Milan may not have the same breadth of classic palatial hotels as cities like Paris and London, but if you were forced to pick just one classic five-star stay in the city for a first-time visitor, it would have to be the Principe di Savoia. While the hotel boasts an impressive history—it recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and previous guests have included everyone from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor—it isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The decor here may be old-world (think heavy sash curtains, antique furniture, and marble galore), but the service and dining offerings are firmly alla moda.
If you fancy fine dining, there’s Acanto for that—a gorgeous dining room, partly in a conservatory-style setting, offering inventive riffs on traditional Lombardy cuisine overseen by the 33-year-old chef Matteo Gabrielli—but really, you’ll want to find a table at the Thierry Despont-designed lobby lounge or the moody bar, where all the action happens. (Expect top-tier people watching during fashion week.) And if you do happen to be visiting during Milan’s fashion or design weeks, then make sure you pay a visit to the 10th-floor spa with an impressively spacious pool and gym area—and get yourself booked in for one of their world-class facials. —L.H.
Aethos Milan
Photo: Courtesy of Aethos Milan
This 32-room boutique hotel and private club is catnip for aesthetes, decorated with vintage Italian furniture and original artworks. (Even better: Most rooms have private balconies, which are well-suited for a quick aperitivo before heading out for the evening to explore the neighborhood.) The property is tucked within the Navigli district, famous for its picturesque waterways and conveniently located near the Naviglio Grande canal.
The on-property restaurant, ZAÏA, takes cues from the Mediterranean (from Puglia to Beirut), with share plates including amberjack ceviche, homemade pici with three tomato varieties, and wild-caught croaker. If your stay lands on a Monday, make an appearance at the weekly cocktail masterclass where you can learn to craft a new beverage. Aethos Milan also operates like a private members’ club, which includes access to club spaces, gym and wellbeing sessions, food & beverage discounts, and the ability to use 23 other affiliate global clubs. Members can catch up on emails with a coffee on the sun-filled terrace, watch a film in the cinema room, or savor a long dinner in the members-only garden. —Nicole Kliest
Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Photo: Casa Brera
