Hotel Doria Grand Hotel

The breakfast had a nice range of cereals, pastries, meats, cheeses, and other things, and everyone on staff we met was very friendly. The towels were rather thin, except for the shower towel, and shampoo and body wash were provided. It was an interesting four-star hotel, but felt quite basic. The night before, our four-star hotel in Venice had a fully stocked minibar, free water, coffee, tea, and biscuits. If we come back to Milan, we’ll stay somewhere else.

My biggest issue was the service. Don't book directly through the hotel, they charge too much. After I booked on the official site, I noticed Priceline was €20 cheaper. Other hotels often match the price as a courtesy, even afterward, but this one wouldn't budge. For what it offers, it's overpriced and stingy for a four-star hotel. They don't even leave free water in the rooms, and I've had more generous stays at three-star places. The rooms were basic and clean enough, nothing special. It's also a long walk from the station, especially with heavy luggage.

Giovanni, who runs the bar, was the standout for us. Warm, witty, elegant, and a consummate professional, he made our stay unforgettable. The rest of the hotel staff were exceptional too. We loved the Doria Grand's old-world look, with an eccentric Art Deco-meets-1980s style and a touch of Wes Anderson whimsy. The lacquered room doors, marquetry, quilted walls, and marble bathrooms were gorgeous. Some of the bathroom fittings felt a little dated, but the overall effect was luxurious and carefully put together. The small imperfections felt like the quirks of a place with history and personality, and added to its charm rather than bothering us. We booked after reading about its large base of repeat guests, and understood the appeal as soon as we arrived. We'll absolutely return to the Doria Gran and can't wait.

Charles at the front desk was amazing and incredibly helpful. I can't thank him enough for being so kind, even letting us weigh our luggage. The room was good, though the fridge didn't really work. Breakfast was included, which was nice, but it's simple, in keeping with the price. Also, the bath in our room was a nice touch.