In celebration of Milan Design Week, Whitewall has curated a selection of the best accommodations in the city—from sprawling properties to ultra-boutique guesthouses, including Vico Milano, Aethos, Armani Hotel Milano, and more.
Vico Milano
Vico Milano
Upon establishing Vico Milano in 2021, owner Neri Baccheschi-Berti realized his vision of creating an ultra-boutique guesthouse in Italy’s most fashion-forward city. This luxe property is a family project: it follows in the footsteps of sister property Castello di Vicarello, a historic 12th-century boutique hotel in Tuscany owned by Neri’s parents. Aurora and Carlos Baccheschi-Berti are a fashion designer and a Balinese antique importer, respectively, and their influence is palpable in both hotels.
Each of Vico Milano’s seven bedrooms features furniture and artwork that have been designed in-house and produced by Italian artisans, yielding a classic Italian design with a modern Moroccan twist. At a beautiful green marble bar downstairs, guests may order bespoke cocktails and organic wine; they may mingle with locals in the hotel’s Library and Sitting Room. If such luxe amenities weren’t enough, Vico Milano is also positioned in one of Milan’s most sought-after locations, Corsa Genova I I—a short walk from the Duomo and the hyper-fashionable district of Via Tortona.
Whitewaller recommends: Indulging in the Luxury Suite.
Portrait Milano
Portrait Milano
Following an extremely delicate restoration project spanning two decades, the former Archbishop’s Seminary at Corso Venezia 11 opened as Portrait Milano in 2022. This property is a city unto itself, combining high-end culinary, commercial, and cultural elements. Guests may eat at Beefbar, a cosmopolitan Italian restaurant and bar in the hotel’s piazza, or 10_11, a Northern-Italian casual dining spot with a quaint garden and a refreshing aperitivo hour; they may shop at Antonia, which brings together a highly curated selection of international and emerging brands, or SO-LE Studio, Maria Sole Ferragamo’s first flagship jewelry store; they may indulge in the high-performance, high-tech treatments available at The Longevity Spa or purchase floral arrangements from Vivi Flower Shop.
Upon passing under a dramatic, stunning Baroque archway at the hotel’s entryway, guests will be brought to one of Portrait Milano’s 73 rooms. Here, they will find traditional Milanese decor with contemporary details inspired by Tuscan craftsmanship—offering an artistic ode to the Ferragamo family.
Whitewaller recommends: Eating wagyu and veal bolognese with fresh pappardelle at Beefbar.
Four Seasons Hotel
Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel, Milano.
The Four Seasons Hotel in Milan is a sprawling, romantic property. This restored historic building features 15th-century frescoes, columns, and dramatic vaulted ceilings; an 18th-century fireplace stars as the centerpiece of the lobby. Guests may indulge in an array of treatments at the spa, swim in the luxurious indoor pool, eat dishes made with ingredients from the Veneto, Lombardy, and Campania regions at the property’s restaurant, or practice asceticism at the fully-equipped gym. At the center of the Four Seasons Hotel is a 15th-century cloistered and landscaped courtyard, offering a true oasis from the urban landscape of Milan.
Whitewaller recommends: Getting a massage and trying an Italian aromatherapy ritual at the spa.
Aethos
AETHOS Milan. Photo by PION STUDIO.
The members-only club Aethos boasts a strong international community, with hotels in sought-after European destinations like the Umbrian countryside and the island of Corsica. The group’s Milan property maintains this sense of exclusivity, with members-only spaces including a dimly lit lounge. Non-members are encouraged to stay in any of Aethos’ 32 suites, each furnished to yield a Londonesque atmosphere. The Doping Bar, one of Milan’s top destinations for business or leisure, is open to the public and offers classic cocktails with innovative, international twists. Guests are also encouraged to dine on-property at ZAÏA, a lively and social fine dining experience characterized by the cuisines that border the shores of the Mediterranean Sea; warm wood, bottle green, and powder pink make this restaurant a distinctly inviting option for those who want to stay close to home.
Whitewaller recommends: Eating a sweet and savory brunch at ZAÏA.
Armani Hotel Milano
Courtesy of Armani Hotel Milano.
Anchoring the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district is Armani Hotel Milano—a stunning hotel with design touches by Giorgio Armani throughout the building, originally built in 1937. With 95 guest rooms and suites, the exquisite escape welcomes guests to meals at Armani/Ristorante, the Armani/Bamboo Bar, the Armani/SPA, and more.
Whitewaller recommends: Staying in the Armani Presidential Suite.
Grand Hotel & de Milan
Courtesy of the Grand Hotel & de Milan.
First opened in 1863, Grand Hotel et de Milan represents comfort and sophistication. Recently refurbished by Dimore Studio, the hotel’s design details are striking, as each room offers a unique combination of fabrics, paintings, and art objects. Enjoy a bite to eat at Caruso or Don Carlos, and a cocktail at Gerry’s Bar.
Whitewaller recommends: Booking the Puccini Room for a meeting.
Palazzo Segreti
Courtesy of Sina the Gray.
Charmingly dedicated to privacy and a seductive atmosphere, Palazzo Segreti exudes old-fashioned elegance and new-fashioned design. Warm colors and raw materials are in harmony throughout all 18 rooms (each unique—some with baths, others with views of Via Dante), with artistic details executed by Brizzi+Riefenstahl Studio.
Whitewaller recommends: Eating breakfast in the lounge bar.
The Bvlgari Hotel Milan
Bvlgari Hotel
In 2004, this location opened in Brera as the first Bulgari hotel. At the heart of classic and contemporary design, the hotel offers 58 elegant guest rooms and suites, relaxing public spaces, a new spa collection, a restaurant and a private dining room, a lush garden, a cigar room, two boardrooms, and sketches of Bulgari jewelry in each room.
Whitewaller recommends: Checking out The Mirror Cube installation in the garden.
