Italy’s second-largest city is best known as the fashion and design capital of the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. There’s also plenty of history here (the city was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire). And soon, Milan will be front and center on the world stage as the host of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
But no matter what brings you to Milan, it’s important to choose a good hotel during your stay. I’ve been visiting the city for years and have stayed in many different places.
To help you find a hotel that fits your needs and budget, here’s my list of the best hotels in Milan:
1. Brera Prestige B&B
This three-star hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Brera, just a 10-minute walk from the famous Duomo. There are just a few rooms at this newly renovated boutique hotel, which is stylish and modern. Each room has soundproof windows, a mini fridge, a desk, and a flat-screen TV. The rooms are decorated in calming neutral tones and even have chromotherapy that you can switch to different colors (each color supposedly has different healing properties, but it’s also just fun).
The bathrooms are spacious and have a walk-in shower and bidet. The staff are also very friendly. It’s a lovely and quiet place that’s still central to everything. Just note that while it’s called a B&B, it doesn’t offer breakfast.
2. B&B Hotel Milano Sant'Ambrogio
This three-star hotel in the Centro Storico offers simple rooms with large-format photographs of Milan on the walls. The bright and airy rooms are a pretty good size and get plenty of natural light thanks to the large windows. The beds are really comfortable and all rooms have a desk, flat-screen TV and wardrobe. The bathrooms are on the small side but have walk-in showers and bidets.
I particularly like that the breakfast buffet is very varied and includes lots of pastries as well as fresh orange juice (which costs EUR 9.50 though). There’s also a rooftop terrace with great views, as well as a small snack bar downstairs if you want to eat something late at night but don’t want to leave the hotel. Overall, the hotel offers good value for first-time visitors who want to stay centrally but don’t want to spend a fortune.
3. Art Hotel Navigli
This four-star hotel is full of art (walking through the hallways almost makes you feel like you’re in a modern art museum). The hotel also has a wellness center with a small gym, sauna, and steam room. I also love the extensive breakfast buffet. It starts early (7am) and there’s a nice selection including eggs, meat, fresh pastries, and seasonal fruit. You can even make your own fresh juice using the juicer.
The rooms are a little dated, but they’re spacious and each has a flat-screen TV, minibar, kettle, and Nespresso machine. The showers are also a bit small and dated, but have great water pressure. It’s a unique property located just steps from one of the Navigli’s beautiful canals.
4. Magna Pars l'Hotel à Parfum
This five-star hotel carries on the tradition of the perfume factory it’s housed in, with an on-site perfume lab and soothing scents throughout. The entire building is decorated in soft tones and features modern art throughout. There’s an excellent free breakfast buffet, a rooftop bar, a wine lounge, and a wellness center with a steam room and gym.
Each of the hotel’s 68 spacious suites has its own unique scent, which also inspired the unique artwork by local artists that adorn the walls. All suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and comfortable beds (you can even choose your pillow from a pillow menu). Each suite has a desk, flat-screen TV, minibar, and leather chaise lounge for relaxing. The luxurious bathrooms are huge and made entirely of marble, with bespoke toiletries that are (of course) uniquely scented. Overall, this hotel is the perfect choice for travellers looking for a luxurious retreat that is still close to the Navigli canals with their great bars and restaurants.
5. BB Hotels Aparthotel Isola
Located in the street-art-filled Isola district, this aparthotel offers spacious apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes. Each apartment includes a stovetop, dishwasher, and kettle. There’s also a small supermarket right below the apartments, making this an ideal choice if you want to cook your own meals (no breakfast is provided).
The apartments have minimalist decor but have plenty of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and closets to store your belongings. The bathrooms are spacious too, and include a bidet, walk-in shower, towel warmers, and free toiletries. This is a great choice for long-term travelers who want the full functionality of an apartment a little away from the touristy cathedral district.
6. Bulgari Hotel Milano
Set in an 18th-century palazzo in Brera, this five-star boutique hotel is run by the fashion house of the same name. The Bulgari Hotel boasts lavish interiors designed by renowned Italian architect Antonio Citterio, which include exquisite marble, rich woods, and elegant furnishings. It is located right next to the Botanical Gardens and has its own huge private garden with a garden bar/restaurant. Another of the hotel’s restaurants, the Bulgari Bar, serves breakfast 24 hours a day. There is also a tranquil indoor pool and spa.
The hotel rooms are spacious and decorated with elegant Bulgari furnishings and wood accents. All rooms feature comfortable beds, desks, walk-in closets, and minibars. The bathrooms are huge and feature deep soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and complimentary bath products. If you’re looking to splurge, this is the hotel for you!
Whether you’re coming for fashion, design, history, or art, choosing a great hotel is paramount. Since the city attracts so many tourists, there are many hotels in Milan. But not all of them are worth staying in. Choose one from the list above and enjoy your visit to Italy’s second-largest city!