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Find the Italian design capital’s standout hotels in exciting neighbourhoods ranging from its historic centre to areas of bold regeneration
Milan is a thriving, international city that has seen huge regeneration over the last few years, with major renovation projects changing the face of the urban landscape. This is one of the world’s centres of fashion and design; it is also Italy’s financial heart, as well as being a pulsating canvas for creativity and innovation, with the latest fads and trends originating here – and there’s no shortage of neighbourhoods reflecting the city’s many faces, each home to some of the top hotels in Milan.
A stay near Piazza Duomo in the heart of Milan means you’re perfectly located for sightseeing. The most exclusive hotels are found in the elegant district of Montenapoleone, which offers luxury shopping galore, while nearby Brera is the city’s delightful artistic quarter. To the south are the Navigli (canals), one of the city’s foremost nightlife hubs, with the hip, industrial district of Porta Genova nearby. Opt for Porta Venezia if you’re keen to experience one of Milan’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, or immerse yourself in the dynamic financial district of Porta Nuova, which has brought a bold, new energy to the city.
Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.
First-time visitors to Milan inevitably gravitate towards Piazza Duomo, home to the city’s striking Gothic cathedral. Buzzy cafés and shops line the surrounding streets, with the bulk of the city sights found here, including the Museo del Novecento, the Gallerie d’Italia and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, home to da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus. The area is always lively and packed with visitors, offering no shortage of experiences – enjoy an aperitivo at historic Camparino, take a stroll through the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, or sit back and watch a performance at the famous Teatro alla Scala.
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Milan’s most exclusive area, Montenapoleone is where the city’s smartest folk come to shop. The cobbled streets of its mythical Fashion District are lined with haute couture houses, art galleries and high jewellery boutiques – even if you can’t afford any of the luxury items on display, a little window shopping is de rigeur, if only to admire the many eye-popping storefront designs. Pop into historic Marchesi 1824 to refuel with a coffee and a handcrafted sweet delight between one shopping jaunt and the next.
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Arguably Milan’s prettiest district, Brera is the city’s artistic quarter, laced with delightful cobbled streets where family-run boutiques sit beside art galleries and workshops. Its historic Bar Jamaica was once a magnet for writers, artists and intellectuals, although these days the vibe is decidedly more chic than boho. The Pinacoteca di Brera is the area’s top attraction, while the tranquil Giardino Botanico immerses you in serene greenery in the heart of the city. On the third Sunday of the month, the Mercatino di Brera takes over the cobbled streets, with stalls displaying antiques, jewellery and collectables.
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The Navigli, or canals, are the city’s nightlife hub, lined with lively bars and restaurants that come alive in the evenings, when a young Milanese crowd flocks here for aperitivo. By day, it’s relatively quiet, although there’s no shortage of hidden nooks with quirky stores and pop-up shops, while on the last Sunday of the month the antiques market draws quite a crowd. A five- to ten-minute walk takes you to Porta Genova, the city’s industrial district where factories and warehouses have been converted into hip hotels and museums such as Armani/Silos. Independent stores and fashion boutiques dot the area, and there’s a dynamic foodie scene here too, with no shortage of happening restaurants and fashionable bars.
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Along with the Navigli, Porta Venezia is a lively nightlife hub, with Milan’s LGBTQ+ community centred here. You’ll find snug little wine bars, sleek drinking dens, and fashionable restaurants attracting an eclectic crowd. Slicing through the district is Corso Buenos Aires, with its imposing Neoclassical buildings housing high street stores, while magnificent Liberty-style palazzos line elegant Corso Venezia, which leads south towards the historical core. Take a stroll in the leafy Giardini Indro Montanelli, and don’t miss Villa Necchi Campiglio, one of the city’s most beautiful house-museums.
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Stretching from Garibaldi railway station to Repubblica, and encompassing the district of Isola to the north, Porta Nuova is Milan’s financial hub, centred around the glinting skyscrapers of Piazza Gae Aulenti. You’ll see workers in suits, of course, although this is also a district where the Milanese come to play and live. The Bosco Verticale – two residential towers carpeted in thousands of trees and plants – and the garden park BAM Tree Library are both a striking example of the area’s urban regeneration project. The neighbourhood continues to see huge transformation, fuelled by the mushrooming demand for office and residential space.
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Leafy Piazza della Repubblica was, until 1931, the site of the train terminus – hotels were built here to accommodate visitors arriving by rail, with horse-drawn carriages connecting the piazza to the historical centre. The station was subsequently moved a few hundred yards north to where it is today, with the area remaining a convenient choice if you’re travelling by train from Stazione Centrale. Several hotels skirt Piazza della Repubblica, from where it’s an easy walk to reach the financial district of Porta Nuova and the bustling bars and restaurants of Porta Venezia.
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