MO.OM Hotel

I left after two nights even though I’d booked three. I couldn’t sleep because of the noise, and the dark, depressing room got me down during the day. I was speaking at the conference, and the hotel didn’t help me get the rest I needed. This review is for international visitors attending events at Malpensa Fiere. I chose the hotel because it looked close to the venue in the photos and reviews, but it was the worst of the roughly 15 hotels I’ve stayed in this year. To give credit where it’s due, the staff were friendly, the shower was hot and good, the bed was comfortable, and the air conditioning worked while I was in the room. The room seemed clean enough, though I don’t usually check under the bed. Mine was in a separate building across the parking lot rather than the main hotel, which made me feel unwelcome. It was spacious, but the space was wasted on two uncomfortable armchairs, a hanger, a bed, desk, and chair. There were only four lamps, and the floor lamp barely lit anything. A minibar with a safe on top sat in the corner. The room wasn’t cozy at all, and the darkness made it feel worse. The minibar made a loud metallic bang every hour or so, not an ordinary contraction sound, and kept waking me. There was no complimentary water either. I reported the noise, and reception said they’d leave a note for the technician, but nothing was done. I later found a Google review mentioning the same noise from two years earlier. I was in room 012. When I asked whether all the rooms were that dark and whether I could switch because of the noise, they said they were fully booked. I ended up spending much of my time in the bright enough lobby, where I could work. The gym was decent, but although I’d walked in, I was told a reservation was required. There were no towels or water there. Walking to the convention center isn’t safe, even though it’s possible: there are no sidewalks, and for parts of the route you’re on the freeways with drivers going like lunatics. I walked it the first day, then took taxis for about 20 euros each way. There’s almost nothing around the hotel. The only nearby option I found was a McDonalds 300 meters away, reached by walking in the street. You feel isolated there. I paid for breakfast on the first day and regretted it. There wasn’t much variety, the scrambled eggs were overcooked and soaked in oil, and the coffee came from machines. Even hotels in London served better breakfasts. I skipped dinner at the restaurant because I worried the food would be just as bad. From the reviews, the hotel seems better suited to families and people with cars. It didn’t work for me as a business traveler without a car. I’d rather stay in the center of Busto Arsizio and take a taxi, or stay in Milano and take the train each day. I hope this helps someone deciding where to stay for Malpense Fiere.

The big drawback is getting around. There’s little to see nearby, and you really need a car because there are no sidewalks around the hotel or on nearby streets. There are a few restaurants close by, though. The hotel itself is elegant and well kept, with very large rooms and a spotless, thoughtfully designed bathroom. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful.

The breakfast choices were limited, and they wouldn’t refund the breakfast charge. If you want sunny-side-up eggs, they make you pay extra on top of the breakfast fee. That’s the stupidest policy I’ve ever seen at what I thought was a four-star hotel. So either pay extra for something any decent hotel would include, or get lost.

The breakfast was generous, tasty, and had lots of variety, and the staff were attentive and always willing to help. They even let me borrow an umbrella when it rained, which was a thoughtful touch. The atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and everything was spotless. My room was huge, and I liked that it was possible to park right beside it, even though I didn’t have a car. A wonderful experience!