Sleek and stylish, Milan’s array of exceptional hotels is just as extensive as its vibrant boutique shopping, captivating people-watching, and its rich historical architecture. Famed as both a fashion epicentre and the Italian financial capital, there’s no shortage when it comes to finding the perfect place to rest your head after a day spent indulging in the culture and charm of this European city.
Whether you're seeking budget-friendly accommodations, chic boutique establishments, or luxurious hotels that epitomise the essence of Milan, keep reading below for our comprehensive list of the best hotels to book in this charming city.
Urban List's Top Picks
- Best Location, Aethos Milan and Senato Hotel Milano
- Best Boutique, Palazzo Segreti
- Best Experience, Vico Milano
- Best Design, Room Mate Giulia and STRAF Milan
- Best People-Watching, ME Milan Il Duca
- Best Views, Galleria Vik Milano
- Best Luxury, Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa and Portrait Milano
Best Location Aethos Milan
Located alongside the Grande Canal in the heart of the bustling neighbourhood of Navigli, the prime location of this hotel has you within walking distance of iconic landmarks, canal-side bars and restaurants, so you’ll never be short of things to do.
With 32 rooms on offer, all uniquely designed with a running theme in mind (note the sporting memorabilia), the interiors are a perfect mix of contemporary pieces and vintage furnishing that create a unique and cosy feel. The hotel also houses a private members club, granting you exclusive access to the co-working space, a cafe, a rooftop and a basement gym. The hotel's trendy onsite bar also provides the perfect spot to begin or end your night.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: P.za Ventiquattro Maggio, 8, 20123 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: The hotel's prime canal-side location and in-built members club make this the perfect choice whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.
Best Location Senato Hotel Milano
Located in a 19th-century building, this hotel has been in the same family for four generations. The truly unbeatable location will provide you with a taste of some of the city's best architecture and have you only a stone's throw from many of Milan’s must-visit landmarks.
While the hotel's location places you in the heart of everything, returning at the end of the day will feel like the ultimate retreat thanks to the hotel's array of amenities. Each room has also been carefully curated to ensure an exceptional stay, with everything from a pillow menu to organic teas on offer.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Via Senato, 22, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: Chic and thoughtful, this stay is the perfect place to unwind after a day spent exploring the city
Best Boutique Palazzo Segreti
Another must-visit boutique offering in the Via Dante area, the Palazzo Segreti perfectly blends the charm of a boutique hotel with the service of a five-star experience. With only 18 rooms, the hotel's round-the-clock concierge is always available, ready to help you with everything from local knowledge to theatre reservations.
Alternatively, if you’d rather stay in (and we wouldn’t blame you), you can make the most of the hotel's charming lounge bar, or enjoy your rooms' freestanding bath and luxury amenities.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Via S. Tomaso, 8, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: This boutique hotel delivers everything you’d expect from a luxury stay and more
Best Experience Vico Milano
With only six suites on offer, this hotel is a boutique offering of the best kind. Located at the end of a residential courtyard in the heart of the city, this unassuming building (which was formerly a factory) has been recently renovated into one of Milan’s best boutique accommodations.
Designed to create a home-away-from-home experience, while you’re only located a short walk from some of Milan’s most iconic landmarks, this secluded and intimate accommodation will have you feeling like a local. Carefully curated details such as an after-hours honesty bar and Aesop amenities make this a stay like no other.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Corso Genova, 11, 20123 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: This six-room hotel is redefining the boutique hotel experience
Best Design Room Mate Giulia
Bright and whimsical, Room Mate Giulia is a hotel that exudes a playful and retro vibe. Having been inspired by the interiors of 1960s Milanese homes, both the rooms and communal areas of this stay have been designed to make you feel instantly at home.
While the hotel's prime location, only footsteps away from the iconic Cathedral, is a good enough reason to book this spot alone, it’s the hotel's extensive list of thoughtful extras that set it apart, with everything from portable Wi-Fi devices on offers, to complimentary breakfast and deluxe bathroom amenities.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Via Silvio Pellico, 4, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: While the hotel's prime location is a no-brainer for exploring the city, the beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated bathrooms are a must-see
Best Design STRAF Milan
Edgy and industrial, style-conscious travellers are sure to love the minimalist and cool design of this hotel. Located only a short walk away from some of the city’s best shopping streets, this hotel is the perfect choice for those wanting to indulge in retail therapy.
The hotel's interiors are just as on-trend as the city's shopping, with its 66 rooms offering unique details such as recycled artwork, aromatherapy and an array of quirky objects. Those travelling with pets will love the hotel's animal-friendly policy, whilst the hotel's bar remains a go-to hotspot in the city, with a regular lineup of internal DJs and live music gigs on offer.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Via S. Raffaele, 3, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: The hotel's on-site bar is the perfect place to get a real taste of the city's fashion and music scene
Best People-Watching ME Milan Il Duca
While the selling point of this stylish hotel is undeniably its in-demand rooftop bar, there are plenty of reasons to make a reservation at ME Milan. Located to the north of the city's centre, this hotel gives you direct access to both the on-trend area of Porta Garibaldi, as well as the financial district, meaning you’ll have some of the city's best contemporary stores, bars and restaurants at your fingertips.
The interiors of this hotel don’t disappoint, reflecting the overall on-trend and fashionable mood through the use of clever design details, an in-house library and a super cool soundtrack playing at all times. When you’re not soaking up the atmosphere of the communal areas, take advantage of your in-room minibar, stocked with essentials such as portable power banks and hangover kits.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 13, 20124 Milano
- Price: $$
- Why we love it: This chic hotel is a magnet for fashion-forward locals and visitors alike
Best Views Galleria Vik Milano
Whilst sleeping within a mall might not seem like a luxury experience, this boutique hotel offers just that. Located within Italy’s oldest shopping complex, the iconic Galleria shopping precinct, this five-star hotel serves up some of the most unique and captivating views in the city. Additionally, the hotel's location makes it an ideal base for shopping lovers, with a never-ending lineup of designer boutiques located downstairs.
The hotel's rooms are also a selling point, with each of the 89 rooms offering up a unique interior, created in collaboration with artists from across Europe, South America and beyond.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Via Silvio Pellico, 8, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$$
- Why we love it: The views out across Italy’s oldest shopping complex provide a truly unique hotel experience
Best Luxury Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa
Securing the title of one of Milan’s most opulent and elegant hotels, the Palazzo Parigi offers a truly special experience. Adorned with antiques and historic works of art, simply walking through the lobby of this hotel is an experience within itself. Located close to the artistic district of Brera, you’ll never find yourself much further than a short walk from many of Milan’s must-see attractions, including some of the city’s best shopping and bustling financial district.
When you’re ready to take a break, the hotel's beautifully designed rooms provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle or make the most of the hotel's amenities, including the spa, meeting rooms, private garden, bar and restaurant.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: C.so di Porta Nuova, 1, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$$
- Why we love it: Located only a stone's throw away from the heart of the fashion and financial district, this luxury hotel serves up the best of what the city has to offer in style
Best Luxury Portrait Milano
Designed with the luxury traveller in mind, Portrait Milano is a landmark when it comes to Milan’s prestigious hotel offering. Set within Europe’s oldest restored seminary, this grand hotel features a vast private courtyard equipped with shopping, a spa and a must-visit restaurant, as well as views out over the city's Piazza del Quadrilatero.
The rooms are just as luxurious as the grounds, with rich furnishings and a completely personalised sleeping experience on offer (guests are asked to send through their sleep preferences in advance). The hotel also has a dedicated "lifestyle" team, who make it their mission to score some of the best reservations, tickets and access to the type of hot spots normally only available to in-the-know locals.
NEED TO KNOW
- Address: Corso Venezia, 11, 20121 Milano
- Price: $$$
- Why we love it: The vast private courtyard provides a centrally-located escape whilst still having the city’s best shopping, eating and sightseeing at your fingertips
Image credit: Booking.com | Website
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy, or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.