Quadrilatero della Moda

The neo-Gothic Grand Hotel et de Milan has been open since 1863–and run by three generations of the same family. Local design firm Dimore Studio recently renovated the interiors, which marry classic elements (parquet wood floors, Oriental rugs) with modern touches like custom made seating and sleek, sculptural lighting. Given its history, it’s a cultural experience on its own, and it’s within walking distance of some of the city’s best—including La Scala and the fashion district on Via Montenapoleone.

A breakfast of green juice and poached eggs in the wooded courtyard of a converted fifteenth-century convent might not be what you’d expect from a hotel in the center of Milan, but that’s what you get—and it’s as delightful as it sounds. The rooms are large and light-filled; here and there, frescos and architectural details from the original convent reveal themselves. And the bathrooms are enormous, with toiletries from Acqua di Parma. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the Duomo and a number of parks, museums, restaurants, and any luxury store you can think of. If it rains—or even if it doesn’t—decamp downstairs to the Patricia Urquiola–designed spa for a few hours. The pool marries history (ancient vaulted ceilings, in this case) with minimalist chic.