The Four Seasons Milan
The Four Seasons Milan is still the best address in the city. It’s location on a quiet street is only four blocks from La Scala. However, the real draw has always been its proximity to all of the world’s best known Italian fashion houses. You can be sure that for any of the collection shows in Milan this hotel is the first one to book up and reservations are often arranged a year in advance. Needless to say it is a magnate for fashionistas and politicos, with a guest log that resembles People's weekly celebrity pin-ups. The demanding guests that frequent this gem know about service and this hotel delivers.
It is an understated property whose origins date back to a 15th century convent. Thick plastered walls, cloister columns and fresco fragments add a historic backdrop to chic contemporary design in this three-story structure. Stone floors and trim burl cabinetry in the lobby and lounge complement the columns and frescoes that once marked the convent. The residential-style seating is casual yet exceptionally elegant, with a fireplace adding a flame to the refined yet relaxing aura. Tea and cocktails are served in the handsome foyer.
The elegant La Veranda restaurant beyond is filled with light as it overlooks the cloister courtyard. This continues to be a hot spot for fashion-industry lunching and pre-show powwows.
Steps drop to the celebrated, dinner-only Il Teatro restaurant, which is cloaked in rich paneling. The latter serves from a traditional menu pairing rare wines with exceptional attention to those from the Lombardy region. Those attending the opera often make this there dining destination when the curtain falls.
For now guests exercise in the small temporary health club, that is until the new small spa facility is completed in 2010.
Guest rooms are fastidiously tasteful, with Frette linens, Irish wool rugs atop polished parquet floors, Fortuny fabrics, and trim appointments of burled pear wood that contrast softly with the pale yellow walls. French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows brighten most rooms. All furnish opulent goodies, new flat-screen TVs with VCRs or DVD players, CD players, dual-line phones, and king or queen beds. Large Carrera marble baths boast steam-resistant mirrors, heated floors and towel rails, stall showers, Aqua di Parma toiletries.
Superior rooms are fitted with queen beds, and deluxe units on the top two floors have large conversation areas and overlook Via Gesu or the cloister garden. On the corners, are studios with sleeping and sitting areas separated by a step or a screen. Windows face the baronial gardens next door.
Cloister suites feature floor-to-ceiling French doors opening to small terraces and varnished walk-in closets bigger than many hotel rooms in this city. Because of the street noise, it is best to request one of the rooms facing the inner courtyard to guarantee tranquility.
If anyone doubted its ranking, 24-hour rooms service, turndown and twice-daily maid service bolster this hotel's standings as a deluxe operation. Smoke-free rooms are available, as are units designed for travelers with disabilities.
For more details on the Four Seasons Milan and other luxury properties in Italy, please contact our Virtuoso Trave Specialist Stefano@classictravel.com or call 212-404-6723.
