Any suggestions for a nice central place for a single night in Milan, and I suppose a special restaurant ?

I highly recommend the hotel Spadari al Duomo. Excellent location, great hotel.
http://www.spadarihotel.com/english/frames.htm

Spadari al Duomo is an excellent choice.

I also like UNA Cusani near Piazza Cadorna for an overnight that will end with taking a flight from Malpensa, since the train to Malpensa leaves from Cadorna station. The hotel is also just a few blocks from Corsa Magenta, an area that has many interesting restuarants. There is a pleasant resataurant by the name of Hostaria Borromei in the via Borromei that has a very nice courtyard under an arbor where dining al fresco is great if the weather is warm, and I enjoy the food. Prices are moderate.

From the UNA, the Duomo is a pleasant walk down the pedestrianized via Dante.

Another big thumbs up for the Spadari al Duomo! We loved that hotel.

I also recommend Spadari and the Ristorante santa Marta in Via di Santa Marta for a really typical milanese meal in a lovely old part of Milan.

Someone has suggested the Jolly Hotel
Machiavelli? any thoughts ? position etc etc

Have you checked on Tripadvisor?

Yes, but I have been dissappointed several times by places recommended on tripadvisor ( I have also stayed at some great places recommended there but you know which ones stick in your head !!)

Any other favourites, I have had a few not availables !!! and I really want somewhere nice !

Marko,
If you have only one night and want to experience a true gourmet food & service, I strongly recommend Cracco Peck. It is a very well known restaurant at Victor Hugo 4 just a few steps away from the Duomo square It is an experience to eat there and relatively a bargain for what you get. The chef(I believe Cracco Peck is his name) used to work for Alain Ducasse in France and Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. It was the most memorable dinner we ever had in Milan in terms of food and service. It's gourmet but not snooty at all.
If I know what price range you have in mind for a hotel, I may be able to recommend.

Thanks DAX Restaurant noted ! I am happy to pay up to 250 euros. Somewhere close to the Duomo, we were in Milan a few years ago on the cheap and as we only have one night I don't mind spending a little bit !

The duomo area is tough, you'd get a 3 star like the Straf hotel (www.Designhotels.com) for that price. I used points for the fantastic Park Hyatt which is attached to the Galleria Emmanuelle, but that would add another 150 euro to your budget. Sorry I wish I had a better suggestion.

If you don't mind a 10-12 euro taxi ride to the Porta Romana area, you can get a very nice room for a bargain at the newish luxury hotel Grand Visconti, well below your budget. Ask for their larger rooms or the ones facing their soothing formal garden/fountain. There is also a metro station nearby.

By the way, if you plan to eat at Cracco Peck, you must reserve ASAP (www.peck.it/en/luoghi.html). Enjoy!

I stayed at the Straf in December and loved it (except the breakfast which was ok). Paid around 180 definitely more than a 3 star and can't get a better location.

Carrom, I almost stayed at the Straf but never did. Can you tell us what specifically you liked about the hotel. I know the location is perfect and it is minimalist/avant garde rather than a classic grand Italian hotel. I am afraid they raise their prices this year to 250 euro plus.

I'd be interested too, Carrom. Thanks in advance.

anyone stayed at the Hotel Gran Duca di York? we got an incredible weekend rate in july of 118 euro.

I just booked the Straf ! "Funky" website finally convinced me and Dax's recommendation ! Thanks guys !

Congrats Marko! Let us know how it turns out.

Alison,

That is a great rate, and the location of the hotel is terrific. I stumbled across the Duchi di York while I was strolling around the Duomo area, and its location was so appealing, I went inside to look around the lobby and pick up a rate card. It's one of the few hotels in Milan that actually looks like a traditional Italian hotel or villa. Everything is 20th c. modern, so it's charming that way. Since it is a low building with old windows, I would pack a pair of earplugs just in case, even though it sits tucked into a hidden piazza of the Duomo area. And the Pinoteca Ambrosiana, which is right there, is a gem of a small museum. Very worthwhile.