Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Milano

Milan

Milan, in the north of the Italian peninsula, on the fertile plain of Po, is the economic capital of the country. In addition however, to being the seat of the Italian stock exchange and a number of multinational companies, Milan possesses a rich cultural heritage. The Duomo cathedral, the symbol of the city, is an architectural masterpiece. Built over a period of three centuries, it is a combination of Gothic, neoclassical and neo-gothic styles. Commonly known as the Duomo (Dome), its spire rises up to a gilded copper “Madonnina” culminating at 108 meters. Not far from the Duomo, there’s the celebrated La Scala theatre where the greatest Italian operas were first performed and where the splendor of its interior is hidden by rather ordinary façade. Built in 1776, at the request of Empress Maria-Teresa of Austria to replace the ducal theatre which had been destroyed in a fire, it is named after the Duke of Milan’s wife, Regina della Scala.

As a kind of hyphen between the Piazza del Duomo and La Scala, the modern Galleria Vittori Emmanuele II is a sumptuous covered passage in which one finds chic cafes, luxury boutiques and prestigious restaurants. Milan of course, over the past few years, imposed itself as one of the world’s greatest high fashion capitals, and like Paris, London and New York, numerous shows take place here every year, featuring the greatest names in Italian fashion design. On the outskirts of the old city, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci and Armani have all set up shop in the quarter known as the Quadrilatero d’Oro, consisting of a handful of streets which gleam with luxurious jewelry, ready to wear apparel, fancy leather goods and high fashion creations.

A veritable “jewel” of a hotel

The Bulgari Hotel Milan is located in the chic Brera quarter, a few steps from La Scala and the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele. It consists of three buildings, the oldest dating back to 1700. Facing an immense private garden, the hotel was decorated by designer Antonio Citterio and inspired by the style of the Italian jeweler, Bulgari, who was the originator of the project. Minimalism and precious materials are the order of the day, including black marble from Zimbabwe and teak from Myanamar (Burma) in the common areas, hard teak and white oak in the rooms and the suites, and Vicenza stone and Turkish Afyon in the spa. All the furniture and decorations were designed by the architect.

The entrance into the hotel is through a long private corridor which opens onto a hall of black marble and immaculate sofas. The immense and brightly lit rooms and suites are equipped with the latest in technology, and the bathrooms are covered in travertine, a calcareous cream-colored rock.

But the true jewel of this goldsmith’s design hotel is the spa. Decorated in gold mosaic, the swimming pool scintillates when the sun enters through the glass façade. The glass hamman tinted in emerald invokes Bulgari’s preferred stone.

Separated from the impressive oval shaped bar, the restaurant offers an innovative version of Italian cuisine. In the summer, guests can have dinner in the immense adjacent garden, and in the winter, they can take refuge in the smoking room and enjoy a cigar or a glass of cognac…or both!

In the spacious salon lounge with its huge fireplace of black Zimbabwe granite, visitors can help themselves to some delicious marshmallow.