Where to Stay in Milan, Italy: Best Hotels & Areas
Not sure where to stay in Milan? Here’s the insider-friendly guide to the best areas and hotels—made for effortless trip planning.
Milan’s hotel scene is having a real moment right now with sleek new openings, beautifully restored classics, and design-led boutiques that make it almost too easy to be picky. And with the city gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics, there’s an unmistakable buzz pushing the hospitality scene to level up even further.
The good news is that Milan is compact and incredibly easy to navigate. The metro is efficient, clean, and brilliantly connected, so getting around is a breeze no matter where you base yourself.
Staying central is convenient, but it’s hardly essential. What matters far more is choosing a neighborhood that actually matches your vibe, whether that’s design-forward Isola, elegant Brera, luxurious Quadrilatero della Moda, or somewhere in between.
After spending almost a week in the city just recently, here’s everything you need to know about where to stay in Milan, along with my curated selection of the best hotels in Milan right now. Pick your area, pick your hotel, and forget the rest. Milan makes everything easy.
*This ‘where to stay in Milan’ guide may contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.
Short on Time? Here’s the short version:
Best Area for First-Timers: Duomo, Montenapoleone & Quadrilatero della Moda, and Brera
Best Area for Returning Visitors: Porta Genova, Isola, Brera
Best Luxury Hotel in Milan: My top pick is without a doubt Portrait Milano. This is where I stayed in the city.
Best Boutique Hotel in Milan for Design Travelers: Vico Milano, Casa Brivio, Casa Brera
What is the Best Area to Stay in Milan, Italy?
If you’d like to roll out of bed and practically fall into the city’s icons, then the most central neighborhoods—Duomo, Montenapoleone & the Quadrilatero della Moda, and Brera—are where Milan truly shines.
These areas are the city’s beating heart, all elegant colonnades, couture-clad locals, and aperitivo spots where you’ll inevitably order a Negroni you definitely don’t need but absolutely deserve.
Duomo is the obvious classic: stay here, and the cathedral becomes your morning coffee backdrop. Montenapoleone and the Quadrilatero della Moda are fashion’s holy ground—polished, exclusive, and dotted with hotels that double as design museums.
Brera, meanwhile, is Milan at its most charming: cobblestone lanes, perfumed boutiques, a painter’s palette of cafés, and just enough old-world romance to make you consider moving in permanently.
But these central zones are also Milan’s priciest. The city is enjoying a moment, especially now with the approaching 2026 Winter Olympics (and charging proudly for it), so if you’re working with a more modest budget, don’t panic. Milan’s beauty extends beyond its glossy center.
Look instead toward Isola, where indie boutiques, street murals, and new-wave restaurants give the area a youthful, creative buzz. Porta Venezia is another favorite—an elegant, multicultural pocket with great transport links and that grand, slightly faded-queen architecture we all secretly love.
Porta Genova, sitting right on the edge of the Navigli canals, is perfect if you prefer your Milan stays served with a side of nightlife and riverside spritzes.
My Top Picks for Places to Stay in Milan
If, like me and you swoon over luxury boltholes, boutique hideaways, and clever design moments, then these are the spots you’ll want to bookmark immediately.
Milan might be Italy’s fashion capital, but it’s also a city that nails contemporary elegance—quiet luxury, sculptural interiors, and that unmistakable Milanese polish that makes you want to redecorate your entire home the moment you check in.
Here are my top picks for the best hotels in Milan:
Portrait Milano — Where I was lucky enough to sleep in Milan, and it’s a beauty. Set inside a 16th-century seminary turned into a high-fashion hideaway, it blends Milan’s layered history with sharply refined interiors.
Its 73 rooms and suites were designed by architect Michele Bönan, whose signature mix of elegant textures and muted modern-classic lines gives you that ‘private city mansion’ worth living in”’ vibe just steps from the heart of the fashion district. Their restaurant, 10_11, is also one of the top eats in Milan.
Casa Brera — This is the Milan I dream of when I think “artsy charm.” With the feel of a designer’s townhouse and the spirit of old-Brera elegance, Casa Brera offers something softer and more relaxed than the white-glove luxury crowd.
Four Seasons Milano — Timeless comfort in a historic package: the hotel sits in a former 15th-century convent, and walking through its cloisters and into its peaceful garden courtyard immediately pulls you away from the city’s bustle.
The spa, indoor pool, and serene garden make this spot ideal if you want luxury with calm, and proximity to both the fashion quarter and cultural landmarks like the Duomo or Brera.
The Carlton — Brand new property from Rocco Forte Group: understated elegance just steps from the city’s high-life. If you prefer an old-school hotel with reliable style and a location that keeps you in the loop of fashion, shopping and food, this is the kind of place where you feel appropriately grounded.
Aethos Milan — If you like your hotels to come with a bit of character, attitude, and maybe some nightlife-adjacent energy, Aethos might hit the sweet spot.
Located in the more alternative, creative-minded side of town (canals, indie restaurants, artful corners), Aethos offers rooms with personality — vintage touches, perhaps a balcony or two, and a social mood, and a bit offbeat. It’s ideal if you want to soak up local rhythm rather than polished perfection.
Room Mate Giulia — This is my go-to budget choice if I want to be right in the centre. Literally steps from the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, it’s perfect for walking everywhere and dipping in and out of Milan’s busiest quarters.
The rooms are modern and stylish — not over-the-top, but comfortable and thoughtfully designed — and the staff are friendly and helpful. It doesn’t have the grand history of a convent or seminary, but for convenience and value in the heart of Milan, it ticks a lot of boxes.
Best Areas to Stay in Milan, Italy
Duomo
Duomo is Milan’s headline act — the postcard, the showpiece, the place everyone makes a beeline for the second they drop their bags.
Hotels here come with bragging rights baked in: you’re staying beside one of Europe’s most dramatic cathedrals, flanked by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and a tangle of streets lined with flagship boutiques and old-school cafés.
It’s central, it’s convenient, it’s as Milan as it gets — and, naturally, the prices reflect that confidence. But if you want a base that keeps you in the thick of things with zero effort required, this is the neighbourhood that delivers it on a silver platter.
Where to Stay in Duomo
Park Hyatt Milano – Sitting just off the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Park Hyatt Milano is the kind of hotel that understands understatement better than most. Polished marble, soft neutrals, and a spa that feels almost monastic in its quiet, it’s luxurious without ever tipping into flash.
Rooms are generously sized (a rarity this close to the Duomo), the service is sharp, and the whole place hums with that calm, confident elegance Milan does so well. It’s a classic for a reason.
Room Mate Giulia – Room Mate Giulia is a more budget-friendly, cheerful, design-forward cousin in the neighbourhood with bold colours, playful shapes, and a lively attitude that contrasts beautifully with its ultra-central address.
Just steps from the Duomo, it’s the perfect base for travellers who want a more modern design approach. Expect friendly staff, clever details, and a youthful energy that makes the hotel feel more like a stylish friend’s apartment than a traditional stay. Perfect if you want personality and proximity in equal measure.
Montenapoleone & Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion District)
Montenapoleone and the wider Quadrilatero della Moda are where Milan turns the luxury dial all the way up. This is the city’s most polished pocket, wrapped in couture and scented faintly of expensive leather and perfume.
This is the Fashion District in its purest form: glossy storefronts, immaculate façades, and doormen who look like they’ve stepped straight out of a campaign shoot.
Hotels here lean into that same rarefied mood — refined, discreet, and dressed as sharply as the clientele wandering past. Staying in this neighbourhood means you’re essentially living inside Milan’s style playbook, with Via della Spiga, Via Santo Spirito, and Via Gesù as your daily commute.
Of course, if you want Milan’s most exclusive address, this is the district that delivers it without blinking. From here, it’s also completely walkable to the Duomo and Milan’s top central sights.
Where to Stay in Montenapoleone & Quadrilatero della Moda
Portrait Milano – Portrait Milano brings a sense of quiet grandeur to the Fashion District — a former 16th-century seminary reimagined with Lungarno’s signature polish. The vast courtyard sets the tone: serene, architectural, almost cinematic.
Inside, the rooms follow a refined, residential blueprint with tailored lines, classic palettes, and that discreet, fashion-adjacent elegance the Ferragamo-owned brand does so well. It’s a hotel that feels deeply Milanese, a modern classic with impeccable manners.
Four Seasons Milano – Housed in a 15th-century convent complete with cloisters and garden courtyards, Four Seasons Milano is one of those rare properties where history and contemporary luxury blend seamlessly.
The rooms channel a sophisticated, soft-spoken elegance, while the spa, which is tucked beneath ancient vaulted ceilings, remains one of the most atmospheric in the city. Add in flawless service and a location straddling culture and couture, and you’ve got a stay that never puts a foot wrong.
The Carlton – One of Milan’s newest arrivals, The Carlton is already very much a Milan standby — discreet, refined, and perfectly positioned for anyone who wants to orbit the Quadrilatero della Moda with ease. The interiors lean classic rather than trendy, with thoughtful touches geared toward ultimate comfort.
It tends to appeal to travellers who appreciate tradition, a smooth-running hotel, and the sense of staying somewhere that’s been part of the city’s fabric for decades.
Rocco Forte House, Via Manzoni – Rocco Forte House on Via Manzoni is where you check in when you want the privacy of an upscale Milanese residence with all the polish of a luxury hotel. Its handful of impeccably designed apartments blend contemporary Italian craftsmanship with Rocco Forte’s signature warmth, creating spaces that feel both elevated and lived-in.
Brera & Porta Garibaldi
Brera is probably my favorite neighborhood in Milan. It has a real magnetic pull about it. Cobblestone streets, low-slung palazzi, galleries tucked behind ivy-draped courtyards, and cafés perfect for people watching.
It’s Milan’s artistic heart, equal parts refined and bohemian, with a rhythm that feels effortlessly lived-in. Mornings are for wandering past studios and stopping for a macchiato at a corner bar; evenings melt into breezy aperitivos under string lights.
Slide a little north, and you hit Porta Garibaldi, which brings an entirely different energy to the table. This is new-Milan territory — sleek architecture, design-forward restaurants, and the kind of cosmopolitan buzz that keeps the streets humming long after dinner. Think glass towers, stylish workspaces, and a nightlife scene with plenty of edge.
Together, Brera and Porta Garibaldi create one of the city’s most compelling contrasts: old-world charm meeting modern swagger, heritage mingling with innovation. It’s a duo that really represents Milan right now — creative, confident, and constantly evolving.
Where to Stay in Brera & Porta Garibaldi
Casa Brera – Casa Brera is where Milan’s artistic soul meets polished hospitality. The interiors — reimagined by a celebrated design studio — mix walnut paneling, sleek modern touches, and a palette that feels both contemporary and warmly Milanese.
It has a rooftop terrace restaurant and bar with a pool, offering a rare rooftop perch in the city centre — ideal for an evening Spritz with skyline views. Rooms are clean and well-designed, and the staff are friendly and attentive.
Bulgari Hotel Milano – Bulgari Hotel Milano is as close as Milan gets to a private urban oasis. Tucked down a side street near the fashion district and the historic center, it hides behind a walled garden spanning over 4,000 m² — a leafy retreat that feels a world away from the city’s bustle.
Inside, minimalist marble, bronze, and polished glass create a calm, refined aesthetic; the guest rooms are bright and elegant, and bathrooms often feel more like spa suites (marble, travertine, luxury toiletries included). Add a top-tier spa, a fine-dining restaurant by a renowned chef, and discreet, polished service and you’ve got a true luxury hideout.
Casa Baglioni – Casa Baglioni Milan might be a place a Milanese art collector might choose for a pied-à-terre — elegant, quietly refined, and full of thoughtful artistic touches.
Located in the creative heart of Brera, this relatively new hotel combines mid-century inspiration with a light, considered design: chestnut-wood furnishings, curves and open shelving, and subtle decorative nods to Milan’s design heritage.
The bathrooms, with freestanding tubs and rainfall showers, are crafted for indulgence; some rooms even offer terraces overlooking leafy streets. There’s a serene, grown-up feel here — not flashy, but deeply tasteful and comfortable for anyone wanting to stay in Milan’s cultural core with style.
Antica Locanda Dei Mercanti – Antica Locanda dei Mercanti is the sort of hideaway that surprises you, an elegant 18th-century building carrying with it the weight and charm of Milan’s old city centre, yet offering modern comforts that ensure a smooth stay.
It’s only a few minutes’ walk from major sights like the castle and historic shops, placing you right in the core of old Milan and Brera. For the more budget traveler who wants to stay in the center, this spot is one of my favorites.
Navigli & Porta Genova
Navigli and Porta Genova bring a looser, more free-spirited side of Milan into focus. It’s a neighbourhood built around canals, cobblestone paths, and a nightlife scene that kicks into gear the moment the sun dips.
Days here are slow and sun-drenched: vintage markets spilling onto the streets, indie boutiques, design studios, and cafés with just the right amount of creative clutter. By night, the bars and trattorias along the water fill with locals, students, artists, and anyone who appreciates an aperitivo with atmosphere.
Porta Genova ties it all together with its easy transport links and youthful buzz, making the whole area feel wonderfully lived-in and endlessly people-watchable.
Where to Stay in Navigli & Porta Genova
Vico Milano – a stylish little bolt-hole with a distinctly fashion-editor edge — all warm woods, sculptural lighting, and a quietly curated aesthetic that feels more like a private showroom than a hotel. Located between Sant’Ambrogio and the canals, it draws in the design-minded crowd who want something intimate, elegant, and unmistakably Milanese.
Expect a handful of beautifully appointed rooms, attentive service, and a mood that leans sophisticated without ever feeling stuffy.
Casa Brivio – Casa Brivio sits in that sweet spot between Porta Genova and the Duomo, giving you the canals’ creative buzz in one direction and the historic centre’s grand architecture in the other.
The interiors follow a clean, contemporary line — airy neutrals, thoughtful details, a sense of calm that makes it easy to settle in. It’s a great pick if you want a well-connected base that sidesteps both the hyper-touristy and the ultra-trendy extremes.
Aethos Milan – Aethos Milan brings a bold, spirited flair to the Navigli side of the city. It’s eclectic in the best way — vintage pieces, saturated colours, unexpected art — the kind of space where every corner looks intentionally composed.
The atmosphere is lively and social, but the rooms themselves offer a cocoon of comfort once you retreat upstairs. It’s perfect for travellers who want character, creativity, and a front-row seat to the canals’ day-to-night energy. Don’t miss their bar, it’s one of the top drinking holes in the city.
Porta Venezia
Porta Venezia, located just a little northeast of the Fashion District, is one of those neighbourhoods that features elegant 19th-century facades, broad boulevards, and a cosmopolitan mix that gives the area a lived-in, quietly international feel.
It’s home to some of Milan’s best cafés and bars, leafy corners, indie boutiques, and the entrance to the city’s largest park, Giardini Pubblici. The vibe is stylish but unpretentious, with a creative undercurrent and plenty of great eating and drinking spots tucked between residential streets.
Well connected, effortlessly cool, and full of local life, it’s a brilliant base if you want central Milan without the theatrics.
Where to Stay in Porta Venezia
Casa Cipriani, Milano – Casa Cipriani brings that unmistakable Cipriani glamour to Milan — polished wood, buttery leather, crisp white linens, and an atmosphere that feels equal parts members’ club and old-world Italian sophistication.
The rooms are beautifully turned out, the service is impeccably choreographed, and the bar and restaurant pull in a stylish crowd who appreciate a well-made Bellini and a classic done properly.
Hotel Cristoforo Colombo – Hotel Cristoforo Colombo is a smart, reliable option for travellers who want a central location without the jaw-dropping price tag. Set right on Corso Buenos Aires — one of the city’s main shopping arteries — it offers comfortable rooms, a spa, and easy access to Porta Venezia’s cafés, restaurants, and transport links.
It delivers solid value, a handy location, and the kind of straightforward stay that frees up your budget for the more important Milanese essentials: shopping, aperitivo, and a few too many cappuccinos.
Isola
Isola is one of Milan’s coolest neighborhoods, a little gritty, a little artsy, and full of independent spirit that keeps the city interesting. Here you’ll find street murals, small designer boutiques, craft coffee shops, and a dining scene that swings modern without losing its edge.
It’s the kind of area where you can start your morning with a perfect cappuccino, wander through local markets, and end up at a natural-wine bar you’ll want to return to the next night.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Milan outside the usual glossy districts, Isola is a fantastic choice. It’s well connected, packed with character, and full of great places to eat and drink. A solid pick for travelers who want a mix of creativity, local flavor, and just the right amount of cool.
Where to Stay in Isola
Crowne Plaza Milan City – Crowne Plaza Milan City is a solid, well-located option if you want comfort, convenience, and good value without sacrificing style. Set in the Porta Nuova area—close to Isola and just steps from the Sondrio metro stop—it’s an easy base for exploring the city without being right in the thick of Milan’s busier districts.
Rooms are modern and quiet, there’s a small spa and rooftop terrace to unwind on, and the service is consistently reliable.
San Siro
San Siro sits well outside Milan’s center, and that distance is exactly what makes it useful depending on your plans. If you’re heading to the stadium for a concert or a match, staying here is a no-brainer—you can skip the long post-event commute and stroll back at your own pace.
It’s also a solid residential neighborhood, quieter than the inner districts and popular with families thanks to its calmer streets and more spacious layout.
Accommodation in San Siro tends to be noticeably cheaper, too, which can be a huge bonus if you’re visiting Milan during a busy weekend or planning a longer stay.
It’s not the spot for classic sightseeing, but as a practical base with good value—especially for stadium events—it works extremely well. Plus, connections to the center are easy and quick.
Where to Stay in San Siro
NH Collection Milano CityLife – A stylish, modern pick set between the city center and San Siro. Great transport links and sleek rooms make it an easy, convenient base.
Sheraton Milan San Siro – A polished hotel with spacious rooms, a pool, and resort-style amenities. Ideal if you’re attending an event at San Siro or want a quieter, greener part of the city.
c-hotels Rubens – A well-priced, comfortable stay in a residential area with quick metro access. Simple, reliable, and a solid choice for exploring Milan without breaking the budget.
So, where will you stay in Milan, Italy? Share your questions and comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
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Booking.com for great deals on hotels
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