The best hotels in Milan
On our latest trip to Italy, Milan ended up being our last pitstop on our trip away. It actually ended up being cheaper to fly out of Milan than Rome to return home, which was strange, but I'll take it. I had never been to Milan; however, it was always on my bucket list as it's known as the fashion capital of Italy. So, with this in mind, being the last stop, I wanted to stay at one of the best hotels in Milan to end my trip on a high.
Quick Links
| The best hotel in Milan | Mandarin Oriental |
| Cheapest 5 star hotel in Milan | The Château Monfort |
Where to stay in Milan
When it came to where to stay in Milan. We wanted to stay in the cooler areas where the locals usually stay. We also wanted to be near a train line to zip around if we didn't stay in the city centre. So here are the different areas around Milan.
The Duomo area
When you go to Milan, especially for the first time, you can't no't visit the Duomo. Due to this, the best hotels in Milan are near the Duomo. The prices at the restaurants are a bit higher; however, you are close to all the high-end shopping stores and the fashion outlets. Plus, you will be close to other things to do, like the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You will find a lot of people here spinning around on the mosaics in the centre. This is because if you put your right heel on the bull's testicles and spin clockwise, it's meant to give you good luck. Go early to avoid the crowds and influencers here.
Brera
The Brera area is just north of the Duomo and has a very artistic vibe. It's known as the artists quarter and for up-and-coming brands but also boutique fashion brands. A lot of the coolest hotels in Milan are here, and there are some excellent restaurants without some of the tourist tax. You can walk to the centre in about 10 minutes.
Navigli
Then you have the Navigli area. This is a bit farther south of the city, near the canal area. Here you will find a lot of bars and nightlife. It's very good for younger travellers, and there are quite a few clubs. To get into the city centre, it takes about 30 minutes to walk or to get the train.
Porta Nuova
Then there is the Porta Nuova area, which is known as the business district. This is directly north of the city, very close to the train station and has some really sleek architecture. It's also very well connected to transport. You can walk to the centre, but when I was there, sometimes it was just easier to take the metro around to save your feet. This is a good area to stay at you can take the train to Milan airport here.
How we select the best hotels in Milan
So in terms of how we actually select the best hotels in Milan. We have family in Rome and Milan and they gave us the low down on where to stay in Milan that I talked about. The had also stayed in some of the best hotels in Milan and gave us their advice.
So we looked at the location, we didn't want to be too close to the station, but maybe a short walk to the station for the noise. We also liked those that were in the heart of the city for convenience. We checked out reviews on the service and amenities. We also like those hotels in Milan that had modern luxuries, but also those restored buildings like older palaces. Also, we looked at all the amenities, did they have pools, did they have a spa and maybe a Michelin restaurant.
The best luxury hotels in Milan
So when it came to the best hotels in Milan, we started with the luxury hotels in Milan. ones that had been around for a while or brand new ones. Here we found fantastic service and little touches alongside lots of amenities. Here were my top picks.
Hotel Principe Di Savoia
One of the best hotels in Milan for luxury is Hotel Principe di Savoia in the area of Porta Nuova. What I liked about this hotel was the Italian charm with fantastic hospitality. This was an example of one of the rooms; they were huge and lots of different colours, plus a very comfortable bed.
They have a huge indoor pool, a terrace and a garden. You can also book in at the spa for a facial, body treatment and nail care treatment. On top of that they have babysitting and pet sitting.
For food, they have a really nice Italian restaurant and also a really funky bar to get some cocktails.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Principe Di Savoia.
Park Hyatt Milano
One of the best hotels in Milan near the duomo is the Park Hyatt Milano. It's literally a 4 minute walk and right next to Galleria so you can avoid the rush hour there. The Park Hyatt is a 5 star hotel in Milan with 100 rooms.
In terms of the rooms they are very large, check out the picture above, very modern and simplistic. You can also choose one that has a terrace.
For ammenities this is really where they shine. They have a wellness spa, jacuzzi and also a Turkish bath.
They have 2 restaurants, including Pellico 3 Milano a fine dining restaurant. Then, in the evening, check out their bar Mio Lab. Here you can have cocktails, and they have a DJ that pairs well.
Find out more information and check the prices for Park Hyatt Milano.
Magna Pars - L’Hotel à Parfum
Magna Pars - L’Hotel à Parfum is part of the small luxury hotels of the world. It is surrounded by trees, flowers and a hidden garden. The location is in the Navigli area, so close to the canal. The hotel was actually built in a perfume factory from the owners' love of perfume and hospitality.
Each room, as you can see, has subtle colours and oak wood plank floors. They include sofas, tables, and a bookcase. What is different is that each of the suites is inspired by a floral note in line with the history of perfumes.
The staff service is amazing, they can help with baby sitting services and airport shuttles. I personally like the manager's reception.
For dining, they have their own restaurants on site that overlook their garden. They also have a cool bar and roof terrace.
Find out more information and check the prices for Magna Pars - L’Hotel à Parfum.
Château Monfort
Next up for the best hotels in Milan is the Château Monfort. I absolutely love this hotel as it has 20th-century art nouveau architecture and some of the funkiest rooms I have ever seen.
You really feel at home in this hotel, and the rooms are very nice. Here is an example above. Each room is designed a bit differntly and has a sense of fantasy and wonder. Also, they have amenities like a couples spa with treatments. Also, a restaurant and bar are on-site.
In terms of location, they are just east of the centre and will take 15-20 minutes to get to the Duomo by train or walk.
Find out more information and check the prices for Château Monfort.
The best boutique hotels in Milan
So some of the best hotels in Milan are also boutique. What I love about boutique hotels is that they are usually smaller and have a lot packed in such as amenities. The number one thing that I like is the service; sometimes the boutique hotels in Milan do a lot of research before you arrive to make sure your stay is absolutely perfect.
Portrait Milano
One of the best boutique hotels in Milan is the Portrait Milano. With only 73 rooms, every room has so much attention to detail. The portrait is also a member of the leading hotels in Milan.
In terms of the room, here is an examples. very modern bathroom and more classic bedroom. A huge bed, pillow menu that I love and big tv's to relax after a days shopping. The bathrooms are also heated and have designed toiletries.
This hotel is also known for its wellness. They have an indoor pool open till 8.30 pm that is very relaxing. They also have a longevity spa with lots of treatments. The staff are also very personable and have babysitting services.
Find out more information and check the prices for Portrait Milano.
Casa Baglioni Milan
In between the Brera and Porta Nuova district is the Casa Baglioni Milan, one of the best hotels in Milan. It is a 5 star property inspired by Milan in the 1960's.
They have a wide range of room, see picture above for an examples. Very confortable modern and the bathrooms have rainfall showers.
They also have a 24-hour gym and a rooftop bar. I like the rooftop bar as it has panoramic views of the city, and during summer, it has shade. A great place for an aperitivo. Then the thing that sets it apart from others is a Michelin-starred restaurant called Sadler.
Find out more information and check the prices for Casa Baglioni Milan.
Sina The Gray
Next up and part of the small luxury hotels of the world is Sina the Gray. This 5-star hotel is a couple of minutes' walk away from the Duomo and has just 21 rooms. I really like the Art Nouveau facade.
In terms of the rooms, you can see in the picture very modern and some have floating beds. Some of the rooms even have Turkish baths or a small gym. So a very unique experience for a hotel.
In terms of dining, they have their Le Noir restaurant, and you can hold events at their terrace area. So great for birthdays and other events.
The staff at the hotel are multilingual and can help with booking tours, limo services and valet parking. Be sure to have a cocktail and an aperitif at their G Bar. Sina the Gray is one of the best hotels in Milan.
Find out more information and check the prices for Sina The Gray.
The best hotels in Milan with the family
Next up are the best hotels in Milan if you are travelling with a family. When I was looking for these, I was looking for spacious rooms or connecting rooms. Amenities like a games room, maybe a pool or playground. And lastly, babysitting services, this is so important when you are travelling. So here are my recommendations.
Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milan
Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milan is one of the best hotels in Milan for families. Everything about this hotel is luxurious and full of marble. Just check out that staircase! The palace is very well located in the Brera area
They have just so many amenities such as a pool, a jacuzzi, and a Finnish sauna. They aslo have a range of treatments in their Moroccan sanctuary and a steam bath.
In terms of the rooms, they have normal rooms to suites, and their cheapest room has a bath, and the bathroom is all marble. It can also connect to another room if you are with the family. If you are bringing children, they have babysitting services.
Find out more information and check the prices for Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milan.
Hotel Viu Milan
Just north west of the city is Hotel Viu Milan, another 5-star hotel in Milan. The reason I chose this place is the location, as it's a quieter area, but also the amenities. You can see in the picture that they have a rooftop pool with 360-degree views of Milan.
They also have 2 onsite restaurants, a gym and a spa to book treatments, so brilliant after shopping. In terms of the locations, I say it's a bit further out, but you can actually take the tram into the city, which is nice to do with the family. It's also very close to other restaurants and other bars.
In terms of the rooms at Viu Hotel Milan, you can get a family room with 2 single beds and a double bed. They are very modern and are made to measure. I particularly like that the bathroom is made of natural products and stones. Then of course they have babysitting services.
Find out more information and check the prices for Hotel Viu Milan.
Mandarin Oriental, Milan
I couldn't finish this section without talking about one of the best hotels in Milan, the Mandarin Oriental. This is one of my favourite hotels for service. Location is perfect, in the Brera area by the theatre if you want to go for a show.
The hotel also has a spa and has one of the largest swimming pools in the city centre. It's slightly darker and so relaxing, so great to go in the morning or in the evening to relax.
For dinner, they have a 2-star Michelin restaurant called Seta, or you can pop nearby. Then, for the rooms, they have babysitting and free cribs included. The rooms are full of luxury, and the family room has 2 king-sized beds, or you can choose a connecting room. Obviously marble bathrooms.
Find out more information and check the prices for Mandarin Oriental, Milan.
The best cheap hotels in Milan
Now with Milan, it is a pretty expensive city for hotels, and I also wanted to include some alternative places. Some of the best hotels in Milan aren't 5-star, and you can save a bit of money. What I was looking for in these were all the essentials, such as reasonable prices, close to a station, have their own bathroom. Maybe you want to save some money and go designer shopping. So here are my recommendations.
Melia Milano
First up is Melia Milano. Despite being 5 star its still one of the best hotels in Milan for value. The reason is that the location, it is west of the city and takes an hour to walk. However, it is right next to the metro so it actually only takes 15 minutes to get to the Duomo.
What I love about this hotel is the room. They are very large and furnished. You can see the huge bed in the picture. They also have all the essentials, such as 2 bars a 24-hour gym and also babysitting
Find out more information and check the prices for Melia Milano.
Palazzo Segreti
This is a boutique 4-star hotel just west of the Duomo, very close to Brera. It only had 18 rooms, so it's hard to find a room.
The hotel is very unique, with the standard rooms having a jacuzzi tub close to the bed. It's a very Milan property with the design inside, and each room is slightly different.
I also like that they have a same-day laundry service and a hair salon that you can book into before going out. The service is amazing from the moment you step out of the car, you are welcomed. Also, the cooked-to-order breakfast was a nice touch.
View the prices of Palazzo Segreti.
Magville
Next up, and I love the facade of this hotel, is Magville. The picture is the back where you can sit down and relax. Magville is a boutique hotel built in the 20th century and was once a villa. Location is perfect, just east of the city down a quiet street.
They have many services, such as nearby parking if you are bringing a car, airport shuttles, free temporary storage and laundry services.
The rooms at Magville are set over 4 floors and start at singles, going up to superior doubles. Wooden floors with large beds and clean bathrooms. They are minimalistic and a great hotel in Milan
Find out more information and check the prices for Magville.
A map of the best hotels in Milan
I made a map of the best hotels in Milan so you could get an idea of where to stay in the Milan city centre. This includes areas like Porta Nuova, Brera, and Navigli.
So I hope you liked my blog on the best hotels in Milan. If you have been to Milan and stayed anywhere else. Please leave a comment on the box below so I can share more hotels to my readers.
The best hotels in Milan FAQ's
What is the best hotel in Milan?
It's a tough one as there are so many, but I think it has to be the Mandarin Oriental due to how luxurious everything is, the services and the amenities. They also cater very well for families.
What are the coolest hotels in Milan
The coolest hotels in Milan would be Magna Pars - L’Hotel à Parfum due to the origin of the hotel and where it's based. Also, the Château Monfort because every room is a bit different and really opens your mind up.
What are the best hotels in Milan near the Duomo
Out of all the hotels in my blog, the ones closest to the Duomo would be Park Hyatt Milano, Sina The Gray and the Mandarin Oriental.
What are the best hotels in Milan city centre
My favourite hotels in Milan's CBD would be Hotel Principe Di Savoia, Château Monfort, Casa Baglioni Milan, Mandarin Oriental and Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa Milan.