mels

I have booked the Hotel Berna for our last night in Italy. We will be traveling from Lake Como later in the day to Milan. Is there a nice place to stay near the airport maybe in a small town with some charm?

sandralist

People who don't like Milan and who follow a narrow set of recommendations on the internet for tourists will all tell you to go to Hotel First. But the Berna is a very welcoming and comforrtable hotel that is very convenient for catching a flight to Malpensa. If I don't stay at the Sheraton right at Malpensa, or stay on Lago Maggiore in one of the charming towns there with a bus connection to Malpensa, I stay at the Berna so I can enjoy Milan my last night and have a good dinner. There is only about a 20 minute advantage to staying someplace like Hotel First over staying in Milan or on Lago Maggiore, and even though people say the restaurant is acceptable, I've never heard anybody say that the location of the hotel is as interesting Milan or as charming as Lago Maggiore.

socaltraveler

People who don't like Milan and who follow a narrow set of recommendations on the internet for tourists will all tell you to go to Hotel First.

Oh sandra, there you go on your holier than thou pedestal. Some of us just like to spend our last night close to the airport, for many and varied reasons. Hotel First is a very nice place to spend a last night at MPX. But if it's not your way, it's the highway. FYI, I like Milan. I also like Hotel First.

mels

Thanks.

mels

Our flight is not until 10:40am. So I may just stay with my reservation at Hotel Berna it is near the train station. It is my husband who would prefer to stay closer to the airport. If it makes little difference I like a better hotel and restaurant.

sandralist

socaltraveler,

What is your favorite hotel near the airport in Rome? of

I didn't say that the only people who stay at Hotel First are people who don't like Milan and who follow a narrow set of recommendations on the internet. I just braced the mels for the multiple recommendations for Hotel First from people who do fit that description but won't admit that's the reason they stay there. I did tell mels that it is 20 minutes closer to the airport than Milan or Stresa, so if mels is someone who is like you and prefers to be 20 minutes closer to the airport, I'm sure he or she will factor that into the information in my post.

But I see no reason to change a reservation at the Hotel Berna for most people leaving on a morning flight to Milan anymore than I tell people leaving from Rome airport to stay at the airport. However, when I have reasons to need that extra 20 minutes, I think it makes more sense to stay at the Sheraton right at Malpensa, especially since I have never heard anybody recommend anything about the town where Hotel First is located having any charm.

sandralist

mels,

It is easy to go to dinner anywhere in Milan staying at the Berna, but if you want something casual, the Azzurro Grill is a Pugliese place with interesting southern pasta, loads of vegetables and good pizza. Friendly owners. It is an easy walk from the Berna.

http://www.ristorantepizzeriazzurra.it/dove-siamo

mels

Thank you for the recommendation....sounds like a good place for my last night of vacation.

sandralist

Great, but I better correct my typo: It is the Azzurra Grill. A great many people from southern Italy migrated to Milan in search of work, especially in the 20th c., and among the many benefits to Milan was a pretty high standard of Pugliese restaurants. If you are lookin for traditional food of Milan -- like risotto, osso bucco, etc -- this is not the place to go, but if you just want to kick back and not eat rich food (I find it hard the night before a flight), this is comfortable and casual and easy.

mels

Thanks, again. I just copied my husband on the restaurant sounds perfect.

Andrew

mels, I think your plan of staying near the train station is perfect. It's an easy train ride from Milano Centrale out to Malpensa.

rbciao47

I also would recommend Hotel Berna for my last night in Milano. We just spent three nights there this past August, 2015 before flying home. We've stayed in this property at least ten times and are never disappointed. The property is outstanding.

The hotel is convenient to the Stazione Centrale for train or bus shuttle to Malpensa. This time we used Blacklane Limo Service for transportation to the airport and we used a 10% discount coupon we found on the internet. Lately we've been using limo services and find it much easier for our needs.

There are many good restaurants close to Berna and the hotel can also recommend places.

Buon viaggio,

mels

Thanks, all....no doubts. Hotel Berna it is!