Milan is the city synonymous of fashion. Home to La Scala, easily the most famous of all opera houses, which opened its doors for the first time back in 1778 and today includes the Museo Teatrale alla Scala. Milan is also an economic powerhouse and is constantly re-inventing itself by adding new, often avant-garde buildings to its already impressive cityscape.
This city that was home to some of the biggest names in design from Rossana Orlandi to Carla Sozzani is one of the cultural and historical center of Art in all Europe as well as a reference in Design. With one of the most important design week in the world, that receives millions of people while this event happens.
For the ones that are looking for a place to stay, eat and shop while visit this amazing city, here are the best guide tips to have an unforgettable journey in Milan city.
Hotels and Resorts
Hosted in the splendid setting of an elegant old building in Downtown Milan, a new hotel concept. Located in the heart of Milan, between the Duomo and the Sforzesco Castle, the ancient soul merges with a modern image, made of sohistication and elegance. Raw materials, soft lighting, precious parquet, vibrant colors but never excessive: an architectural project that wanted the feeling of a second home, focusing on tailor.made livings and intimacy of the spaces.
The Straf Hotel is a fusion of Italian fashion, original design and elegance. It combines minimalist design and classic Italian architecture. It is located only a few steps from the Duomo cathedral, places guests at the core of Milan, moments from the fashionable Via Montenapoleone, the shopping districts and La Scala Opera house.
Blending recycled materials into new surroundings in a concept that shakes up the interior of a 19th century Milan palazzo, architect and artist Vincenzo de Cotiis has achieved his goal of creating a visually striking alternative to standard hotel design.
3 Rooms is an intimate hotel located in the courtyard of 10 Corso Como Milano It counts 3 suites that offer a weary traveller the personal hospitality of 10 Corso Como, a true home away from home. The 3 suites, all with full service amenities and each one reachable by a private entrance, are furnished in homage to the vision of many mid-20th Century designers and architects from around the world.
Hotel Milano Scala, a 4-star Superior property located in the heart of Milan, allows the guests to find the best destinations at short walking distance: the Brera neighborhood, the Cathedral (Duomo), the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery (Galleria), the “La Scala” Theatre, but also the “Fashion Streets” such as Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
A place rich in atmosphere, full of traces left by the passage of great personalities whose names have shaped history. Opened in 1863, the Grand Hotel et de Milan preserves all the charm of an ancient Milanese “house”. It is still nowadays the favourite hotel of big names of the world of culture, entertainment, fashion, music, national and international business. Located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the financial district, the Scala Opera House, the Fashion district and the Duomo Cathedral, the Grand Hotel et de Milan with its bars and restaurants, gourmand enclaves of the city, is the perfect place to stay, whether for pleasure or for business.
Located on a private street between Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, La Scala and the Accademia di Brera, in a tastefully renovated 18th-century Milanese palazzo is the Bulgari Hotel Milan, decorated in a refined yet welcoming atmosphere, an expression of the constant attention to detail for which Bulgari is famous.
One such space is the Bulgari Hotel’s 4,000-square-meter private garden, a natural extension of the nearby Botanical Garden, a restorative oasis of serenity and relaxation in the midst of Milan’s busy pace.
Galleries
Plusdesign is at once a gallery and a brand specialising in limited edition furniture and lighting. Everything we make is the work of individual artists and designers whose one point in common is an urge to experiment. Aimed to create not just a physical space, but also a space for reflection and cross-fertilisation between the different worlds and working methods developing at a time when the distinction between artistic endeavour and design is increasingly blurred.
Design Gallery Milano begins the own activity in first years 80’ and it is placed very soon like ideal point of reference for the contemporary design of search.From the 1988, concluded the experience of Memphis, of which Brunella and Mario Godani have been co-founders, Design Gallery Milano begins to produce.
The gallery develops and produced collections that comprise the totally free work of every designer invited to participate: furniture and objects, of course, but also marbles, ceramics, silver, bronzes, carpets, blown glass , plastics.
Galleria Carla Sozzani opens in 1990 in Milan, devoted to art, photography, design and architecture. The gallery is located in a former industrial building, typical of the Milanese architecture. Since its opening, Galleria Carla Sozzani has established itself as one of the most important photography galleries in Italy. Next to the gallery, the bookshop presents a wide selection of new and classic publications on art, architecture, design, graphics and fashion, with a strong emphasis on photography.
For over 20 years Massimo De Carlo has played an important role in introducing Italian artists to European and American audiences and European artists to Italy, promoting the establishment of a vital dialogue between its artists and national and international institutions.Massimo De Carlo represents diverse artists who work with a variety of media, in an extraordinary combination of painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, photography, performance and video.
Restaurants
The Cube sits on the Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Milan. Dominated by the Cathedral, the Piazza is filled with monumental and impressive buildings, and has an historical, artistic, cultural and social importance, known as the place to mingle with the Milanese. Is completely transparent and made of glass enclosed by an aluminum, laser cut. The interior is white Corian™ combined with matt and lacquered wood. The outdoor terrace offers a stunning view over the city of Milan. The Cube is situated on a 19-th century palazzo overlooking the Piazza del Duomo.
Il Ristorante Trussardi Alla Scala
Il Ristorante Trussardi Alla Scala recipe is like a documentary film in which every ingredient plays a key role. And in this special story, there are only protagonists, not bit players. Raw materials of the finest quality are at the heart of our cuisine. We use the masterful techniques to enhance the flavor of the ingredients chosen according to the season and the area.
A contemporary bistrot designed by a group of partners. Among them are managers, art collectors, lawyers and architects, as well as the star chef Andrea Berton, united in their passion for modern, unadorned italian cuisine. In three words, Pisacco is Fresh, professional, affordable.
Bamboo Bar, with its double volume ceiling, louvered window Wall and backlit onyx features, creates a prefect place to meet friends, discuss business during an informal lunch or simply watch the world go by while enjoying an elegante afternoon tea or a pre dinner Aperitivo. Overlooking magnificient skyline and Terraces of the city, the Armani Hotel Lounge offers an yet elegante ambience surrounded by relaxing atmosphere and good music.
Museums
Located in an ancient convent and houses paintings of artists like Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, as well as, international artists such as Rembrandt and Van Dyck, the Brera Art Gallery opens almost every days. On weekday mornings the museum opens also the botanical gardens: a relaxing stop between secular trees, in downtown Milan. 28, Brera street.
Unique on the cultural circuit in Italy, the Triennale Design Museum showcases Italian design by means of a series of representations that are renewed annually. A dynamic museum that is savvy enough to recurrently renew itself and offer visitors insights and opinions with diversified and avant-garde inroads into the universe of design. A museum that evokes emotions and involves the senses. A live organism that is forever in discussion and can question and contradict itself.
Spas
The newly reinvigorated Culti Day Spa is dedicated to beauty. Across 1,200sqmc, this temple pioneer Alessandro Agrati, who has delivered Milan some of the most cutting edge treatments on the market. As well as the standard menu of massage and facials, the Culti Day Spa boasts spaces specifically designed for mud and clay applications, a water and fire room, the first Nordic-style concept sauna in Italy, and even a secret graden.
Younique is a serenely theatrical two-storey health club, replete with indulgent spa treatments and, for those so inclined, vigorous gym workouts. Banish all thoughts, however, of crowded spaces or of jostling for quality time on the exercise ball. Younique’s mantra revolves around the curative powers of introspective solitude.
Roman culture that first taught how to feel beautiful, relaxed and healthy, through a deep knowledge of oneself : “Mens sana in corpore sano”.
This is the heart and concept of Aquae Calidae: an old habit and a modern architecture combined together to create an exclusive and peaceful shelter in the the city; a place where you can re-discover yourselves and leave the daily stress in an environment where every unnecessary element is removed.
Bad growing is a sin in image conscious Milan and there’s no better way of ensuring that you’re perfectly primed than taking a wirl in this opulent spa combining traditional Western and Oriental techniques. Don’t miss th be faboulous facial treatment wich is very blissful indeed.
