ME Milan - Il Duca

In May 2015, ME Milan - Il Duca opened with chic, modern decor under the luxe ME by Meliá brand name. In the brief time it's been open, it has already played host to celebs like Adam Levine and Paris Hilton. Famed Italian architect Aldo Rossi crafted the building's 10-story facade in the early '90s from a rich mix of materials, including Mergano stone, green metal, and terra-cotta brick, plus the entryway is flanked by white marble columns. Inside, decor is clean and chic, with mid-century modern accents and design-conscious details, like freestanding curving wood accent walls, carpeted nooks that look like luxe living rooms, and artsy black-and-white photos of models, a nod, perhaps, to the hotel's status as a Fashion Week hotspot. The hotel prides itself on its attention to ambiance which is crafted by "Aura Managers" who attune light, scents, and sounds to the time of day and mood. Guests of the hotel range from luxury-seeking leisure travelers, to Hollywood elite and the fashion set. The Radio Rooftop Bar is a destination unto itself and a hotspot for hotel guests and socialites alike.

The hotel is situated right along the Piazza della Repubblica, near restaurants, shops, clubs, and luxury shopping, just outside of Area C, where the city limits its vehicular traffic. In 10- to 15-minutes, guests can walk to popular neighborhoods like the artsy Brera Design District, the clubs in Porta Garibaldi, and the center of the fashion district. For sights farther out, the Repubblica train and subway lines are just a three-minute walk. The historic center is south of the hotel, about 20 minutes by train, and not much longer on foot. Milano Centrale Station is a 13-minute walk. Linate Airport is a 20-minute drive, and Orio al Serio Airport and Malpensa Airport are a 47-minute drive

Guest rooms are chic, modern, and particularly spacious (some entry-level rooms measure over 300 square feet). Neutral beige tones, amber headboards hung over feather beds, and dark eucalyptus-wood furnishings offer a contemporary, gently Zen vibe. Stylish bathrooms have transparent doors, basin sinks, walk-in rainfall showers, and bidets, and some rooms and suites add freestanding tubs and swirled Carrara marble floors and walls. Suites, which feel like luxury apartments, can be downright expansive with living rooms, dining areas, terraces, and pool tables, plus an on-call "Aura Manager" that can adjust the lighting and scent of each space. Rooms are soundproof and come with the kind of luxe amenities worthy of a five-pearl hotel: adjustable lighting and temperature control, 47-inch flat-screen TVs with bluetooth-enabled surround-sound speakers, laptop safes, free Wi-Fi, and sometimes Nintendos or PS3s. Rooms also have Nespresso or Illy coffeemakers, minibars, organic toiletries, pillow and in-room spa menus, plus 24-hour room service, turndown service, and twice daily housekeeping. Views are of the courtyard or Piazza della Republica.

The hotel's crown jewel is its popular 10th-story Rooftop Bar, which offers tapas, lunch, dinner, and drinks from afternoon until late, plus expansive views of Milan's skyline. It's a popular spot on the Milanese social scene, but hotel guests can enjoy it solo during the daily breakfast (which may or may not be included in the room rate). The trendy STK steakhouse and lounge is said to be inspired by the NYC social scene, and is open late to live DJ accompaniment. There's also a bar and lounge area in the lobby, and lots of seating on a nice patio at the entrance to the hotel. The hotel offers a few meeting rooms and also has a small gym with weightlifting equipment and modern cardio equipment with individual screens. An in-room spa treatment menu is offered, but there's no proper spa, and the hotel lacks wellness features like a pool or sauna. Staff services are extensive -- concierge service, 24-hour room service, 24-hour "Aura Managers" in suites, valet parking (extra fee), etc. Pets are allowed (fee), and while the hotel isn't really oriented toward kids, it does offer family-friendly amenities, like extra beds and babysitting, albeit for additional charges.