1. It's a fabulous hotel set in the heart of the city. 2. Paying ?12 for a cup of tea sours the experience. 3. On balance I wouldn't go back.

I have stayed here a number of times in recent years. Key is the location - cannot be improved (although it can be noisy as reported by some). The key to this place is that it is THE grand old hotel of Milan and is of considerable importance in the history of the city (Verdi, Callas et al - the connection to La Scala is very strong) but it is not a 5* establishment. The rooms vary and come in different shapes and sizes and some are much better than others. I personally find most of them perfectly adequate (4* standard) and enjoy the atmosphere (compared to the Park hyatt for example) but I can see some may be put off if they come with very high expectations. That said, it is usually quite a bit cheaper than 4Seasons, Bulgari or Park Hyatt. On the issue of breakfast: don't waste your money (this is true for any hotel in Milan). Walk 50 yards into a bar and you will get much better for half the price. I find this a good choice but know it's not a deluxe hotel - rather a first-class piece of history. Probably not suited for most American travellers who look for modcons rather than atmosphere.

We stayed one night which was the last night of our stay in Italy Given the history of the hotel and that it has the honors of being distiguished as one of the Leading Hotels of the World, I was a bit disappointed from the moment I walked in the door. The service was poor. We arrived a bit early so our room was not ready yet - which was fine with us given that we had not informed the hotel of our unexpected early arrival. We didn't expect or demand a room. However, check in was poor and when asked if we could check in our bags until the room was ready we were told to just leave the bags in the lobby. We did not want to leave our bags unattended in the middle of the lobby and after waiting I reminded someone to attend to the bags. I was assured that our bags would be in my room upon my return and they were not. However, when I did call to the front desk and remind them that the bags were supposed to be brough up they were indeed brought up very quickly. I am not a demanding traveler but the service is not quite what you would expect from a hotel in this category. And especially what we paid for it (Approx. $500 U.S.) We never even opened the mini bar but upon check out there were 6 or 7 items on the bill. When I pointed out the charges and informed the woman that we didn't take anything from the mini bar, she revised the invoice without saying a word let alone an apology. The lobby is stunning so I was expecting the guest rooms to match. The room was small with wonderful high ceilings and beautiful wood floor and spacious marble bath. We had two wonderful balconies accessible from the bedroom and bathroom. The room decor was very simple in nature, lovely, but tired looking. The rooms could be so splendid with an upgrade. the bed was comfortable. The location can't be beat. It's in close proximity to exclusive shopping, the Duomo, and La Scala. Would we stay here again? No. I did enjoy my one night (heck, I am in Milan!) but the service was unacceptable. Given that there are plenty of other options in this price category go somewhere else!

Dont usually stay in Milan overnight, usually an in and out job in the day - always on business, wouldnt come as a Tourist My company stays here a lot on Business, it is one of the better Milan hotels at an ok sort of price Milan is very, very expensive for reasonable hotels. This one cost 290 Euro's (Breakfast 30 Euro's on top) for a loft style room (with balcony - that you can just about see out of). The reception were fine - very professional Lifts small but ok The Hotel has a feel of ancient opulence, you get a warm feeling in the bar area - I liked the place but did find it a little 'stuffy' Room was small but adequate - bed comfortable Bathroom of a high standard Overall room was good, nothing special though For the price of 290 Euro's if it was my money I'd expect a lot more - certainly a room much bigger that you had a bit more space I ordered room service Breakfast - this was a bit of let-down as the quality wasnt really there and as such I didnt eat anything - i would have given it a 4 rating had it not been for a poor breakfast The hotel is centrally located in Milan - fairly easy to find a decent restaurant if your walking I'd stay here again if it was on business, as there are far worse hotels in Milan but would never stay on Tourist money. Hotel is maybe about 50% overpriced

If you want to stay were the action is this is the place. Old world Italian charm this hotel is beautiful and the service was the best, from the doorman to the bartenders. My only complaint which I consider a big one was it was usually warm for October when I was there and there was no air condition in the room now consider this and the hotel on a busy street it did not make a pleasant night sleeping. When I called down to complain they stated that the air condition was turned off and there was no way to turn it back on. Having paid a lot of US Dollars for the night in a suite I would expect better in this hotel.