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.

Park Hyatt Milan is a luxury property located in the heart of Milan's Fashion District. It's within walking distance to the main shopping hubs, Piazza del Duomo, and public transportation. The 106 spacious rooms are elegant and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi; some include private terraces. There's a buffet breakfast each morning, though it's not included in all room rates. Dining options include the Michelin-star VUN Andrea Aprea, as well as another restaurant, bar, and lobby lounge. While there is no swimming pool, there is a full spa with a steam room and whirlpools. Business travelers will appreciate the fitness center, meeting rooms, and 24-hour business center. As a similarly priced alternative, travelers could also consider Armani Hotel Milano, a luxury property with an indoor swimming pool within the Fashion District. 

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.

Since the 1920s, the Principe Di Savoia has held an undisputed position as Milan's top luxury hotel. But global chains like the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt have moved in on this grande dame's territory, offering a similar level of swank in a more central area of the city. Despite the competition, the five-star Principe still attracts its share of aristocracy and corporate bigwigs, for good reason. The classic decor features sumptuous fabrics and sophisticated color schemes, the indoor pool is attractive and large, and the Principe Bar is one of the city's top spots for a business meeting or after-work cocktail.

Originally opened in 1932, the five-pearl Excelsior Hotel Gallia has an ornate, Belle Epoque exterior and an updated, glitzy interior redesigned by architect Marco Piva. Its location just down the block from the central Milan railroad station, makes it convenient for those relying on public transportation. Its 235 guest rooms are decorated with sleek, all-Italian materials, and include plush beds, minibars, coffeemakers, and bathrobes, plus bathrooms are lined with polished marble and glass. For travelers who want to work out or relax, there's a 24-hour gym, an indoor pool, and a spa. Diners have several glamorous options: a rooftop restaurant, cigar lounge, and wine cellar with chef's table. Business travelers can utilize the large amount of meeting space too. As an alternative, the Park Hyatt Milano has a similar classic-meets-modern look with a more central location, thought rates can be higher.

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.

With its 19th-century home in the heart of Milan’s historic center, the Grand Hotel et de Milan is an exercise in Old-World Italian elegance, an upscale counterpart to Milan's more fashion-forward hotels. The 95 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated with antique furniture and sumptuous fabrics -- with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and marble bathrooms -- though noise can be an issue and some beds are shoved-together twins, which is disappointing for a hotel with luxury aspirations. There's upscale dining at Don Carlos, as well as a more casual restaurant and bar, plus a compact fitness center with modern cardio equipment and free weights. Guests looking for a comparable upscale hotel with a more modern aesthetic should consider Hotel Straf near the Duomo, which has lower rates and industrial-chic interiors.

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.

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.

Four Seasons Hotel Milano is a luxurious and upscale five-pearl property in the heart of fashionable Milan. The hotel, built inside a 15th-century convent, is updated with every modern amenity and situated on private garden grounds offering all the quiet of the countryside; nonetheless, the venue is still within short walking distance of chic shops and art galleries. Classically decorated rooms have marble bathrooms and pretty views, but in some cases the furniture and decor looks a little bland. The gorgeous spa and attractive indoor pool with historical brick ceilings are property highlights.

Despite its location in an unfashionable neighborhood about 20 minutes from the city center, the starkly modern Milan Suite Hotel manages to earn positive reviews for its large, comfortably equipped rooms and bathrooms. Public amenities are few, but the hotel's proximity to the airport and nearby conference and exhibition facilities have made Milan Suite Hotel a reasonable choice for business travelers.

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.