Hotel Bristol

The location was perfect for our Olympics trip. Being close to the train station was crucial for getting around. The room was on the small side, and good luck fitting in the little shower, but it was clean. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, and we had roof access from our room, which made watching the sunset spectacular. I do think I paid more than it was ultimately worth.

Hotel Bristol is a dependable base beside Milan Central Station, with clean, functional rooms, friendly staff and a good breakfast. It's a strong choice for train travellers, easy transport connections, or a short overnight stay before or after a journey. Some updates could freshen the rooms up. There are plenty of small cafés around Milano Centrale for a quick espresso or cornetto. Mercato Centrale is a great option if you're in a group and want lots of choices under one roof. Dinner spots can fill up, so booking early, around 19:00, is a good idea.

The location right by Milan Central Station is convenient, but outside you hear constant traffic and endless car beeping. My room was cosy and spacious, though some parts could use refurbishing. The toilet was generally clean, but the shower head was old and covered in limescale, and the dark tiles needed a good scrub to get rid of built-up grime. There was a thermostat, but I couldn't adjust the room temperature. It's still a comfortable stay in a strategic location, but I wouldn't call it a 4-star hotel. I've stayed in nicer 3-star places.

The service was quite formal and traditional, and neither especially helpful nor unhelpful. That was fine by me, though I felt more of a distance than at some smaller hotels with friendlier service. The breakfast was better than at the two other hotels I stayed in: the coffee seemed freshly made, and the hotdog, corns and spread were better quality. The room itself was good and clean, with better soap and toilet roll, plus a toothbrush. The aircon was the issue. After three days I still couldn't work out how it worked, though it might depend on the room. The location beside the train station is great, but it can be hard to find at first because trees cover the sign. Expect noise from vehicles, station visitors and morning washers. The bathroom drain was painfully slow, to the point that I thought it was clogged. I didn't report that or the aircon, and either problem could depend on the room, but for a hotel of this standing it reflects poorly.