hotel Archive

Starhotel Rosa Grand

Starhotel Rosa Grand

Located right behind the Duomo is one of the many Starhotels- The Rosa Grand. Not a new hotel in Milan, but it just underwent a huge renovation and although it was reopened months ago, it had its opening party last week. It moved its entrance to Piazza Fontana and expanded the space of the hotel.

If you do not have the chance to stay here, come for a drink when you are downtown. The lobby is spralling with different rooms and huge seating areas. It is a different feel from the nearby Straf or Gray which are small and boutique. The Rosa Grand, is as its name entails, grand in terms of space. It is minimal and modern as you would expect from Milanese architecture but an old but new place to see and visit in the city.

website

Address: Piazza Fontana, 3

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The Gray Hotel Bar

The Gray is one of the most exclusive and high design hotels in Milan, located steps from the duomo and across the street from the Straf. But if you want to get away from the load music of hotel Straf’s bar or the people around Rinascente, head to the bar in the lobby of Hotel Gray. It is a really small bar, only a few tables, but it is extremely enjoyable and it makes you enjoy the company you are with.

The hotel lobby of the Gray is as simplistic as it gets, but high design and cool with a gigantic hanging bed/couch that takes up the center. The bar however has floor to ceiling windows that look out to the street, and that coupled with the white surrounding, give an airy and open feeling despite the tiny size. It is not cheap, but you don’t go the Gray expecting a deal. Go to enjoy a drink especially if you are downtown.

Website
Address: Via San Raffaele, 6
Tel: 02 720 8951
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Hotel Straf and Bar at Hotel Straf


The Staf hotel in Milan is one of the most popular, high design and coolest boutique hotels in the city. It is located right around the corner from the Duomo which makes it an ideal place to stay. There are only 64 rooms and 2 suites designed by fashion designer Vincenzo de Cotis who uses a eclectic mix of materials. It’s different, it’s atypical and it’s cool.

But if you aren’t looking for a hotel, go to the 1st floor bar at the Straf for a drink.

The bar stays in theme of being an unconventional space but is lively and full of well dressed people. There is not much seating inside, except a low leather couch that you sink into. But there is also space outside and many people standing in the street. When you turn the corner past the galleria, you know you are coming upon the Straf from the people and lighting.

It’s a must go to in the city for a drink before dinner or durning the day when you are downtown.

Address: via San Raffaele 3

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Bulgari Garden Bar

Through the smog and hustle of Milano is an oasis of green and serenity in the Brera district. As soon as you walk through the gates of the Bulgari, the city noise literally stops and it’s like walking through to another world. This is a world of luxury where no detail has gone unnoticed or unattended to. The phrase ‘You pay for the name’ however certainly holds true for this establishment and you also get the feeling that the people there are waiting and wanting to be noticed.

However, the garden setting is beautiful, the people are beautiful and suddenly, for some reason, the 19 euro cocktail accompanied by greasy potato chips unexpectedly materialize into greatness.

It is a garden bar that is busy enough for avid people watching, yet the sparse layout gives you enough breathing room so you can totally enjoy yourself.

And if for some reason you come across someone with really deep pockets, suggest moving your party to the balcony of the top floor Bulgari Suite with panoramic city views and all the luxury you could dream of. (2500euro/night)

Stop, Breathe in the fresh air of summer and enjoy the night!!

Bulgari Hotel

Address: Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7

Tel: 02 805 8051

website: www.bulgarihotels.com

The Garden Bar at Hotel Diana

The garden bar at the Sheraton’s Diana Majestic Hotel in Porta Venezia is perfect for this time of year. Dont be discouraged by the lobby entrance, simply push past the heavy curtain and make your way to the back garden because the place transforms itself. The garden is beautiful and the crowd is late 20’s-30’s well dressed but not stiff.

What is nice  about the garden bar at Hotel Diana is that the setting is chic and stylish- perfect for any occasion or any type of person- but its not caught up in its own hype like its overpriced neighbors. You are able to be yourself and be admired, but aren’t surrounded by people who are solely there to be seen.

The aperitivo offers good quality and a bounty of food and
the sunday american style brunch is one of the best in the city. But it gets busy, so it is recommended to make a reservation.

Sit in the outside garden when the weather is nice, but the inside bar with floor to ceiling windows looking out to the garden is cool as well, so if the weather doens’t comply, it will still be a nice night

Info:
Address : Viale Piave 42
Metro: Porta Venezia/tram 9, 20, 29, 30.
Tel: 02 2058 2081
HClub (Diana Garden) Website:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=53&EM=VTY_SI_dianamajestic_53_overview
Hours: 10am-1am daily.