Best Milan hotel for: a more private stay
Even though Milan is a beautiful city, its constant buzz of department stores, galleries, and piazzas can make it difficult to relax. There’s a madness to the city that is intoxicating but sometimes it’s nice to experience some quiet too—and that’s exactly what Rocco Forte’s new property offers, a place where you can feel at home, a quiet retreat from all the excitement. The hotel’s name, Rocco Forte House announces that it is different than other hotels. The hotel is located on Via Manzoni, 46, directly in front of 18th century Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda, at the corner of Via della Spiga and in the center of Quadrilatero d’Oro (in English, the “Golden Rectangle”) of fashion. This is also very near to another highly anticipated opening by Rocco Forte: the Carlton Hotel. It will be welcoming guests in November on Via Senato right in front of State Archives.
The property aims to give the feel of a private residence. You don’t have to go through a grand entrance; you simply ring the doorbell. The hotel has a discreet elegance to it. Once you cross the threshold, a hidden courtyard awaits. Check-in is completed in the cozy, elegant lounge, and then you can head up to the apartments which have names instead of numbers: Duomo, Brera, Tortona… each one is named after one of the city’s neighborhoods.
There are options for both one and two bedrooms. Some come with balconies overlooking courtyards, and others have terraces offering spectacular views of the city. The 11 apartments are a range of sizes from 775 square feet to 1,453 sq. ft. The interiors are designed by Paolo Moschino and Olga Polizzi in collaboration with Olga Polizzi the design director at Rocco Forte Hotels. The brand’s hospitality approach is reflected through the sumptuous, comfortable furnishings, an abundance of velvet, parquet floor, the many books that can be read or at least flipped through, and the efficient marble kitchens which feel like those from luxury homes.
You can order a pizza, arrange to have a private chef prepare your meal or bring groceries into your apartment to cook it yourself. Marchesi, a Milanese institution in patisseries, provides breakfast. In the hushed atmosphere, it is almost surreal, given the central location of Rocco Forte House. Plan your days to visit the Brera Gallery or da Vinci’s. Last SupperShopping is a very Milanese pastime. Pick up the phone. The concierges at your hotel are ready to assist you. —Maddalena Fossati
Address: Via Alessandro Manzoni, 46, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
