Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan

Originally designed by Giuseppe Laveni and Aldo Avati in 1932, the Excelsior Hotel Gallia has many traditional details of Belle Epoque architecture, such as columns that recall French Classicism and a curvy wrought-iron awning. In 2010, Marco Piva was brought in to redo the interior and add an extension, and the architect envisioned a glossy take on Art Deco style. A grand staircase with a banister made of marble columns and iron flowers is now lit with a mod Murano glass "waterfall" chandelier. Antique granite lines the lobby and reception areas. Much of the interior accents traditional materials with layers of shiny gold or glass. Several Italian furniture designers -- B&B Italia, Cassina, Fendi Casa, Flos -- created urbane chairs and sofas for the space. The Gallia Lounge has glass doors, gilt tables, velvet curtains, and long leather couches. Although it does attract business travelers, the primary market here is design- and luxury-minded tourists.

The hotel is situated in Porta Nuova, a neighborhood named after a Napoleonic triumphal arch that's one of the main business districts of Milan. Several corporate offices are less than 10 minutes away from the hotel on foot, including those of Deutsche Bank and Walt Disney. For tourists, many major destinations are either a short walk or ride away. The central train station, Milano Centrale, is only a three-minute walk, and it's possible to catch trains, buses, subways, trolleys, and taxis from there. The Duomo di Milan (Milan Cathedral) is about 10 minutes away by car or metro. Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" is located at the ‎Santa Maria delle Grazie, a 20-minute metro ride from the train station. The Via Montenapoleone fashion district takes about eight minutes to reach on the metro. Teatro alla Scala (La Scala Theater), where many of Italy's greatest opera singers and ballet dancers have performed, is five minutes away on foot. The Malpensa Airport is an hour away via public transportation or a 40- to 50-minute drive, while Linate Airport can be reached in 35 to 45 minutes by public transportation or about 20 minutes by car.

When Marco Piva's team redesigned the 235 Excelsior Hotel Gallia rooms in 2010, a concerted effort was made to employ Milanese designers for the furniture and use Italian materials. The result is a dapper decor scheme that uses a combination of dark, polished surfaces and light, reflective ones. A lot of care has been put into the design of even the smallest rooms, which use a combination of dark-hued wood and cream and chocolate brown textiles to create an executive boardroom aura. As the rooms get bigger, the living area increases, as does the amount of lounge furniture. Smooth-leather chairs and sofas have sharp edges and corners. Room perks include minibars, coffeemakers, and bathrobes. Bathrooms are generously sized, with glass-enclosed shower/tub combos and top-shelf fittings. Trussardi toiletries, scales, and bidets come standard. 

Suites are huge; in fact, the Katara suite is one of the largest in Italy. Many are inspired by a theme or designer and have a completely distinct aesthetic from the other units. Suites may have some combination of kitchenettes, dining areas, steam showers, butler service, and terraces, and some even have bulletproof windows. 

The Excelsior Hotel Gallia has a full spectrum of luxury features, including a few surprising perks that add to its overall polish. A handful of on-site restaurants and bars offer numerous dining options. The rooftop Terrazza Gallia offers a contemporary take on Italian cuisine, with dishes such as Milanese risotto with veal marrowbone ragout and citrus fruits. Deeper into the hotel, the Wine Cellar offers 300 varietals plus private dining and cooking lessons. The Cigar Lounge serves Havana stogies plus French and Italian cognacs and brandies. Business travelers or meeting organizers may want to take advantage of the large amount of meeting space, which can accommodate more than 650 people in spaces ranging from boardrooms to ballrooms. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and Las Cupola screening room provides a 23-seat viewing space with 586 backlit mirrors. For pampering, the Shiseido Spa has massages, a hot tub, a barber, a manicurist, and plenty of other treatments and services. The on-site gym has treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, and free weights. There's also an indoor pool with mood lighting and enough space to do laps.