Maison Borella

Charming streets and little shops are all an easy walk away, and the location is truly beautiful. We had such an enjoyable stay at this lovely hotel. What a great find. We’ll be back and would recommend staying here to everyone.

The hotel itself is charming and in a great spot, but the room WiFi was so slow it was basically unusable, under 1 Mbps. It did work in the lobby. That caused real problems for us, since internet this slow is unusual in hotels these days. It could suit a vacation where you want to disconnect, but if you need to make video calls or otherwise rely on internet while in Milan, I’d book somewhere else.

The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, and the location is excellent, right on the canal in lively Navigli with lots of bars and restaurants nearby. The nearest metro is only about a five-minute walk away. The rooms, though, felt worn. We had two, and both showed ingrained dirt, especially on doors and other surfaces. I also found the breakfast disappointing. It was mostly sweet pastries, croissants, and toast, with very few toppings and hardly any options like bacon. The coffee was weak and came from a thermos, while cappuccino cost extra. As someone traveling from the Nordics, I expected more. It’s listed as four stars, but I’d say it’s closer to three. Beyond a lounge and restaurant, there weren’t other facilities, and the rooms didn’t have coffee or tea.

The back patio was a peaceful break from the busy streets, and the common spaces are nicely styled. It’s a fun, bohemian hotel right on the canal, with plenty of restaurants only steps away. Breakfast was included and very nice. Our room was fine, but the bathroom door only shut if you lifted it, and the air conditioning had been turned off for the season, so it was hot. There were no window screens, which is unfortunate in mosquito-prone Milan. If room temperature matters to you, ask about the AC before booking.