Hello! I need advice for choosing a mid range hotel in a location that will allow us to see as much of Milan as possible in one short day. We will be arriving into Malpensa mid-morning, then heading into the city to spend a night before leaving for Lake Como the next morning. Any feedback is much appreciated! Thanks!

What is your idea of a mid-range rate? Where on Lake Como are you heading to the next day?

How you will travel to Como? If by train from Milano Centrale, then look for a hotel near Centrale (and take from Malpensa the bus to Centrale in the morning you arrive).

If by train from cadorna, then look for a hotel near Cadorna (and travel from Malpensa to Cadorna by train).

I do not know your itinerary, but please let me ask you something: after Como, what you do? Do you return to Milano to fly back home or to travel to other place? If yes, maybe is better to go directlty from Malpensa to Como, and then, if you should go to Milano, stop there for 2 nights (to have at least 1 1/2 days).

Great questions! I haven't gotten the logistics down yet, but I know that we are flying into Malpensa, then somehow making our way to the city for that evening, and I assumed we would be taking a train from somewhere in Milan to Lake Como the following morning. We are staying in Bellagio and are booked at Hotel Florence, so I believe we take a train then a ferry to get to Bellagio. Any suggestions would be appreciated for that leg of the trip.

After 4 nights in Bellagio, we are heading south directly to Positano to spend 4 nights there, then 3 nights in Rome, where we will catch our flight home.

We are hoping to find something in Milan for under $400 USD, but the most important factor is finding a place to stay that will offer a great location in a nice area, along with tasteful, upscale decor. Thanks again for your suggestions!
Sure does make these decisions a lot easier!

One of my all time favorite hotels is the Spadari al Duomo in Milan. Check out the Tripadvisor reviews to see if it fits your criteria. We spent two nights there before going on to Bellagio a few years ago.

Actually, that is on my list of hotel considerations, so I really appreciate your nod of approval. There are several others that look interesting, but you can only spend so many hours researching hotels! Thanks for making my decision
easier!

Try Hotel Manzoni

If you choose the Spadari al Duomo, ask for room 74; you won't be disappointed. It has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the street. We just happened to be there on White Night and there was a lot going on.......great street theater.

One more recommendation for Spadari al Duomo. We spent one night there in October,2009 and then took the train to Bellagio. Hotel Spadari is extremely well located, especially for the Duomo and the Galleria. Room was large and comfortable. Staff was very helpful.

Might want to check out www.ducadiyork.com. Stayed
Sept 2009, close to historic center, lovely hotel and
helpful and kind staff.

We actually did this last year. We flew into Malpensa and then we took the Malpensa express train from the airport to Cordona Nord Station, where we took a short cab ride to Hotel Ariosto. The front desk was very helpful and told us how to get into the City. We took the subway and checked out the main area of Milan. Reserving the hotel on line is the least expensive way to go. The hotel is basically a business hotel. It came with a good breakfast and is also very close to The Last Supper. So, we were able to check out the main sights (Duomo etc) with a subway ride, and then just walk a couple blocks from the hotel to see The Last Supper.

The next morning we took a longer cab ride to Centrale train station (we were going to Varenna). The hotel worked great for us. Beware, we got confused, as there are hotels with similar names. This is Hotel Ariosto. http://www.hotelariosto.com/

There are no restaurants that we saw next to the hotel, so we ate after we got into the City. That worked great. We had an inexpensive meal of Panzerotti at Luini. There is no seating inside, so we sat out on the curb. It was a perfect way to soak in the sights with a delicious and inexpensive meal.

Thanks all! We are currently booked at Spardari al Duomo based on great reviews and your recommendations. Duca di york
was a contender, but they are sold out, and I had noticed Hotel Manzoni had good reviews also, so still might research that, along with Hoel Ariosto! Appreciate your advice!