Hotel review: Armani Hotel Milano combines austere Milanese minimalism with high-end glamour

We alight from our limo to be greeted by security guards who resemble models—clean-cut, shaven, and (naturally) dressed in Armani suits—and are promptly whisked up to the lobby on the seventh floor. Having just departed from our stay at vibrantly colourful heritage properties in Lake Como, the startling minimalism of Armani Hotel Milano is a mild shock to the system.

Much like its exteriors, it’s slick and sleek, accentuated by sharp geometric lines that extend from the solar blinds adorning the windows to the angular beige sofas and polished marble floors. Our sharply dressed lifestyle manager guides us to our room; the clacking of her heels on the glossy floors only serving to amplify the glamour of the hotel. She leads us to our room, navigating a dimly lit labyrinth that’s only further emphasised by the absence of traditional door handles.

The property features 95 guest rooms and suites, ranging from the Deluxe Room and Premier Room to top-tier suites that include en-suite cinemas, double-storey lofts with soaring ceilings, private gyms, unobstructed views of the Duomo, rooftop terraces, and multiple bedrooms.

Despite the hotel’s many rooms, each is quiet and soundproofed, ensuring a tranquil stay. Guests can easily control the lights, curtains, music, and temperature through an iPad, which also allows for internet browsing and access to a selection of films on television. The expansive bathrooms are designed for comfort, featuring large bathtubs, his-and-her sinks, and separate shower and washroom facilities—perfect for two. Luxurious amenities from the Armani Prive line enhance the experience, adding an extra touch of the house’s signature elegance to the stay.

Armani Hotel Milano features a tranquil spa that includes a large relaxation pool, sauna, steam rooms, and some of the best vantage points of the city, best experienced on the space’s white lounge chairs. Six treatment rooms are available, including a private suite for couples, offering services such as facial massages for dry and dehydrated skin, body scrubs and wraps for skin renewal, and tension-relieving massages that work wonders on a jet-lagged body.

The spa also offers unique rituals that combine facials with back massages, as well as a blend of traditional Thai massage influenced by Ayurvedic Indian medicine and yoga practices focused on corrective posture alignment to improve mobility. Additionally, the hotel houses a small salon for blowouts, manicures, and waxing—because you are after all, in a fashion hotel. 

It goes without saying that as a luxury (and fashion) property, dressing up is not just a suggestion; it’s de rigueur. Come in your finest attire.

In the restaurant where we enjoy both dinner and breakfast, shiny onyx chequered floors set the stage for a luxurious experience. Armani Ristorante features solar panel blinds that allow light to pour in, particularly casting a golden hue at sunset. This Michelin-starred establishment excels at highlighting contemporary Italian cuisine.

During our visit, we savoured a spring dinner menu by chef Francesco Mascheroni that included standout dishes such as veal blanquette with asparagus and morel mushrooms, Non Solo Insalata—a vibrant medley of spring vegetables with meat fat chips—and seafood tacos featuring tuna belly and scrambled eggs.

Breakfast, on the other hand, is a varied affair with a large spread of pastries and cold cuts presented alongside Asian staples, such as noodles and even sushi.

The Bamboo Bar, with its black flooring that recalls those of Armani’s runway shows, embodies the glamour expected from any Armani venue. With its stylish contemporary design, the Armani Bamboo Bar provides an ideal setting for an informal lunch, a sophisticated aperitivo, or a post-dinner drink.

Located on the 7th floor of the Armani Hotel Milano, this rooftop bar offers breathtaking views of the city skyline, making it a coveted destination for a night out in Milan. The drink menu features twists on classic cocktails alongside eight unique creations, caviar and oysters, as well as a selection of salads, starters, pizzas, and main courses. Overall, the combination of exquisite dining and stunning views at both Armani/Ristorante and the Bamboo Bar ensures a promising culinary experience for both visitors and locals to the city. 

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