This intimate, high-end boutique hotel is beautifully designed and has an excellent Milan location, just one block from the world famous Duomo and luxury shops that make the city a magnet for the rich. The property attracts tourists and business travelers alike who appreciate the art that predominates its public spaces. Rooms don't come cheap, but Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic drinks, and a breakfast buffet are included with the price. If a swimming pool, spa, or on-site restaurant are important amenities, it may be worth comparing rates with the nearby Four Seasons Hotel Milano or Bulgari Milano.

The upscale Room Mate Giulia attracts travelers with an eye for design with its hip and stylish retro-modern interiors. Location is prime, being situated around the corner from the Duomo, next to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and surrounded by dining options. The 85 stylish guest rooms are stocked with mod cons like flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea/coffee facilities, and free Wi-Fi (some add Nespresso machines), and have trendy bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and fun toiletry sets. Features are limited to a small spa area with a sauna and steam room, a small fitness room with a handful of TechnoGym machines, and an inviting breakfast room that serves a buffet until noon (for a fee). For a free breakfast with Prosecco and a full restaurant, check out Nhow Milano, though its location is not as central.

The three-pearl LaFavia Four Rooms is a bed-and-breakfast-style boutique property housed in a historic renovated private residence, located just outside central Milan. Decor is elegant and on-trend, and rooms have tons of panache, with patterned wallpaper, chic furniture, and vintage accents. All have air-conditioning, armchairs, console desks, and free Wi-Fi, but no TVs. Bathrooms are on the small side but feature attractive shower tiling and heated towel racks. The two larger rooms boast private terraces and kitchenettes. Amenities are limited but guests rave about the tranquil, lush roof garden and veranda where breakfast is served, although travelers with mobility issues should note there's no elevator to the second floor. Porta Garibaldi Bed and Breakfast offers a good alternative with larger, apartment-style rooms, although it isn't quite as charming. 

The 77-room Chateau Monfort is a high-end five pearl property located just outside Milan's center. Elegant, whimsical rooms and public spaces are designed with a fairytale theme -- think blue ombre paint, shiny curtains, and a heavy hand with floral wall stencils. Bathrooms are large and airy with white fixtures and deep soaking tubs. A wine bar, lobby bar, and gourmet restaurant are convenient, and the on-site spa is a definite perk with a grotto-style swimming pool. If staying closer to the center of Milan is important, try comparing rates at UNA Maison Milano.

For a romantic stay in Milan, the three-pearl, 33-room Gran Duca di York is a solid bet. This boutique hotel is full of Old World charm and is only a five-minute walk from the famous Duomo. A collection of fresco artwork hangs in the lobby, giving it a bit of local character, and the pleasant, modern rooms all come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. A valet overnight parking service is available, though it's expensive. Guests are entitled to a free breakfast with a good selection of hot and cold options, but features are otherwise slim. Traveler's seeking city views from a rooftop terrace as well as a restaurant might consider the nearby Santa Marta Suites instead, though it's pricier.

The Yard Suite and Dependance is a 24-room intimate boutique uniquely designed with a 30s deco theme. Conveniently located next to a metro station (the center of Milan is 20 minutes away), this artistic hotel has a fascinating collection of objects on display -- chairs at check-in are vintage barber chairs. There is an inviting bar on-site and the stylish lobby has a screen for movie nights. Free Wi-Fi and bike rentals are nice extras, but there's a fee for breakfast and the design may appeal more to younger travelers.

Sleek, understated luxury is the concept behind the five-pearl Armani Hotel Milano. Located across from one of the world's premiere shopping areas, this 95-room hotel delivers a high-end, boutique experience, providing everything from an indoor pool with city views to a slick restaurant, bar, spa, and fitness center. Guests who have shopped the fashion designer's clothing and home furnishings stores will feel like the hotel is an extension of the Giorgio Armani brand, one that uses expensive materials with a restrained hand. Rooms are spacious and decorated in cool gray hues; contemporary bathrooms have soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. For another luxury Milan property that exemplifies a fashion brand, visitors could try the Bulgari Milano, whose restaurant overlooks the courtyard of a former monastery.

The UNA Maison Milano is a small, upscale hotel with sophisticated, modern rooms and a location right in the heart of Milan's city center. But there are few facilities or business services. For a fee, breakfast is brought to guest rooms in the morning, as there is no on-site restaurant. A portable Technogym can be set up in any guest room, although space can be tight. Free candy and a small bar enhance the lobby. It may be worth comparing rates at the nearby Spadari al Duomo, for a breakfast buffet and free Wi-Fi.

The Residence Aramis Downtown is a mid-range boutique condo property with 27 units. While it lacks standard hotel features (there's no pool, restaurant, or bar), its apartment-style set up equals privacy and a home-like atmosphere within one of Italy's biggest cities. Situated in the bustling district of Navigli, the Aramis is located in an area with some of Milan's best nightlife and a healthy selection of restaurants and shops to boot. The colorful apartments come equipped with kitchenettes, making them a great self-catering option for tourists or business travelers on longer stays. Some apartments can sleep up to 10 people, ideal for large families and groups. If you must have an on-site restaurant, spa, and fitness center check rates at BEST WESTERN Hotel Galles -- though you'll lose the kitchen amenities and Navigli neighborhood.

Still looking fresh from its 2015 opening, the luxury ME Milan - Il Duca offers design-conscious digs close to some of Milan's most fashionable neighborhoods. A main draw is the 10th-story rooftop bar, a city hotspot with skyline views, tapas, and drinks. The hotel also has a lobby bar and a trendy steakhouse and lounge where a DJ plays nightly. Rooms and Suites are chic, modern, and spacious with luxe details and amenities like Illy coffeemakers, minibars, and marble bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers. Elite services fit the five-pearl standard: valet parking, concierge service, and even the brand's trademark "Aura Mangers." If there is a downfall here, it's a lack of wellness facilities, though a small gym and in-room spa treatments are available. Those looking for more could consider the Hotel Principe Di Savoia, which has an indoor pool.

This five-pearl perfume-factory-turned-hotel is one of the top boutique hotels in Milan. It's far from the city center, but its location in a trendy design district seems appropriate for its fashionable vibe. The 39 chic rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electronic wall panels that control the temperature. On-site features are what’s expected of a luxury boutique hotel: a stylish Italian restaurant and bar, a rooftop and garden terrace, and a modern (though small) gym and spa with massages available. But the open-air lobby might be too cold in the winters for some. Travelers may want to compare rates with the Boscolo Milano, which has an indoor pool, a larger spa, and bolder, more colorful interior design.

For a pleasant stay in a family-run value hotel, Il Girasole is hard to beat. It's situated away from the city center, so sightseers will have to rely on public transportation to get to big attractions like the Duomo (it's a 20-minute metro ride away). The attentive, friendly owners create a convincingly homey environment, which is reflected in the colorful decor and extras like a welcome glass of Prosecco. All 15 individually decorated rooms are basic and clean, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms. Private parking is available, there's a pool table, and breakfast is provided (for a fee), but other features are few. For something more central, the historic Gran Duca di York might work, though it has a bit less charm and is pricier.

The upper-middle-range Santa Marta Suites has an outstanding location -- the Duomo di Milano is visible from the rooftop terrace and all of Milan’s major historic attractions are within walking distance. Its 10 rooms are elegant, with modern conveniences including flat-screen TVs, and stocked minibars, though pods for the Nespresso coffeemakers cost extra, and not all rooms have lovely views or terraces. There's a restaurant on-site with vegan and gluten-free options and breakfast is available for a fee, but amenities are otherwise limited at this petite hotel. Travelers may want to check rates at the nearby De La Ville Hotel, which has far more amenities --such as a pool, spa, free breakfast, and fitness center -- for a similar price. 

The super luxurious Bulgari Milano is one of the best places to see and be seen in the fashion scene of Milan, with a price tag to match. An 18th-century renovated mansion on 4,000 square meters of private gardens, the 58-room property is within walking distance of shopping venues like Prada and Gucci yet still manages to feel secluded. Bulgari Milano is loaded with every conceivable amenity, from a world renowned spa to a sleek bar and gourmet restaurant. There are some complaints that rooms are too small for the price and that the color scheme is gloomy.

Even hotels make style statements in Italy's fashion capital, as the upper-middle-range Square Milano Duomo demonstrates. In the heart of Milan and walkable to many major attractions, the historic building’s completely renovated interiors place it firmly in the 21st century. Brightly-lit common areas are outfitted with contemporary furnishings, and the equally chic 117 rooms are well-appointed with minibars and Nespresso machines. Amenities here are few but high-quality, including the breakfast buffet included with room rates and the free beverages on offer all day at the lobby. The 10th-floor restaurant provides sweeping views of Milan. Guests looking for a more Old World aesthetic may prefer the Brera district’s historic Grand Hotel et de Milan, though it’s pricier.