Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center

The exteriors of the Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center are curved, smooth, and modern. But inside, it's a step back in time to a well-preserved, mid-20th century Italian hotel. The lobby's checkerboard floor, mirrored columns, marble-top reception desk, and well-stuffed couches are all so classically done, the room could be a movie set. The busts of ancient Roman emperors in niches only enhance the look. The restaurant and lounge are similarly reverent, with tall A-frame wooden cabinets behind the bar that showcase the liquor. Robin's egg-blue armchairs give the restaurant a relaxed air. The meeting rooms have red velvet chairs, red tablecloths, and a large red Oriental rug. Guests are a mix of leisure and business travelers. 

The Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center is located in Milan's 8th district, in the largest and oldest Chinese community in Italy. Established in the 1920s by immigrants from Zhejiang Province, the district is now filled with fabric stores, clothing boutiques, and the headquarters of several Italian-Chinese companies. The Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station (the second-largest train station in the city), is 10 minutes away by tram, making it easy to visit several different parts of town or get to other parts of the country. The Duomo di Milan, a Gothic cathedral built over six centuries, is 20 minutes away by metro. The Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery, home of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper" painting, is a 25-minute metro ride away. Fashionistas will want to check out the Quadrilatero della Moda district, the location of numerous high-fashion boutiques, which is a 26-minute ride away via the metro. The Porto Nuova business district, where several corporate offices are located, is 11 minutes away by tram. Malpensa Airport is an hour away via public transportation or car, while Linate Airport can be reached in 45 minutes by public transportation or about 25 minutes by car.

The 130 rooms at Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center are homey -- if dated -- and many have lightly patterned wallpaper accented with antique prints and stained-wood molding. Most rooms have double beds and heavy wood nightstands. Rooms range in level from Comfort units to Suites, and higher category rooms offer separate living areas with couches, chairs, and coffee tables. The views of nearby apartment buildings are forgettable, but the window treatments with flowery drapes are pretty. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi come standard, and newspapers are delivered daily. Superior Rooms and above also have trouser presses. Bathroom space increases with room category and all include shower/tub combos, except for Suites, which have separate walk-in showers and whirlpool tubs. However, some bathrooms look weathered, with cracked and faded tiling. 

For it's pearl category, the Leonardo Hotel offers fairly basic, but serviceable, features. Giorno Bistrot, the on-site restaurant, offers a modern take on traditional Milanese dishes, and a breakfast buffet is available for a fee. Caesar’s Bar serves drinks and includes an outdoor terrace with seating. The gym is just a few machines, but it's better than nothing. The business center includes fax and copy service. Four meeting spaces can hold up to 200 people, though the decor is dated. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.