Posted: 3/27/2024 | March 27th, 2024

Italy’s second-largest city is best known as the fashion and design capital of the world, drawing millions of visitors each year. There’s also a ton of history here too (the city used to be the capital of the Western Roman Empire). And, shortly, Milan will take center-stage on the world’s arena as host city to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

But no matter what brings you to Milan, it’s important to pick a good hotel while you are here. I’ve been visiting the city for years and have stayed in a ton of different places.

To help you find a hotel that suits your needs and budget, here’s my list of the best hotels in Milan:

1. Brera Prestige B&B

This three-star hotel is in a perfect location in the heart of Brera, only a 10-minute walk from the famous Duomo (cathedral). There are just a few rooms at this newly renovated boutique property, which is stylish and modern. Each room has soundproof windows, a mini fridge, a desk, and a flatscreen TV. The rooms are decorated in calming, neutral tones, and even have chromotherapy lights that you can turn different colors (each color has different purported healing properties, but it’s also just fun too).

The bathrooms are spacious with a walk-in shower and bidet. The staff is very friendly too. It’s a nice and quiet place that’s still central to everything. Just note that, while it’s called a B&B, it does not actually offer breakfast.

2. B&B Hotel Milano Sant’Ambrogio

This three-star hotel in Centro Storico offers simple rooms with large-scale photographs of Milan on the walls. The bright and airy rooms are a pretty good size and have lots of natural light thanks to the large windows. The beds are really comfortable, and all rooms have a desk, flatscreen TV, and wardrobe. The bathrooms are on the smaller side but have walk-in showers and bidets.

I especially love the fact that the breakfast buffet is quite varied and includes lots of pastries as well as fresh orange juice (it costs 9.50 EUR though). There’s also a rooftop terrace with great views as well as a little snack bar downstairs if you want to grab some late-night munchies but not leave the hotel. Overall, the hotel offers great value for first-time visitors who want to stay somewhere central but not spend an arm and a leg.

3. Art Hotel Navigli

This four-star hotel is full of art (walking down the halls, it almost feels like you’re in a modern art museum). The hotel also has a wellness center with a small gym, sauna, and steam room. I love the expansive breakfast buffet too. It starts early (7am) and there’s a nice spread with eggs, meat, fresh pastries, and seasonal fruit. You can even make your own fresh juice with the juice maker.

The rooms are a bit dated, but they’re spacious and each has a flatscreen TV, minibar, electric kettle, and Nespresso machine. The showers are a bit small and dated as well, though they have great water pressure. It’s a unique place to stay that’s just steps from one of the Navigli’s beautiful canals.

4. Magna Pars l’Hotel à Parfum

This five-star hotel continues the tradition of the perfume factory in which it is housed, with a perfume laboratory on site and calming scents throughout the property. The entire property features soft tones and has modern art everywhere. There’s an excellent complimentary buffet breakfast, rooftop bar, wine lounge, and a wellness center with a steam room and gym.

Each of the hotel’s 68 spacious suites has its own unique scent, which have also inspired the unique artwork created by local artists adorning the walls. All suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and comfy beds (you can even choose your pillow from a pillow menu). Every suite includes a desk, flatscreen TV, minibar, and leather chaise longue to relax in. The luxurious bathrooms are huge and entirely made of marble, with bespoke toiletries that are (of course) uniquely scented. Overall, this hotel is the perfect option for travelers looking for a luxurious retreat that’s still close to the Navigli canals with its great bars and restaurants.

5. BB Hotels Aparthotel Isola

Located in the street-art-filled neighborhood of Isola, this aparthotel offers spacious apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes. Each apartment includes a cooktop, dishwasher, and electric kettle. There’s a little supermarket right underneath the apartments too, making this the ideal choice if you want to prepare your own meals (there’s no breakfast offered).

The apartments are minimally decorated but have lots of natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and closets to store your stuff in. The bathrooms are spacious too, with a bidet, walk-in shower, towel warmers, and complimentary toiletries. This is a great choice for long-term travelers who want the full functionality of an apartment a bit away from the touristy Duomo area.

6. Bulgari Hotel Milano

Housed within an 18th-century palazzo in Brera, this five-star boutique hotel is run by the fashion house of the same name. The Bulgari Hotel boasts lavish interiors crafted by renowned Italian architect Antonio Citterio, featuring exquisite marble, rich woods, and sleek furnishings. It’s right next to the botanical gardens, and the hotel has a huge private garden of its own, complete with a garden bar/restaurant. Another one of the hotel’s restaurants, The Bulgari Bar, serves breakfast 24/7. There’s a tranquil indoor swimming pool and spa too.

The hotel’s rooms are spacious and decorated with elegant Bulgari furnishings and wooden accenting. All rooms feature comfy beds, desks, walk-in closets, and minibars. The bathrooms are huge, with deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and complimentary bath products. If you want to spend some money, this is the hotel to do it at!

Whether you’re visiting for fashion, design, history, or art, choosing a great hotel is paramount. As the city draws so many tourists, there are a lot of hotels in Milan. But not all of them are worth staying at. Choose from one of the list above and enjoy your visit to Italy’s second-largest city!