The Square Milano Duomo

Built in the 1940s, The Square Milano Hotel Duomo’s geometric exteriors look like a bland office building, but the renovated interiors are fresh and modern. The lobby is bright with white walls, marbled tiling, a large spiral staircase, and a sleek black front desk. Images highlighting Milan’s fashion and architecture flash in rotation on a large paneled screen, while a handful of suede club chairs form a small seating area. The contemporary aesthetic continues throughout the hotel’s common areas, from the glittering, light-filled counter at the lobby bar to the sprawling white breakfast room. The vibe attracts tourists (mostly couples) looking for a hotel that reflects Milan’s stylish reputation, but all the swank does mean that coziness gets somewhat compromised.  

On a large road a six-minute walk from Milan’s main Piazza del Duomo square and its famous Gothic cathedral, the hotel does experience minor noise disturbance from traffic, but its location is a boon for anyone wanting tourist sites within easy reach. It’s another six minutes on foot to the shops and cafes at the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and a seven-minute walk to the fantastic window displays of the fashion district. The famous La Scala opera house and museum is a 10-minute walk away. Several tram and metro stops are conveniently within one- to two-minute walks away. In 15 minutes on public transport passengers will reach other popular sites like the Santa Maria delle Grazie church (home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting) and the Pinacoteca di Brera art museum.

Soundproofed and spacious, rooms here are uncluttered and incredibly modern, with hardwood floors and dark wood work desks and cabinets against cream walls. Recessed spotlights, gold-base desk lamps, and plush materials like leather chairs and suede headboards make the spaces feel ultra-sophisticated. Chocolates left on the bed every evening are a sweet touch. No drawers for storing belongings are provided in either Deluxe or Executive Rooms; small open closets will have to suffice. Executive Rooms have larger beds and comfy extra seating, and many include small balconies looking out onto Piazza del Duomo and the iconic Velasca Tower rising above its surrounding classic architecture. White marbled bathrooms are simple and spotless, with large mirrors above the sinks. Walk-in showers have both handheld and rainfall showerheads. Exclusive hotel-brand toiletries and hairdryers are provided. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Coffee drinkers will appreciate the Nespresso machines, and tea kettles are also provided. Well-stocked minibars include unconventional items like Arizona Iced Tea. As is the law in Italy, irons aren't provided in rooms. 

Like many hotels in the center of Milan, amenities here are limited to dining and meeting spaces -- there's no pool or fitness center on-site. The Arya restaurant and bar on the 10th floor offers Italian cuisine and cocktails for lunch and dinner in a bright, airy space with large windows overlooking lovely city panoramas. It's also the hotel’s breakfast room, where daily breakfast buffets, included with room rates, provide a sizable spread of eggs, meats, cheeses, pastries, and fruit. The restaurant's food is also offered for 24-hour room service. The lounge bar in the lobby is comparatively casual, with yellow stools and dark wood tables, but it stands out for not just serving happy hour drinks, but also light breakfast options and snacks throughout the day. The lobby also offers free coffee, tea, and juice all day. While there is no business center, three meeting rooms of varying sizes are available, with smart black chairs, hardwood floors, and soundproofed windows inside spaces bright with natural light. Each comes with features conducive for business or personal events, like 90-inch plasma touch screens, video projectors, and audio equipment. Wi-Fi in all meeting rooms, plus the hotel’s other common areas, is free.Airport pickups and drop-offs are available for extra charges, and the hotel owns a covered parking lot nearby with hefty per-day fees. Laundry services also come with surcharges.