Helios Hotel Monza

The staff were friendly, the beds were comfortable, and breakfast was delicious with lots of sweet and savoury choices. There was no duvet, though, just a thin sheet. We’d booked four-star hotels through Hotels.com before and were looking forward to a pleasant stay at Helios Hotel. Its convenient location, about an hour from Milan by public transport, was one reason we chose it. The lobby looked nice and luxurious, and the receptionist welcomed us warmly. The room was spacious and clean, but the furnishings felt old and neglected. The bathroom had seen better days, with some fittings replaced by the cheapest options available. The sink tap was old and rusty, more like something in a public toilet than a four-star hotel. The shower tap had no knob and was tricky to use. We had to flush several times to get the toilet water to stop running, and some electrical sockets were loose or didn’t work. One window blind was broken, so the sun came in very early. As someone else had said, it felt like at least one star too many.

We got in late, and reception was very friendly. The parking was all taken because of a wedding event. The room was very warm with the A/C turned off, but it cooled down after a while. I had to get up in the middle of the night to switch the A/C off because it was freezing even set to 20 degrees. There were no blankets, just thin sheets.

The reception gentleman was so helpful when I needed to change my phones in the lobby. There was water in my charging port, and he even brought me a hairdryer to dry it. I had a nice cup of tea while I waited, too. I’d stay here again next time I’m in Monza.

Twice a year, we make our way back to the Helios hotel, even though we live across the USA, Germany, and Italy. We’ve been staying here for more than seven years, and the standards have stayed consistent. The food is amazing, and the staff are professional, helpful, and always willing to go beyond what’s needed. The new rooftop restaurant, Terrazze Mia, is gorgeous, with views across Monza and even a glimpse of Milan in the distance. We held a private dinner for 30 there, and the food, drinks, and whole event were handled perfectly. Jean Luca, Carlo, and the rest of the team make every stay special. I can’t imagine coming to Monza without staying at my favorite hotel. Thank you, especially for this experience.