Palazzo Parigi

The gorgeous Palazzo Parigi mixes Milanese design with Parisian panache, and the effect is decidedly majestic.

• That every one of the 98 rooms comes with its own outdoor space
• The hotel’s location, which is a stone’s throw from the Brera design district and a short walk from the Quadrilatero d’Oro
• The over 18,000-square-foot spa, the largest in the city

Opened in fall 2013, Palazzo Parigi is the stylish outcome of what happens when an Italian architect and a French interior designer join forces. The lady of the house is architect Paola Giambelli, the descendant of a well-known family of builders in Italy, who purchased the 10-story building (it formerly housed a bank) in 2008 and envisioned the project. She teamed up with Paris-based star designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the man behind the Four Seasons George V in Paris, among other five-star properties. Together, they created an elegant and opulent home base for in-the-know visitors to Milan.

The wow factor hits you as soon as you enter the grand neoclassical lobby, with fresh flowers and antiques adorning every surface, the sweeping Venetian marble staircase, and a large wrought-iron skylight that echoes the design of the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. With high ceilings, grand chandeliers and marble terrazzo flooring, the aesthetic is unadulterated splendor. Upstairs, the 98 rooms and suites are a bit more subdued, though no less pampering. Decorated in soothing natural tones with 17th-century paintings and contemporary furnishings, they are either Milanese or Parisian in style. Guests with a predilection for modern, minimalist spaces should opt for the former, whereas the latter embody Parisian sophistication with a rather classic flair. All rooms offer a balcony or terrace, expansive marble bathrooms and plenty of natural light. Of note is the Duomo Suite, which, as its name suggests, has views of the spires of Milan’s iconic cathedral.

Of the four dining venues, Caffe Parigi is a favorite for locals and guests alike. A feast for the eyes, its gorgeous parquet flooring is made from eight different types of wood and draws inspiration from the city’s Villa Reale. Other options include the main restaurant, which serves refined Italian cuisine, the peaceful Winter Garden, and (in the summer months only) the leafy, al fresco Il Giardino — ideal for a leisurely lunch on a summer day. Travelers who like to maintain their fitness while on the road will appreciate the gym and yoga and Pilates studio, which are located within the sprawling, 18,000-square-foot spa. The ultimate place to relax, it has a swimming pool, Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, hammam and more.

Families and couples with a penchant for sheer, unabashed old-world luxury.