Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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The narrow Via Santa Marta is a slice of old Milan, cobblestoned
and lined with charming old buildings, one of which houses the
Hotel Santa
Marta
(Via Santa Marta, 4;
%
02-804567; www.hotel-santamarta.it; Metro:
Cordusio or Duomo).
Recent modernizations have preserved the old-fashioned
ambience while adding such modern comforts as air-conditioning, but rates for a
double have stayed around
€
120 to
€
130 (dropping to
€
80 on weekends; spik-
ing to
5
190 during trade fairs). It's also across the street from one of the city's
most atmospheric restaurants (La Milanese; see below), and a short walk from the
Duomo and other sights. The tile-floored guest rooms are comfortable and deco-
rated with a matter-of-fact fashion sense; some are cramped and others are quite
large, and there's a renovation scheduled for August 2006. If they're full, they'll
send you to their sister hotel, the Rovello (see below).
The Magnificent Midrange Hotels of Via Rovello
Halfway between the Duomo and the Castello, just above Piazza Cordusio, a
quiet side-street angles off the wide, cafe-and-shop-lined artery of Via Dante. It's
called Via Rovello, and it's home to a trio of wonderful midpriced hotels that put
you in the heart of the action—no more than a 10-minute stroll from the castle,
Duomo, Brera museum, and La Scala opera house—yet tucked away from the
busy streets.
€
(Via Rovello, 18;
%
02-86464654;
www.hotel-rovello.it; Metro: Cordusio)
was also completely renovated in 1999
with striking results. The unusually large guest rooms occupy the first and second
floors of a centuries-old building and incorporate many of the original architec-
tural details, including exposed timbers and wood-beamed ceilings. Handsome
contemporary Italian furnishings are set off by gleaming hardwood floors, the tall
casement windows are covered with attractive fabrics, and walls are painted in
soothing green and gold tones. The orthopedic mattresses are covered with thick
quilts for a homey feel. Many of the rooms have dressing areas in addition to the
large new bathrooms. A breakfast of rolls and coffee is served in a sunny room off
the lobby.
5
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The 10-room
Hotel Rovello
(Via Rovello, 3;
%
02-
72020166; www.hotellondonmilano.com; Metro: Cordusio)
sticks to its old-fashioned
ways—and lower prices: Doubles without bathroom go for
€
100 to
€
130, with
bathroom for
5
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€€€€
Unlike its neighbors, the
London Hotel
150. The big fireplace and cozy green velvet furniture in
the lobby say a lot about the comfort level and friendly atmosphere that bring
many guests back time after time. Just beyond the lobby, there's a bar where bev-
erages are available almost around the clock; guests can purchase cappuccino or a
continental breakfast in the morning. Upstairs, the rooms look as if they haven't
been redecorated in a number of decades, but they're roomy and bright, and the
heavy old furnishings lend a charm very much in keeping with the ambience of
the hotel. Rooms on the first floor tend to be the largest, and they get smaller as
you go up.
€
120 to
€
5
(Via Rovello, 10;
%
02-72003915; www.giuliocesarehotel.it; Metro: Cordusio)
thoroughly up-to-
date, with a grandiose marble lobby and a handsome lounge and bar area with
A recent renovation has brought
Hotel Giulio Cesare
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