Hotel Dei Cavalieri

The Hotel Dei Cavalieri is situated in a 1949 building with a unique facade that curves with the street. Inside, decor feels sophisticated and high-end with rich black floors, wood walls, and leathery sofas and ottomans that are modern takes on classic Chesterfield designs. Standout accents include the elegant criss-crossing wood banisters, original to the building, and the glittering gold mosaic walls found in some halls and the stairwells. Guests' favorite spot to gather, though, is the 10th-story rooftop terrace lounge, which also plays host to the bar and restaurant in summer months. Unfortunately, guest rooms don't match the ritzy tone set in public spaces. But the excellent location and sizable rooms draw a host of guests, from business people to tourists, including families. 

The hotel is centrally located on Piazza Missori in the heart of Milan, in easy walking distance to historic and cultural sights, as well as restaurants, cafes, and shops. Guests can walk to attractions like the Duomo (five-minute walk), high-end shopping spot Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (six-minute walk), La Scala Opera House (10-minute walk), the Pinacoteca di Brera art museum (15-minute walk), and Santa Maria delle Grazie (20-minute walk). For sights further out, the Missouri metro stop is just a one-minute walk, and from here guests can get to Via Monte Napoleone, Milan's famous shopping street, in less than five minutes. Milan's central station is less than 15 minutes away via public transit, and the Malpensa Airport is about an hour away via public transit (it can take just as long by car). The hotel offers limo service, airport transfers, and on-site parking, albeit for extra fees. 

Rooms are well-sized and feature traditional decor that includes wood or carpeted floors, long drapes, and wood furniture. Though clean and well-maintained, decor can feel dull and outdated, with plain bedspreads and yellowish pastel walls devoid of decoration. Renovated Junior Suites are the exception and they feel more contemporary, with fresh white walls pairing well with dark wood accents and gallery-lit wall art. Bathrooms vary from white subway tiled to marbled, but tend to be roomy with combination showers and tubs, bidets, hairdryers, and free individual toiletries. Junior suites have chic black bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers and double sinks.

Rooms are air-conditioned and include desks, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and generously stocked minibars, though coffee/tea service is missing in entry-level rooms. Suites add sitting areas and Family Rooms can accommodate up to five guests. Guests find that the location near the trams can be noisy, so light sleepers may want to avoid lower, street-facing rooms.

Like its decor, Hotel Dei Cavalieri's features are a rather mixed bag. The hotel has a classy restaurant that serves Italian fare crafted from local ingredients, plus a sophisticated lobby bar that offers drinks and light dishes for lunch or snacks. In the summer, food and drinks are also served on the 10th-story rooftop terrace, which is a favorite spot among guests and displays great city views. The hotel offers a nice breakfast (though it may cost an extra fee) with a small but well-made spread of cold standards like pastries, fresh fruit, cereal, and coffee. 

For an advertised upscale property, the hotel is woefully short on wellness facilities -- that is, there aren't any. But service is high-end, with concierge and room service, ticket assistance, and laundry service. Limo service or airport transfers can be arranged, and parking is available on-site but costs an extra fee. Small dogs are allowed for an extra nightly fee, and their stay includes a dog bed, food, water bowl, and toy. The hotel has 12 meeting and event rooms, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.