First impressions are everything and the Carlyle Brera Hotel makes a fine one. The entrance to the hotel is lined with vines that hang over the hotel’s glass entrance. Once inside, the small lobby is filled with more greenery and gets lots of sunlight, and there's a sloped red ceiling and matching red couches and armchairs. A small black-and-white bar sits in the corner of the lobby. The breakfast area is on the upper level and also has walls of windows overlooking the street. All in all, the hotel's public areas are pleasantly modern, though with its limited features and underwhelming rooms the it's best used as a base from which to explore the city or attend to business -- Milan is Italy's financial capital, after all. The hotel is popular with all types of travelers, including families, though corporate guests make up a bulk of the clientele here. 

The hotel is in the Brera district, a bustling area in Milan’s historic center that’s good for strolling and full of beautiful architecture, clothing and antique shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The Brera neighborhood is also home to art museums, including the Pinacoteca di Brera, which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Porta Garibaldi train station is a 12-minute walk from the hotel as well. Luxury shopping is a big deal in Milan, and the so-called Quadrilatero d'Oro -- home to plenty of high-end retailers -- is a 15-minute walk east from the hotel. The Moscova Metro station is also just a minute's walk from the hotel, making it easy to get around the city. For those who like to stroll, the Duomo is a 20-minute walk away, though it can be reached in 15 minutes by metro. Malpensa Airport is a 50-minute trip by car or via the Malpensa Express train.   

The hotel’s 97 rooms come in single, double, and triple configurations; larger Superior Rooms and Junior Suites are also available. Despite differences in size and layout, the look is identical across the board. The rooms have a classic hotel style, with wood or tile floors, oak wood paneling, and burgundy bedding. The bland style and lack of artwork gives the rooms a dull look that appears a bit dated. Amenities include small flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, electric kettles, safes, free Wi-Fi, and pillow menus. Bathrooms are more modern, with gray and cream-colored tile, curved vanities with good storage space and small walk-in showers. Small pets are allowed. Some guests have reported noise issues from neighboring rooms or the street, depending on the location of the room.

There's not too much when it comes to features here, but the hotel does a few things well. The buffet breakfast is served on the mezzanine level with a nice view of the street. Items include pastries, breads, cold cuts and cereals, as well as espresso and cappuccino -- it's well-liked by most guests. The small lobby bar provides cocktails and can be rented for business events. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and private indoor parking is available for an additional fee, as are laundry services.