The Luxurious New Retreat in the Heart of Milan's Fashion District

MILAN — From the outside, Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Gran Spa looks like any of Milan's modern office buildings — glassy windows, metal frame, business-y. Just take a deep breath and walk inside. If the magnificent Murano glass chandelier doesn't blow your mind, then the "I wanna wear a ballgown and traipse down this luscious marble staircase" will. Palazzo Parigi is neoclassical luxe with a French twist throughout its ten floors. Its vibe is cosmpolitan and stylish, shown off by its staff, a well-heeled team of polygots straight from the runway. Location is key: Turn the corner, and you're in the Fashion Quadrangle, the very epicenter of Milan's finest.

CHECKING IN

What's New

Palazzo Parigi is what's new. This is the very first of Milan's next generation hotels — a large-scale boutique hotel. It's in the thick of things, just around the corner from Via Solferino, my favorite street in the city, and an easy to walk to Piazza del Duomo.

The master bedroom suite.

A room with a view.

In the Room

All 98 rooms and suites are styled to be mod Milanese or chic Parisian, which means either Italian design touches (dark wood and metal) or French ornamental details accenting the overall neutral tones by architect and owner Paola Giambelli. Somehow, Giambelli is able to fight the Milan greys to make the rooms bright, airy, and luminous. If you think the minibar is well stocked, the Clarins lineup in the bathroom will make you never want to leave.

Room with a View

I stayed on the fourth floor with a view downtown and a balcony facing the garden. This was perfect. I'm not a fan of the inner courtyard views, though anything above floor six is great.

What's on Site

The third floor spa is poised to wow. Ground level lounge bar Caffé Parigi feels like Daddy Warbucks' study, while the restaurant is a neoclassical homage to a catwalk. The garden is where you want to head to for afternoon/evening cocktails in warmer months. WiFi connection is a bit tricky but easy to get after a few tries.

Palazzo Parigi Hotel's Milanese-inspired restaurant.

The Food

Old-school cocktail bar with excellent vintage drinks. Palazzo Parigi's restauranti is all about traditional Milanese dishes.

This Place Is Perfect For

A weekend of fabulousness. Palazzo Parigi is like lathering up in luxe.

But Not So Perfect For

Anyone looking for a cheap escape.

CHECKING OUT

Neighborhood Vibe

Very Milanese. In other words, quiet and stylish. The hotel is just around the corner from Giardini Pubblici, one of Milan's large public parks where you can hang out, picnic, work out.

WHAT TO DO NEARBY

Eat

Fishbar de Milan
Via Montebello, 7; +39-02-6208-7748
Clever little fish joint whose sister restaurant MeatBar is right around the corner.

Open Baladin
Via Solferino, 56; +39-02-659-7758
Artisanal beer and burgers, the sister to the Roman eatery of the same name.

La Briciola
Via Solferino, 25; +39-02-655-1012
Old-school Milanese.

Pisacco
Via Solferino, 48; +39-02-9176-5472
Fancy pants bistro.

Bar Brera
Via Brera, 23; +39-02-877091
Historic bar, best for people watching.

Art

Galleria Arte Moderna
Via Palestro, 16; +39-02-8844-5947

Villa Necchi Campiglio
Via Mozart, 14; +39-02-7634-0121

Antonio Colombo Galleria Pinacoteca Brera
Via Solferino, 44; +39-02-2906-0171

Shop

You are walking distance to the best shopping and window shopping streets — Via Montenapoleone, Via Pontaccio, Corso Como, Via Manzoni — and just around the corner from Matia's (piazza Carlo Mirabello, 4; +39-02-6269-4535), an excellent multi-brand designer outlet.

FIND IT

Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa
1 Corso di Porta Nuova,
Milano, Italy 20121
+39-02-625-625

BOOK IT

Deluxe rooms start at $678 per night. Click here for reservations.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

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