler writes, “In summer, the jet-set gather in Bulgari’s gorgeous gardens shaded by horse chestnuts and plane trees to sip cocktails at one of Milan’s best aperitivi – there is, after all, no better place to see or be seen. Inside, all is sleek black Zimbabwean marble, bronze and Burmese teak wood. In the rooms, light floods in through soaring windows while handsome bathrooms have granite bathtubs and flashes of travertine stone as well as, of course, divine Bulgari toiletries.”
The Bulgari Suite
There’s a rooftop private garden of 2,088 sq.ft. to complement the 2,260 sq.ft. interior of the two-bedroom Bulgari Suite. Designed by architect Flaviano Capriotti, the suite offers 360-degree views of Milan’s skyline. Additional décor touches include a library of rare art and design books, furniture from Antonio Citterio’s Flexform and Maxalto collections, custom drapes and headboards displaying the Bulgari eight-point star and plush carpets by Altai.
More suites at Bulgari Hotel Milano.
3. Excelsior Hotel Gallia
Travel + Leisure says, “An architectural jewel of belle epoque grandeur, this icon was completely renovated in 2014 by Milanese designer Marco Piva. There are 235 grand rooms, as well as 53 suites with a mix of impressive amenities: panoramic views, bespoke furniture, butler service, and even a private spa. Interiors are clean, bright and simple—a total embodiment of modern Italian design. With several restaurants, bars, a cigar lounge, wine cellar, and Shiseido spa, guests will feel the glamour of the hotel’s history still going strong.”
Forbes Travel Guide calls Excelsior Hotel Gallia “an art deco landmark and a chic beacon for Milan’s latest it neighborhood, Porta Nuova. Recently renovated with a nod to the decadence of the Jazz Age, its gorgeous design and tech-forward accommodations bring Gatsby into the 21st century. Part of the Luxury Collection group, the 1932 hotel is now composed of the original building and a connected, new glass-and-steel tower — the combination of old and new is all thoroughly modern Milan at its finest.”
Katar Royal Suite
Among Italy’s largest suites, the 10,765 sq.ft. four-bedroom Katara Royal Suite showcases Milanese grandeur along with two spacious seventh-floor terraces. One features a dining setting with panoramic city view, while the other —spanning 2,690 sq.ft. —offers a solarium, home to a pagoda spa with a whirlpool and a steam shower with chromo lighting.
A private elevator, or diplomatic entrance, leads directly into the suite, where an expansive marble-lined living room houses sitting and dining areas populated by modern B&B Italia furniture, Murano glass chandeliers, and bulletproof windows with electric blinds. In the sitting area, distinguished furnishings reside alongside technologies including a 65-inch Loewe LED television, a home-theater sound system with a subwoofer, a PlayStation, Xbox, as well as a DVD and Blu-ray player.
The dining room hosts up to 15 guests. There’s a fully equipped kitchen—stocked with Limoges porcelain and French crystal. The adjacent Studio Meeting Room accommodates up to 12 people for exclusive and private meetings.
More suites at Excelsior Hotel Gallia.
4. Four Seasons Milan
Conde Nast Traveler says, “Tucked quietly between Via Monte Napoleone and Via della Spiga, Italy’s two most exclusive shopping streets…this restored historic building with centuries-old frescoes, columns and vaulted ceilings also includes 15th-century Renaissance cloisters, a landscaped courtyard and an 18th-century lobby fireplace (attracting) A-listers such as Taylor Swift and Victoria Beckham; Anna Wintour, Selena Gomez and Kim Kardashian.”
Forbes Travel Guide adds, “In the center of Italy’s fashion capital sits the stylish Four Seasons Hotel Milano, housed in a former 15th-century convent. The hotel exudes Old World charm with its frescoes, stone accents and vaulted ceilings. A far cry from its humble beginning, the hotel is surrounded by the most luxurious names in fashion, making it an ideal location for those looking to fill their suitcases with the season’s latest designs. Sophisticated Mediterranean fare at the restaurant and bespoke cocktails at the lobby lounge mean you don’t have to leave the hotel to be a part of the city’s fashionable scene. And the luxurious new spa is a true respite from the city’s busy, buzzy streets.”
Penthouse Suite With Terrace
Take a private elevator to this 1,518 sq.ft. rooftop suite, opening onto a garden terrace for al fresco entertaining. It’s not the largest suite, but you will still love it whether you are relaxing in your spacious living room, watching a movie in the media room, or hiding away in the expansive primary bedroom. For additional guests, this suite may be booked with a second or third bedroom.
More suites at Four Seasons Hotel Milan.
5. Hotel Principe di Savoia
Forbes Travel Guide says, “For nearly a century, the neoclassical Hotel Principe di Savoia, Dorchester Collection has been the benchmark hotel for all of Milan. In spite of its large size (10 floors, 301 rooms and suites), the Principe has the atmosphere of a boutique hotel — intimate, personal and private. Elegantly decorated in late-19th-century finery of lavish damasks, rich colors and collectors’ antiques in marbles and woods, the Principe is also wholly 21st century with an eye for technology and a ‘your wish is our command’ concierge team.”
It continues, “If the Principe’s unabashed style makes it the landmark destination for fashion royalty, its rooftop spa, hush-hush vibe and enviable address (out of the center traffic and just a 10-minute drive, vintage tram ride or metro trip to the fashion capital’s epicenter, via Monte Napoleone) create the perfect getaway for a very private affair.”
Travel + Leisure adds, “The grande dame of Milan’s luxury hotels has long been a favorite of well-heeled international travelers. Rooms are decorated with old-world elegance integrated with modern technology. For extra indulgence, opt for one of the 44 signature suites; the top floor Presidential Suite comes with its own fireplace and Pompeii-style spa, which includes a whirlpool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and private swimming pool.”
Presidential Suite
The 5,400 sq.ft. Presidential Suite offers three en suite bedrooms, a formal dining room and a Pompeii styled swimming pool. Working fireplaces add to the warm ambience, while your private terrace on the hotel’s 10th floor offers a prime view over the rooftops of Milan.
More suites at Principe di Savoia.
6. Mandarin Oriental, Milan
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “Mandarin Oriental, Milan mixes timeless Milanese design with Mandarin’s signature Oriental charm and legendary hospitality. At the hotel, four interconnected 18th-century palazzos house 104 rooms and suites that overlook cobblestone streets and tranquil courtyards. As a former bank headquarters, the understated main entrance is on a discreet backstreet next to La Scala opera house, near the Duomo and Via della Spiga (where luxury shopping dreams are made). Designed by Italian Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Interiors, its stylish contemporary-meets-classic look nods to Old World Milan with its feet firmly planted in the present. A luxe spa and hair salon, a refined Italian restaurant a bar with a lovely alfresco courtyard add to the considerable appeal to this glamorous new hotel.”
Conde Nast Traveler recommends its top rated hotel in Milan for those of you seeking hip luxury. It notes, “Locals and guests flock to the Mandarin Bar & Bistrot to sip on inventive cocktails in a bold geometric setting (in summer the action moves outside to the leafy courtyard). Michelin-star Seta, Executive Chef Antonio Guida crafts creative Italian dishes influenced by his Apulian roots. Wellness seekers make a beeline for the soothing spa complete with a swimming pool, saunas and steam rooms, and holistic treatments that combine the best of Eastern and Western therapies”
Presidential Suite
The 1,615 sq.ft. Presidential Suite has a four-poster bed and a showpiece bathroom. High ceilings and glass doors offer striking views of via Monte di Pietà. This suite offers a living area and a kitchen, and the bathroom has a deep blue Brazilian marble floor, a central bathtub and ambient lighting.
More suites at Mandarin Oriental Milan.
7. Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milano
Travel + Leisure writes, “The spacious, light-filled guest rooms of Palazzo Parigi are available in two styles: contemporary Italian or classic French. All come with a private balcony or terrace, and are decorated in warm tones of ivory, beige, chestnut, and black, creating a relaxing, tasteful atmosphere. The hotel is located in the bohemian Brera neighborhood, with its many stores and restaurants, though the neoclassical atmosphere of the hotel’s Gourmet Restaurant or its stylish Caffé Parigi may tempt you to just stay in.”
Forbes inspectors report, “Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milano is one of the best examples of Milan’s fluid mix of tradition and style. Opened in 2013 as the city’s first large-scale boutique hotel, Palazzo Parigi is a fabulous stage for design created by architect and owner Paola Giambelli, who combined Paris chic with Milan flair, aiming to herald the renaissance of a city that was originally known as Rome’s austere sister but is now the Italian darling of fashion, finance, and gastronomy. Located on Corso di Porta Nuova, an area rich in contemporary art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, the luxury hotel is within an easy 10- to 15-minute walk in any direction of the city’s must-visit destinations: the fashion Quadrangle, Via Monte Napoleone and architectural time-piece Villa Cecchi Campiglio, and the list goes on.”
Penthouse Suite
The 1,937 sq.ft. Penthouse offers an added 861 sq.ft. of terrace to view both sunsets and sunrises. Modern, sleek designs combine with elegance, beauty and good taste to create a remarkable and unforgettable experience. Generous living spaces include a dining area, master bedroom and a bathroom created from Calacatta Vagli marble which includes a Jacuzzi with chromo therapy. Connecting rooms can create a three-bedroom configuration.
More suites at Palazzo Parigi Milano.
8. Park Hyatt Milan
According to Forbes Travel Guide, “The first Hyatt hotel on Italian soil, Park Hyatt Milan is landmark of Milanese style and elegance. Appointed in warm, porous Italian travertine limestone and black marble inlay, the 1,032-sq.ft. palazzo dates from 1870 — it was once a bank. The exterior is Baroque elegance at its finest, while inside the boutique hotel luxurious minimalism reigns. It opens onto Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass-encased, 19th-century shopping arcade dotted with luxury boutiques and restaurants bridging the historic Teatro alla Scala opera house with the gothic Duomo cathedral.”
The top-rated hotel in the city by U.S. News, it says, “Guest rave about VUN, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its Italian cuisine. What’s more, the property houses an outdoor lounge, a bar and a lobby lounge, as well as a spa, a 24-hour fitness center, shops, and meeting spaces. And in the 106 guest rooms and suites, travelers will find Italian marble bathrooms with rain showers and separate tubs, Tai Ping rugs, Murano glass lamps, large windows with city views, free Wi-Fi access, walk-in closets, and Travertine work desks.”
Presidential Suite
The hotel’s most luxurious suite offers 1,722-sq.ft. of space, with one to three bedrooms, a kitchenette, dining table for 10 people, living room, Italian marble bath, and a 495-sq.ft. large private terrace. The suite boasts Murano lamps, Jim Thompson fabrics, and Tai Ping carpets.
More suites at Park Hyatt Milan.
