8 Best Hotels in Milan, Italy

The decor in this eclectic, extremely hip hotel at the foot of the lively Corso di Porta Ticinese and by the Navigli canals features sports memorabilia from golf, horseback riding, boxing, and others. The lobby area is anything but traditional: check in while sitting in a barber's chair, as you plot to carve out time on the inviting dark leather couches or perhaps enjoy a cocktail at The Doping Bar, or dinner in the Mediterranean-style restaurant, Zaïa. Despite all the design, the ambience is casual and welcoming. Some suites even have their own terraces where you can chill in private.

For hip, design-focused lodging with a friendly feel and prime location right next to the Galleria and around the corner from the Duomo, you can’t do much better than the city's outpost from Spanish hotel chain Room Mate. Conceived by Milan designer Patricia Urquiola, rooms come in a range of sizes, all with a whimsical color scheme of bright greens, oranges, and blues along with mod furnishings including desks and plush couches. The airy modern lobby lined with art books invites lingering, and the enthusiastic staff are full of advice on Milan attractions. Amenities include a small 24-hour gym, sauna, and Turkish bath; a well-stocked breakfast buffet is available for an extra charge.

The classically elegant and efficient rooms at this hotel are arranged around a courtyard—four have private terraces—and offer good value for pricey Milan. The 1890s building was originally a seminary, though today's level of comfort and service is far from monastic. The included breakfast and free nonalcoholic drinks in the minibar get high marks from guests, and the location, a few steps west of the Duomo and around the corner from the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, is ideal for shopping and sightseeing.

That this chic city-center inn is owned by an architect's family comes through in details like the custom-designed furniture and paintings by young Milanese artists in the stylish guest rooms. For all its artistic accents, this is still a comfortable, homey base in Milan, with an inviting frescoed breakfast room and many rooms with private terraces. Personal touches—such as wine and snacks in the lobby, eggs cooked to order at breakfast, and free nonalcoholic drinks in the minibars—abound.

Inside this faithfully restored palazzo dating from the early 1900s, spaciousness is accentuated with soft white interiors, muted fabrics and marble, and contemporary lines. An understated entrance leads into what seems more like a sophisticated, upscale residence than a hotel—which is precisely the feeling the designers were striving for. Massive mirrors don't hang, they lean; baths are almost as spacious as the living areas; a refined hush prevails. Though there's no restaurant or breakfast room, if you wish you can dine in privacy with room service for breakfast (for an extra fee).

Don't be fooled by the functional exterior of one of Milan's key business addresses: inside, rooms have a contemporary look with soothing gray walls and marble bathrooms. Although there's no pool, many of the 30 suites have their own Turkish baths. The in-house PanEVO restaurant focuses on seasonal northern Italian cuisine and has a lovely outdoor terrace in season.

Nice wood flooring, comfortable rooms, and contemporary furnishings that maximize space and bring in light all help recommend this conveniently located bargain in pricey Milan. Flat-screens, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and free use of the minibar are among the many amenities for guests.