Aethos Hotel Milan

The shared spaces had a nice Soho House vibe, and the bar was well designed. Staff were really friendly and welcoming, with a personal note and fruit basket waiting when we arrived. There were some thoughtful extras too: Woods Copenhagen amenities, toothpaste, a comb, and free sparkling and still water. The room didn’t live up to the pictures, though. In person it looked worn rather than aesthetic and pleasing. There were scratches on every wall, the air conditioning was very old, and the small shower was in a bathroom that felt empty and soulless. There was no decoration or proper cabinet for our things. The room and attention to detail didn’t feel like a five-star house. We also noticed an eye cream and medication missing from our room during the stay. Maybe they were thrown away by accident or put somewhere we couldn’t find them, but it was strange. We didn’t feel insecure, since we’d left much pricier items in the room. For us, the vibes were 4/5, the room 1/5, service 4/5, and value for money 1.5/5. We wouldn’t return at the same price. The rooms need to look and feel more like the pictures, and service could go further with touches like warm towels on arrival or a welcome spritz at the bar. Update: Aethos got in touch to resolve the issue with the “missing” items and even offered a refund. Their personal effort to sort it out and give us a better stay next time showed how much the people and staff care about providing a good stay, as I’d already mentioned in my review.

This was the worst hotel experience of my life. It’s not worth the money and nowhere near a 5-star hotel. We paid 700€ a night, but what really pushed me to write this review was how they handle money and how little respect or five-star service the hotel seems to value. A bouncer outside was rude every time we wanted to enter, and once he even pushed me because he thought I wasn’t a guest. Getting to our room meant passing him, then walking through reception, a coffee shop, an outdoor terrace, and another bar restaurant before reaching the hallway. There was just one person at reception, so checking in or getting help could take 20 minutes. The room decor was nice, but ours was on the ground floor with barely any daylight. The soundproofing was so bad it felt like people in other rooms were right outside our door. One night, our neighbors had a party and we could hear everything. It was a nightmare. At check-in they pre-authorized the full stay plus 100€ per night on my card. I thought that was weird, but accepted it. A few days later, while I was asleep, my husband messaged that another 1025€ had been blocked on our account. I went to reception and asked Selena what was going on. She said she didn’t know how to deal with it and would need to call administration. We said we could sort it out at checkout. She was still the only person there when we checked out, but then she said she understood and could help. She told us a colleague had placed the hold by “mistake” overnight and that she’d release it right away. I believed them, since it was a 5-star hotel, then traveled to Paris and back to my home country. Two weeks later, the money still hadn’t been released. When I call, they DON’T ANSWER. They DON’T ANSWER EMAILS either. They reply on WhatsApp with automated-sounding messages saying the money was released and it’s now my problem, but provide no proof. My bank says they haven’t released it and needs proof and void invoices. I asked the hotel, and they simply refuse to answer. I really hope you read this before booking and don’t set foot in this mediocre place.

The atmosphere is definitely the draw here. The bar has a one-of-a-kind vintage adventure lodge feel, with leather sofas, antique wood, and animal trophies. It felt straight out of a Hemingway novel, like another era. Service was mixed. Some bartenders were lively and engaging, while others seemed distracted or a bit careless. I let it go, but one exchange stayed with me. I asked about the large framed portrait on display, expecting it might have a story. A server joked, “Oh, that’s my cousin,” which came across as dismissive. The front desk said they’d check with the owner, but there was still no answer by checkout. It made me wonder whether the “vintage charm” was just for show if the staff didn’t care about the details. For a hotel that isn’t cheap, the hospitality could use more care. The vibe is cool, but the lack of warmth and attention makes the place feel more like a themed set than somewhere with real history. Worth stopping in for a drink and the atmosphere, but don’t expect thoughtful service.

My wife and I put together our own tour of Italy for our 20th anniversary, and we ended the trip at Aethos Milan Hotel in Milan. It was just the right place to finish. We loved the style throughout, from the lobby and elevator to the rooms, each with its own look and theme. The hotel had everything we wanted, and we couldn’t have picked a better location. The evening and morning hosts were both welcoming, pleasant, and friendly. At checkout, they were very helpful and made getting to the airport much easier. Everything about the stay was lovely.