Ariston Hotel or Ariosto Hotel /Milan
Jul 18th, 2008, 07:12 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ariston Hotel or Ariosto Hotel /Milan
The Plan:
We are flying into Malpensa (Milan), taking the bus to the train station and then a taxi to our hotel. Our only interest this evening will be resting, eating, soaking up the area, eating, eating and sleeping (we will be flying in from the West Coast USA). We will take the train to Varenna the next morning. 4 days later our friends arrive in Milan and we will meet up with them, see the Duomo, Galleria, La Scala that evening. The next morning we will see the Last Supper and then take the train to Florence.
My question:
I have never been to Milan, and am having a hard time understanding the layout. A friend told us they stayed at the Ariosto Hotel and loved it. When she emailed me the name of the hotel she misspelled it and we booked the Ariston Hotel ! Both look great. We were able to reserve the Ariston for 135E, but we may be able to get the Ariosto for less. Location is our biggest concern.
Which hotel would you suggest for DH and I to just “crash in” for the night. Which one would be better for us when our friends arrive?
Here’s some of the information I have about each hotel’s location. Both sound very good in other respects, so price/location is my question:
Ariosto Hotel: trip advisor says “3 blocks from The Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie church, two short blocks to the subway system, and a short taxi ride from Cadorna station's Malpensa Express…”
Ariston Hotel according to trip advisor is a 10min walk from the Duomo and the shopping streets.
Ariosto or Ariston? Confused enough?
We are flying into Malpensa (Milan), taking the bus to the train station and then a taxi to our hotel. Our only interest this evening will be resting, eating, soaking up the area, eating, eating and sleeping (we will be flying in from the West Coast USA). We will take the train to Varenna the next morning. 4 days later our friends arrive in Milan and we will meet up with them, see the Duomo, Galleria, La Scala that evening. The next morning we will see the Last Supper and then take the train to Florence.
My question:
I have never been to Milan, and am having a hard time understanding the layout. A friend told us they stayed at the Ariosto Hotel and loved it. When she emailed me the name of the hotel she misspelled it and we booked the Ariston Hotel ! Both look great. We were able to reserve the Ariston for 135E, but we may be able to get the Ariosto for less. Location is our biggest concern.
Which hotel would you suggest for DH and I to just “crash in” for the night. Which one would be better for us when our friends arrive?
Here’s some of the information I have about each hotel’s location. Both sound very good in other respects, so price/location is my question:
Ariosto Hotel: trip advisor says “3 blocks from The Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie church, two short blocks to the subway system, and a short taxi ride from Cadorna station's Malpensa Express…”
Ariston Hotel according to trip advisor is a 10min walk from the Duomo and the shopping streets.
Ariosto or Ariston? Confused enough?
Jul 18th, 2008, 07:36 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would spring for the hotel near the S.Maria delle Grazie, even though you're saving da Vinci for later, because first of all, the Malpensa Xpress goes right there instead of the central train station. It will make for a more pleasant arrival.
Next, it's a marvelous area. You can either stroll toward the Castello Sfoza and eyeball it, stroll down the via Dante (pedestrianized) to the Duomo (bears looking at twice, and at night!), window shopping or imbibing, or just hang out with the pretty people on the Corso Magenta.
The description of the second hotel is a bit skimpy, but I have an idea of where it is and you'd be perfectly fine there. And you'd have a wee bit shorter trip to the train station the next morning to catch your train to Varenna, but not enough to tip the scales. Good restaurants and pretty people are everwhere in Milano, and if you want to see the famous designer boutiques, they're over there.
I am very fond of an elegant but not wildly expensive ristorante off the Corso Magenta called I Borromei. It is in a tiny piazza and street of the same name. It sits behind a wall that hides a wisteria arbor, and you can sit under the arbor and eat -- a rare treat in Milano, and the food is good. I suspect it is within walking distance of your first hotel possibility.
But you'll see lots of nice places in that area for a drink or food. I'm also fond of a sushi bar in the Corso Magenta, I believe it's called Park Sushi, if you just want something light.
Next, it's a marvelous area. You can either stroll toward the Castello Sfoza and eyeball it, stroll down the via Dante (pedestrianized) to the Duomo (bears looking at twice, and at night!), window shopping or imbibing, or just hang out with the pretty people on the Corso Magenta.
The description of the second hotel is a bit skimpy, but I have an idea of where it is and you'd be perfectly fine there. And you'd have a wee bit shorter trip to the train station the next morning to catch your train to Varenna, but not enough to tip the scales. Good restaurants and pretty people are everwhere in Milano, and if you want to see the famous designer boutiques, they're over there.
I am very fond of an elegant but not wildly expensive ristorante off the Corso Magenta called I Borromei. It is in a tiny piazza and street of the same name. It sits behind a wall that hides a wisteria arbor, and you can sit under the arbor and eat -- a rare treat in Milano, and the food is good. I suspect it is within walking distance of your first hotel possibility.
But you'll see lots of nice places in that area for a drink or food. I'm also fond of a sushi bar in the Corso Magenta, I believe it's called Park Sushi, if you just want something light.
Jul 18th, 2008, 07:50 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So you would suggest the Ariosto, which is the one close to The Last Supper for both of our nights?
Malpensa Xpress is the train, correct? Can you catch that right at the airport? After the Xpress then a taxi?
I feel like I need a step by step on this one, sorry. But thsnks for your help !
Malpensa Xpress is the train, correct? Can you catch that right at the airport? After the Xpress then a taxi?
I feel like I need a step by step on this one, sorry. But thsnks for your help !
Jul 18th, 2008, 08:28 AM
#4
As I recall, travel52, you have problems walking.
The Ariston is a bit closer to the Duomo/pedestrian zone. Taking a taxi is always an option, but if you just want to walk a couple of blocks that first night, see the Duomo area and find dinner, then the Ariston might be the better choice. If you'll leave the Duomo for later with your friends, then it really doesn't matter which hotel you choose. I agree that you should take the Malpensa Express train into the city regardless of which hotel you pick. The Cadorna Nord station is much smaller and less chaotic. You'll still have to go to the Centrale station for your train to Varenna.
The Ariston is a bit closer to the Duomo/pedestrian zone. Taking a taxi is always an option, but if you just want to walk a couple of blocks that first night, see the Duomo area and find dinner, then the Ariston might be the better choice. If you'll leave the Duomo for later with your friends, then it really doesn't matter which hotel you choose. I agree that you should take the Malpensa Express train into the city regardless of which hotel you pick. The Cadorna Nord station is much smaller and less chaotic. You'll still have to go to the Centrale station for your train to Varenna.
Jul 18th, 2008, 08:33 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you can catch the Xpress train right at Malpensa airport. It takes you to Cadorna station, which is very close to the Last Supper. So that's the hotel I would choose.
The following morning, you will probably want to take a taxi with your luggage to Stazione Centrale, which is where you get a train going to Varenna. There is also a subway, but with luggage, why bother? The taxi fare will not be exorbitant.
If you plan to stay in Milano your last night in Italy, before flying home from Malpensa, I would return to that hotel. The Xpress trains begin running very early in the morning, and it is simple for your hotel to get you a taxi to the train if it's not possible to walk it that early.
Last but not least -- I've never done it, but it is possible to leave Cadorna Station and switch trains for Lago Como, and from there you can take ferries to Varenna. I think you've probably seen other threads about this. Your hotel can probably walk you through it best, once you're actually in Milano and have the lay of the land.
Milano is actually a much easier town in which to get oriented than most Italian towns. It bustles, but it has mostly straight, long, flat streets with fairly good signage. Taxi drivers have meters. The surviving historic core is tiny.
Sorry this map has such tiny print, but it's a good shot of that hotel's location. If you look to the left of the large green area (marked with the castello) you'll find Cadorna (the thin grey rectangle is the train depot) and a bit further left is a blue dot that indicates S.M delle Grazie. You can see how close the Duomo is (which is also where you find the Galleria, and La Scala).
http://www.citylightsnews.com/ztmimp1.htm
The following morning, you will probably want to take a taxi with your luggage to Stazione Centrale, which is where you get a train going to Varenna. There is also a subway, but with luggage, why bother? The taxi fare will not be exorbitant.
If you plan to stay in Milano your last night in Italy, before flying home from Malpensa, I would return to that hotel. The Xpress trains begin running very early in the morning, and it is simple for your hotel to get you a taxi to the train if it's not possible to walk it that early.
Last but not least -- I've never done it, but it is possible to leave Cadorna Station and switch trains for Lago Como, and from there you can take ferries to Varenna. I think you've probably seen other threads about this. Your hotel can probably walk you through it best, once you're actually in Milano and have the lay of the land.
Milano is actually a much easier town in which to get oriented than most Italian towns. It bustles, but it has mostly straight, long, flat streets with fairly good signage. Taxi drivers have meters. The surviving historic core is tiny.
Sorry this map has such tiny print, but it's a good shot of that hotel's location. If you look to the left of the large green area (marked with the castello) you'll find Cadorna (the thin grey rectangle is the train depot) and a bit further left is a blue dot that indicates S.M delle Grazie. You can see how close the Duomo is (which is also where you find the Galleria, and La Scala).
http://www.citylightsnews.com/ztmimp1.htm
Jul 18th, 2008, 08:46 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jean, after calling up both addresses on Google, I have to disagree that even for someone with walking issues, the Aristo is further away than the Ariston from pedestrianized zones.
I don't know what is in the immediate area of the Ariston, but it's a fairly long walk to the Duomo, and I think the shorter walk to the Corso Magenta from the Aristo, or towards the castello, would guarantee lots of good restaurant choices.
I don't know what is in the immediate area of the Ariston, but it's a fairly long walk to the Duomo, and I think the shorter walk to the Corso Magenta from the Aristo, or towards the castello, would guarantee lots of good restaurant choices.
Jul 18th, 2008, 01:36 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much. I'm starting to "get it". Yes, I am the one with walking difficulties. It sounds like Ariosto might be the better location for the train, price and location even. With 4 of us, we can alway grab a cab if the Duomo area feels to far to walk.
zeppole: you said Aristo. I assume you meant the Ariosto is the better one. The spellings are just too close to "assume". I think I may be confusing hotels again.
When we meet up with our friends in Milan we will just be starting our journey together in Italy and then France. Our last stop is Lyon and our ff miles fly us right out of there to Paris and home.
zeppole: you said Aristo. I assume you meant the Ariosto is the better one. The spellings are just too close to "assume". I think I may be confusing hotels again.
When we meet up with our friends in Milan we will just be starting our journey together in Italy and then France. Our last stop is Lyon and our ff miles fly us right out of there to Paris and home.
Jul 18th, 2008, 01:39 PM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would pick this one:
"Ariosto Hotel: trip advisor says “3 blocks from The Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie church, two short blocks to the subway system, and a short taxi ride from Cadorna station's Malpensa Express…”
Nice area.
"Ariosto Hotel: trip advisor says “3 blocks from The Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie church, two short blocks to the subway system, and a short taxi ride from Cadorna station's Malpensa Express…”
Nice area.
Jul 18th, 2008, 06:52 PM
#11
According to viamichelin.com, the the Ariosta is 1.4 miles to the Duomo and .6 mile to the Cadorna Nord station. The Ariston is .6 mile to the Duomo and .8 mile to the Cadorna Nord station.
Regarding the alternate way of getting to Varenna mentioned by Zeppole... This is a difficult choice. Leaving from Cadorna Nord is easy and involves less walking from the taxi to the train. But you change trains halfway which, even in a small station, means walking down stairs, through a tunnel and back upstairs to the other tracks. At Como, you'd take a taxi or walk to the ferry dock, and in Varenna you'd taxi to your hotel. (Have you told us which hotel in Varenna?) The walking/standing is in doses.
The other way to Varenna is from the Centrale station which is huge. You'd have to walk from the taxi, through the station and up an escalator to the tracks. But once you get to Varenna, you just take a taxi to your hotel. You get all the walking/standing done at the beginning.
Regarding the alternate way of getting to Varenna mentioned by Zeppole... This is a difficult choice. Leaving from Cadorna Nord is easy and involves less walking from the taxi to the train. But you change trains halfway which, even in a small station, means walking down stairs, through a tunnel and back upstairs to the other tracks. At Como, you'd take a taxi or walk to the ferry dock, and in Varenna you'd taxi to your hotel. (Have you told us which hotel in Varenna?) The walking/standing is in doses.
The other way to Varenna is from the Centrale station which is huge. You'd have to walk from the taxi, through the station and up an escalator to the tracks. But once you get to Varenna, you just take a taxi to your hotel. You get all the walking/standing done at the beginning.
Jul 18th, 2008, 07:10 PM
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jean, my point, no doubt expressed badly, was that, from Ariosto, it's quite easy to get to pedestrianized streets, not the Duomo, and that the nearby Corso Magenta and the Castello area has plenty of fine restos.
