Where to Book a Stay in Milan, Italy

Housed in a commanding building with a 1940s-inspired design, the Square is a five-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo. Rooms are achingly stylish – perfect for fashion-conscious Milan – with sleek, marble bathrooms and plush beds lined with fine fabrics. It has a standout restaurant, Arya, serving modern Italian dishes. In the summer, tables are taken to the roof so diners can look out over the city.

On Via Monte Napoleone, the city’s famous upscale shopping street, the well-heeled Milanese frequent Italy’s finest fashion houses. Join them with a stay at Velvet Grey Boutique Hotel, a design-led getaway in the heart of the action. Its rooms are minimalist, clean-lined and expertly executed. And if you tire of flicking through major labels (and major prices), the Royal Palace of Milan and Duomo are less than a 10-minute walk away.

Once a Milanese railing house, this boutique hotel got a makeover from Italian designer Aldo Cibic. Now it’s one of the most aesthetically interesting buildings in Milan’s Tortona and Navigli areas. Throughout you’ll find his works and furnishings; all can be admired and some can be bought. When temperatures allow, head to the cobblestone courtyard, which has café-style seating and comfy sofas. Nearby, the Navigli neighbourhood offers some of the best nightlife in Milan.

At its core, Combo Milano is a hostel. But calling it so does it a disservice – it goes far beyond your typical budget stay. This design-led bannister house has a captivating courtyard where travellers enjoy drinks and a catch-up. Its kitchen is open until late, serving a modern, international menu. Stylish and practical dorms cater up to six. Based in Navigli, it’s also in one of Milan’s most popular neighbourhoods. Nearby attractions include canal-side bars and fashionable thrift stores.

In the heart of Navigli, the Art Hotel is the perfect base to explore this storied district. The canals lie at the end of the street. It’ll take you seconds to get there. But if exploring its trattorias and jazz clubs gets too much, the hotel has a spa on the sixth floor with views over Milan. Relax in its Turkish bath, sauna and sensory showers. Rooms are modern and comfortable. You’ll also find pieces from contemporary artists including Salvador Dalí and Enrico Baj across the hotel.

Over its history, the Enterprise Hotel has demonstrated a chameleon-like ability for change. Once a factory, then a printing works, now it’s a character-filled four-star hotel. Guests stay in rooms featuring custom-made walnut furniture and marble bathrooms. There’s also a spa and wellness centre on the seventh floor with large windows. Views travel to the Alps and over the top of the Duomo.

Once the grand abode of the Ranza family, Senato is now a boutique hotel of monochromatic wonderfulness. Bright white neoclassical rooms are covered with a Milanese-style herringbone oak floor. Bathrooms are Carrara marble and come with an exclusive scent from Tonatto Profumi. If you can pull yourself away, head to the hotel’s traditional Italian café, Senato Caffè, for an aperitivo in a snug booth. There’s also an intimate patio – heated in the winter – with hydrangea and ginkgo biloba trees. The hotel sits near Milan’s fashion district and the Duomo.

In Milan, shopping is an art. And there’s perhaps nowhere better to be than Via della Spiga. Here the world’s most famous brands compete shoulder to shoulder. Della Spiga Suites is right in the thick of it. Its rooms are muted, clean but tasteful. Premium toiletries and coffee-making facilities are a nice bonus. However, it’s likely you’ll be spending most of your time exploring the nearby wonders. Aside from the shopping, La Scala and the Duomo are easily reached on foot.

Luxury & Liberty is sandwiched between two of Milan’s main draws: La Scala and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. You can also be at the door of the Duomo in under three minutes. The newly renovated, one-bedroom apartment is decorated with Art Nouveau flourishes. It has a small but well-appointed kitchen (ideal if you’d prefer to spend your euros elsewhere). An inner courtyard is the place to be in the summer.