Milan has it all: world-renowned fashion, an incomparable design industry, and a seriously good aperitivo scene. And with iconic events like Salone del Mobile and its legendary fashion week drawing global crowds, the northern Italian city also knows a thing or two about hosting discerning guests. Ahead of Salone del Mobile 2025, we’ve handpicked some stand-out addresses for those checking-in with a keen eye for style. Here’s our pick of the best design hotels in Milan right now.
Credit: Pion Studio
P.za Ventiquattro Maggio 8, 20123; aethos.com
Aethos Milan
Looking for Milan’s kitten-heeled party crowd? Head here. This flamboyant crashpad (and youthful members’ club) from upcoming hotel brand Aethos (which is opening stays aimed at aesthetes across Europe) is just a short stroll from Milan’s buzzy Navigli district, and delivers bucketfuls of character. The self-titled “vibey hideaway” is a visual dream: a celebration of vintage Italian style conveyed via buttery soft leather sofas, curving chrome side tables and shell-shaped velvet armchairs. All 32 suites are individually accessorised with mahogany drinks cabinets, emerald-hued travelling trunks, sepia-tinted oil paintings and monochromatic photographs of old-school leisure pursuits. Downstairs, the art deco-leaning restaurant ZAÏA plates up generous sharing dishes that taste as good as they look. The Doping bar, meanwhile, promises sultry surrounds and “not your usual cocktails” – inspired by planetary bodies.P.za Ventiquattro Maggio 8, 20123; aethos.com
Credit: Steve Herud
Via Lentasio 3, 20122; maxbrownhotels.com
Max Brown Hotel Missori
This fun, arty hotel recently got a restyling, courtesy of designer Saar Zafir and the Sircle Collection team. The result? A Seventies-inspired aesthetic flowing from its colourful common areas through to its 64 rooms. Expect patterned carpets, all shades of brown and orange, ample use of woodwork and notable design names when it comes to in-room equipment: everything from Crosley turntables to Smeg kettles.Via Lentasio 3, 20122; maxbrownhotels.com
STRAF
This hotel by architect Vincenzo de Cotiis is pure Milan – bold, creative, and rooted in the city’s design and industrial history. Visiting is like stepping into an art project, but with seriously comfortable vibes. The 64 rooms and suites, set inside an 18th-century building, feature concrete walls, dramatic art installations, and funky touches like electric massage chairs beneath “therapy lights”. Upstairs, the vibe is raw and edgy, while downstairs, you’ll find a hidden wellness oasis with a heated pool, sauna and hammam – perfect for unwinding after a day in the city. And don’t forget STRAFbar, a minimalist hotspot where Milan’s legendary aperitivo scene comes to life.Via San Raffaele 3, 20121; straf.it
Senato Hotel Milano
How to sum up this family-run bolthole located on the edge of the city’s fashion district? A monochromatic marvel. Black and white feature heavily across the sophisticated boutique stay, which is run by the Ranza family (who once lived within the five-storey building) and was designed in collaboration with local architect Alessandro Bianchi. The 43, all-white rooms and suites are dressed in MIlanese-made furnishings. Peckish? Slip into a bijou booth in the downstairs café to enjoy sandwiches, cold cuts, caprese salad and more – all while watching retro MIlanese movies projected onto the wall.
Room Mate Giulia Hotel
Step into Room Mate Giulia – just a two-minute walk from the Duomo – where colour pops and creativity runs wild. This isn’t your average hotel – it’s a playground for design lovers. All 85 rooms were dreamed up by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola, mixing bold pinks, blues and greens with Milan’s classic vibe. Bright colours meet warm terracotta, and sharp geometric patterns keep it edgy. The furniture? Think Kartell armchairs, Moroso seating and Flos lights – bold pieces that make an impact without trying too hard. It’s got that perfect balance of fresh, fun and effortlessly cool – and all at a price that won’t make you cringe.Via Giulia 131, 20123; room-matehotels.com
Hotel VIU Milan
Hotel VIU Milan hits you with bold design from the get-go. Bookended by two towering green walls, the glass facade makes a statement, but the real magic happens at the top. Take the elevator up to Milan’s first-ever rooftop pool, complete with a pool bar, offering jaw-dropping views of the city. Located in the heart of Milan, this urban retreat is home to 124 rooms curated by Molteni&C. Expect warm earthy tones with low-silhouetted furnishings, oak accents and coal-black basalt. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to pour in, while the rooftop's lush greenery – with fragrant jasmine perfuming the air – creates a serene vibe for evening swims. Downstairs, Morelli restaurant serves up sophisticated dishes like silky crab broth spaghetti, and red snapper with white butter dashi in a moody dining space. And when it’s time for aperitivo? You’ll want to be on that rooftop.Via Cagliero 14, 20158; hotelviumilan.com
Vico Milano
Vico Milano’s got history – and it’s got style. Housed in a former Legnano racing bike factory and later the studio of Baccheschi Berti fashion brand, this place has seen some serious craftsmanship. Now, it’s turned that pedigree into some serious Milan swagger. The 19-room guesthouse is sharp and sleek, with just enough design touches to make you feel its heritage. The lobby, with its green tiles and urban edge, sets the mood, while a glass-and-concrete staircase leads you up to rooms hidden behind arched wooden doors. Inside those, you’ll find crisp white walls, blonde-wood four-poster beds and jewel-coloured tiling in bathrooms that come equipped with Aesop toiletries and Dyson blow dryers. It’s all in the details. Need a pick-me-up? The second floor has a speakeasy-style bar that serves a killer negroni. And if you’re in need of a reset, don’t miss the small gym – perfect for getting back on track after one too many charcuterie boards and cocktails the night before.Corso Genova 11, 20123; vicomilano.com
