Santa Marta Suites

The atmosphere of the historic Santa Marta Suites is both cozy and elegant. The lobby is composed of white granite floors, a large wooden front desk, exposed wooden beams, and white columns. There’s a cluttered vibe to the room, with the numerous antique and modern furnishings. An antique white Italian sofa and a gilded mirror complement the contemporary furnishings, which include leather couches and chairs and hanging art and sculptures. The restaurant is decked out in contemporary art, displays of wine bottles, and a hodgepodge of tables with white tablecloths. It’s bright and airy thanks to large floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the street. Most guests are vacationing couples. 

The Santa Marta Suites’ central location is one of its strongest selling points: It's situated in the historic center of Milan on a quiet street. The Duomo is a nine-minute walk away, while the Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” is displayed, is a 15-minute walk. Sforzesco Castle takes 15 minutes on foot to reach. The area doesn’t lack for diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars, while Via Montenapoleone -- an upscale shopping area -- is only a 17-minute walk from the hotel. The closest tram stop is a three-minute walk, and the Cordusio metro station is six minutes away on foot. Linate Airport is a half-hour drive. 

Rooms at the Santa Marta Suites are classic and elegant and come in a variety of color schemes. They’re spacious by Milan standards, with well-maintained interiors adorned with exposed wooden beams, luxurious inlaid parquet floors, and antique Italian furniture with a heavy emphasis on dark wood. Gilded mirrors and lamps complement the elegant floral curtains, rugs, armchairs, and upholstered headboards. Many of the rooms have marble fireplaces. Rooms are outfitted with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and Nespresso coffeemakers (note that coffee pods cost a fee). Some rooms have terraces, and rooms on upper floors have better views, though the elevator doesn’t reach the fifth floor. The bathrooms are attractive, with black marble counters, white vessel sinks, bidets, and glass walk-in showers (some bigger than others) with rainfall showerheads. Robes and slippers, hairdryers, and toiletries come standard. Accessible rooms are also available, unusual for this type of hotel.

As a small boutique hotel, the Santa Maria lacks a gym, spa, or business amenities, though it manages to provide a few wonderful features. The hotel's highlight could be its rooftop terrace, which has a lovely canopy of leaves shading wrought-iron tables and chairs. Thanks to the hotel's central location, this rooftop perch displays picturesque views of monuments such as the Duomo. There’s also an on-site Italian restaurant -- the Santa Marta Ristorante -- that provides vegan and gluten-free options for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends and 24-hour room service. Breakfast is served in the mornings, for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and there’s paid parking behind the building.