As Italy’s fashion and design capital, Milan lives and breathes style. Wherever you go, the mark of artists past and present is evident, from its intricate Gothic basilica, world-class museums and modern architecture to the haute couture shops of the Quadrilatero della moda and ubiquitous street art.
You can feel the creative fervor as you walk from one neighborhood to the next, as Milan rewards visitors who explore the city on foot.
Although it’s a sprawling metropolis, the city’s compact, well-connected center is where its creative energy is most strongly felt.
Beyond the centro storico, neighborhoods such as Porta Venezia, Brera, Porta Genova, and Porta Romana, offer their own distinct personality with shopping experiences, food scenes and accommodations that reflect that personality.
Whether you're visiting for Design Week, Fashion Week, or just a weekend exploring the art, architecture and aperitivo culture, when choosing a place to stay, the accommodation's aesthetic can play a major part in your experience.
Here’s our list of some great places to stay in the city, from trendy boutique accommodations to high-class hotels.
With that in mind, here are our top recommendations on where to stay in Milan, Italy.
When in Milan, sign up for our Insider’s Milan Food Tour
And bookmark our suggestions for day trips from Milan, best places for risotto in Milan and where to eat near Milan’s main sights.
Credit: Grand Hotel et de Milan
Grand Hotel et de Milan
The picture of class and old-world glamour, the Grand Hotel et de Milan has been the haven of opera greats and fashion’s elite for more than 150 years. These halls have been graced by the likes of Giusseppe Verdi and Maria Callas, being just a short walk from the La Scala opera house in the Brera district. The former lived in the 5-star luxury hotel for 27 years, his room now the Verdi Suite that you can stay in for a pretty penny.
The antique decor of the entire hotel, from the rooms and lounges to the terrace and restaurants, will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Milan from the turn of the century, an experience like none other in the city.
There are two on-site restaurants – the elegant Don Carlos with many Milanese classics and the more laid-back Caruso Nuovo Bistrot helmed by chef Gennaro Esposito – as well as Gerry’s Bar, a swanky cocktail bar frequented by La Scala stars and spectators.
Credit: Portrait Milano
Portrait Milano
There’s quite possibly no experience more luxurious than Portrait in the city of Milan, a true palace of pampering. Located between the Quadrilatero della Moda and Piazza San Babila, steps from the Duomo, it is part of the Lungarno Collection of luxury hotels and restaurants.
Housed in a former seminary from the 16th century with baroque architecture, the hotel has 75 rooms and suites situated around a central courtyard lined with a colonnade, where you can find the on-site boutiques and lounge spaces. Rooms at Portrait feel like the private residence of a Milanese designer: understated, luxurious, very Italian.
After a busy day of exploring the city’s famous cultural sites, Portrait is a tranquil haven in the middle of the urban center. It boasts three elegant dining spaces: Beefbar, a meat-based bistrot; Rumore, a lounge bar; and 10_11, a casual dining room and bar that serves everything from breakfast to late-night drinks. Adding to the luxury experience is Portrait’s spa and wellness space.
Travel tip: Bookmark this guide to best restaurants near Milan’s Duomo
Credit: Vico Milano
Vico Milano
This intimate boutique hotel embodies Milan’s bold, design-inspired character with its colorful interiors and quiet luxury. Located on the trendy Corso Genova shopping street and surrounded by some of the city’s best aperitivo spots, it is also a short walk from the Duomo, the Navigli canals and many other sites in downtown.
In the hotel’s seven suites – Suites, Luxury Suites, and Deluxe Rooms – it seems like every detail has been keenly curated, from the Moroccan-tiled bathrooms and wood accents to the selection of antique furniture. While the vibrant neighborhood teems with busy city life outside, inside is a welcoming retreat from the hustle.
The place serves a full breakfast menu, but it's the on-site speakeasy bar and restaurant you won’t want to miss, which carries over the swanky nightlife energy of the surrounding neighborhood. It has the moody atmosphere of a classic speakeasy, with expertly crafted cocktails and a dinner menu that includes reimagined classics from Milanese and Tuscan cuisines.
Credit: Straf Hotel
STRAF hotel
Despite being the sister property to Grand Hotel et de Milan, STRAF takes Milanese glamour in a different direction, embodying the city’s modern, industrial vibe of recent years. Literally steps away from the Duomo, you can see the basilica’s Gothic windows and spires from the balconies of the front rooms.
The building is more than 100 years old, but the interiors are the work of architect Vincenzo de Cotiis, who created a minimalist art installation within the space using rough materials, recycled objects and minimal art pieces.
For the spa-inclined, the hotel has a wellness space with a gym, sauna and pool. In the STRAF restaurant, guests can enjoy an American-style breakfast or pull up a seat for a light lunch. The STRAF lounge bar, on the other hand, has a vintage vibe and boasts a gallery of “Arte Povera” artworks. Seating spills out onto the street, soaking in the atmosphere of the busy centro storico. It also hosts live music events and dj sets.
Hotel Calimala
The gem of this chic little hotel in Porta Venezia is undoubtedly the rooftop infinity pool, an open-sky oasis above the bustling city. The 4-star hotel has an air of quiet luxury with retro touches.
The range of rooms offers a variety of spaces, including a balcony room, a terrace jacuzzi suite and the sunny penthouse. The location in Porta Venezia is ideal for anyone interested in experiencing one of the best neighborhoods for nightlife in the city, a vibrant area full of second-hand shops, great cafes for a lazy breakfast, bars and restaurants. It’s also well-connected to all the major sites in Milan, either by foot or public transportation.
For anyone looking to soak in the refined elegance of the hotel, they serve lunch and dinner in the rooftop Five Salon & Terrace restaurant and cocktails in the Calimala Caffe or up at the Pool Bar.
Credit: Maison Borella
Maison Borella
At Maison Borella, you’ll find one of the only “water-front” accommodations in the city. This boutique hotel is located in a ringhiera building, a typical Milanese apartment building lined with balustrades overlooking the inner courtyard. The homey, relaxed feel of the common spaces carries over to the warm and welcoming rooms and suites.
The Navigli canals are a bustling area lined with shops, bars and restaurants, frequented by locals and tourists for a pleasant stroll or canal-side aperitivo. Located on the Naviglio Grande, this hotel is steps away from the Darsena, the urban lake where the canals meet and a popular hang out spot for Milanese, especially on sunny days. It is well-connected to other parts of the city as well, via the Porta Genova station and trams that circumnavigate the city. The area is also well-known for its vintage market every last Saturday of the month.
The hotel also houses a restaurant, Bugandè, where you can enjoy a meal in the cozy dining room or on the patio of the inner courtyard.
Travel Tip: Curious to taste Milan’s aperitivo culture? Book a bespoke Milan Food Tour.
Credit: Casati 18
Casati 18
Casati 18 is a recently renovated hotel with a simple but elegant atmosphere, a soothing environment for escaping the buzz of the city. The 80 rooms are luxurious and filled with pieces from classic Italian designers, such as Flos and Molteni. Casati 18 has all the typical amenities of a large hotel: a gym, meeting spaces, and an on-site restaurant that serves lunch and dinner, as well as a lounge bar.
The location certainly can’t be beat, in the heart of Porta Venezia, a few blocks from one of the city’s busiest shopping streets, Corso Buenos Aires. The neighborhood is famous for its LGBTQ-friendly nightlife, excellent selection of restaurants, and nearby Giardini Indro Montanelli park, home to several of the city’s museums. Three subway lines converge in this area – red, green and yellow – and the Central Station is a short walk away. For anyone venturing out on foot, Duomo is a pleasant 30-min walk away through the park and Brera art district.
Credit: Un Posto a Milano
Un Posto a Milano
Un Posto a Milano brings a little bit of the essence of the surrounding countryside into the city as one of the only old farmhouses swallowed by the urban sprawl to survive today. It was converted to a cultural hub where you can find a bar and restaurant, book shop and flower shop and the 4-room guest house. It regularly hosts events, including live music nights, a weekly farmers’ market and Design Week exhibitions.
Porta Romana is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in for anyone looking to experience a bit of the slower, local life of the city. It is less touristy than the other centrally located neighborhoods but has charming tree-lined streets filled with shops and restaurants, home also to Fondazione Prada, the QC Terme spa, and Teatro Franco Parenti. The nearby yellow subway line will take you to Duomo in a couple stops.
Travel Tip: Bookmark our guide for the best day trips from Milan.
