Top 5 Hotels in Milan

A Historic Hotel in Milan - Le Meridien Gallia

This stunning hotel, built in the art nouveau style in 1932, is situated close to Milan's main station. The Gallia's interior of glass and ironwork is reminiscent of the sleek ocean liners of the same period. In addition to the hotel's excellent facilities, it also has a dedicated business centre and conference hall which caters to groups up to 600. Rooms are luxuriously decorated with period furniture and marble bathrooms.

Rooms from 181 Euros (163 GBP)

Le Meridien Gallia, Piazza Duca d'Aosta 9, Milano 20124
Tel: +39 02 67851
www.lemeridien.com

Uber Edgy Minimalism - Hotel Straf

Not for the faint hearted, this unrepentantly high-design hotel is geared for fashionistas and other mortals looking for cutting edge hotel experience. Belying it's modest facade, the interiors, in concrete and black slate are utterly modern. Book the executive suite which has a balcony overlooking the Duomo (just doors away) or one of the five ‘wellbeing' rooms equipped with massage chairs, aromatherapy and chromotherapy.

Rooms from 308 Euros (278 GBP)

Hotel Straf, Via San Raffaele, 3 Milan
Tel: +39 02 805081
www.straf.it

Asia Meets Italy - Radission Blu Hotel

Opening early 2010 and located just north of the city centre, minutes from Milan's two trade fairs and 30 minutes from Malpensa Airport, Radisson Blu is perfect for the business traveller who still wants good access to the city centre (6.5 km) which is well served by public transport. Try the upgraded Business Rooms which include free WiFi and Nespresso machines complete with a variety of coffees.

Rooms from 225 Euros (203 GBP)

Radisson Blu Hotel, Via Villa Pizzone 24, 20156 Milan
Tel: + 353 1 7060269
www.radissonblu.com/hotel-milan

Unbeatable location - Hotel The Gray

Super Stylish and brilliantly located just off the Piazza del Duomo, near the Galleria, the Scala Opera house and the centre of Milan's shopping district. With just 21 guest rooms (all individually designed) this sleek and modern hotel sets the scene in its reception with giant fuschia upholstered swing suspended from the ceiling. Some rooms come equipped with king size beds and round hydro tubs whilst others have private workout rooms.

Rooms from 207 Euros (186 GBP)

Hotel The Gray, Via San Raffaele, 1, 20121 Milan
Tel: +39 02 720 8951
www.hotelthegray.com

Cream of the crop - Four Seasons Hotel Milano

Arguably one of the finest hotels in Milan, the Four Seasons pulls rank in the luxury department with its attention to detail. Spacious rooms, marble bathrooms with heated floors and walk in closets combined with top class 24 hr business services which include multilingual concierge and translation service. Ask for one of the five rooms and suites situated round a central enclosed courtyard with balconies running round every level.

Rooms from 550 Euros (489 GBP)

Four Seasons Hotel Milano, Via Gesu 6/8, Milan
Tel: +39 02 77088
www.fourseasons.com/milan

Milan's Top 10 Restaurants

Bebel's Ristorante

Italian Smart/Casual $$

This elegant restaurant is a favourite haunt of Miucca Prada and journalists from the nearby offices of Corriere della Sera, Italy's most prestigious newspaper. Understandable, given its refined Art Nouveau styling and warm ambience. The menu incorporates many Lombardy dishes and seasonal ingredients, such as Risotto Milanese and sautéed calf's liver as well as delicious fish and grilled dishes.

Via San Marco, 38, 20121 Milan Tel: +39 02 657 1658 (Closed Sundays)

La Libera

Italian Casual $

A charming little trattoria in the upcoming Brera district - the Milanese equivalent to Monmartre. Serving traditional Italian food, try the Sea bass marinated pepper salad or the tenderloin with Porcini crust.

Via Palermo 21, Milan
Tel: +39 02 805 3603

Cracco-Peck

Italian Smart $$

Modern, sleek interiors and the talent of master chef Carlo Cracco make this a perfect fine-dining choice. Close to the Duomo, the restaurant is highly rated by all the best Italian guides and has been awarded two Michelin stars since its opening in 2001.

Via Victor Hugo 4, Milan
Tel: +39 02 876 774 (Closed Sunday)
www.peck.it

Just Cavalli Cafe

Italian Smart/Casual $$

Just Cavalli Cafe, located inside the Torre Branca tower in the Parco Sempione, is an excellent place to spot celebrities and enjoy a trendy lunch or dinner. Enjoy a relaxing meal or after dinner drinks on a sofa in the garden. The modern cafe (whose decor changes every six months, reflects Tuscan designer, Roberto Cavalli's spirit of extravagance and style. Try the steamed octopus dressed with dark olive oil and cannellini bean sauce garnished with steamed clams and finish with the pumkin and gorgonzola cheese mousse served with pears and pickled tomatoes.

Viale Camoens, Torre Branca, Milan
Tel: +39 02 311 817 (Closed Sunday)
www.justcavallicafe.com

Ristorante Da Giacomo

Italian Smart $$

Widely known amongst the fashion industry crowd but tucked away down an anonymous residential street, this high class trattoria has been pulling in the movers and shakers from the rag trade to captains of industry. Far from pretentious, the service is charmingly old fashioned and the Tuscan-based cuisine is reliable and delicious with florentina steaks backing up an impressive range of just-off-the-boat seafood.

6 Via Pascale Sottocorno, Milan
Tel: +39 02 7602 3313 (Booking essential)

L'Osteria Del Corso

Italian Casual $$

This legendary palazzo di cucina is newly revamped and seems to be as popular as ever. Rub shoulders with football stars and beautiful people as you dine on fresh pasta or gnocchi with amazing cream and tomato sauces. Follow your meal with a glass of Sambuca or a Cuban in the Smoking Lounge.

75 Corso Garibaldi, Via Statuto, Milan
Tel: +39 02 659 7441 (Cash only)
www.osteriadelcorso.it

Trattoria Milanese

Italian Casual $

More funky than trendy, this relaxed family-run trattoria (since 1933) is popular with the locals because, together with traditional milanese faire comes delicacies such as mondeghili (a fried cake of minced beef, Milan sausage, liverwurst, parsley and Parmesan) and delightfully retro puddings of warm zabaglione. Dine at long tables crowded with locals, businessmen and tourists.

Via Santa Marta, 11, 20123 Milan
Tel: +39 02 8645 1991

Yar

Russian Smart/Casual $$

Favoured by fashion designers Kean Etro and Dolce e Gabbana, this elegant restaurant serves up the very best of Russian cooking such as borscht and salmon ravioli to beef stroganoff. In the bistro-bar, guest can taste 18 kinds of vodka lined up behind the bar, served with snacks laced with caviar.

Via Mercalli, 22, Milan
Tel: +39 02 58309603 (Closed for lunch and Mondays)

Peck

Italian Deli/Cafe Casual $$

Think Fortum and Mason or Dean &DeLuca with an extra glossy edge. This superior deli houses three floors dedicated to the finest food, wines, prepared meals, gifts and elegant cafe. The affluent clientele are dressed in furs and bespoke tailoring. Peck has financed the hugely successful Cracco-Peck restaurant nearby.

Via Spadari, 9, Milan
Tel: +39 02 802 3161 (Closed Sundays and Monday mornings)
www.peck.it

Trussardi alla Scala

Italian Smart $$

This first-floor restaurant (which has a bar on the street level) is situated in a Truddardi-owned palazzo, just to the left of the famous La Scala opera house. Diners can sink into the ochre-coloured sofas and armchairs and enjoy the view of the Piazza della Scala or watch the spectacle of the open kitchen. Fish and vegetable dishes predominate and there are excellent daily specials.

Piazza della Scala 5, Milan
Tel: +39 02 8068 8201 (closed on Sunday)
www. Marinoallascalla.com