Architecture & Design

The Hotel Principe di Savoia mixes beautiful old-world luxury with vibrant 21st-century flourishes Milan, a city whose name is synonymous with high fashion and style. It is only fitting that Italy’s most glamorous hotels stand majestic against the gorgeous Milanese skyline. Situated in Milan’s bustling Piazza della Repubblica, and acquired by the luxury Dorchester Collection in 2003, the Hotel Principe di Savoia has been a classy contradiction in terms—symbolizing gracious living for a clientele focused on business, offering the traditional hospitality of a grand resort in an unapologetically urban setting, hosting captains of industry, counts of nobility and cultural icons. Milan-based Hotel Principe di Savoia oopened its doors in 1927 and remains an impressively grand spectacle. The property’s semi-neoclassical facade overlooks lush greenery. The hotel, which still retains its original art deco stylings, underwent a $50 million refurbishment in 2009 by renowned architect Thierry Despont. The makeover has added a noticeable flair to the existing structure—mixing beautiful old-world luxury with vibrant 21st-century flourishes. As soon as you enter the property, one of the first things you encounter is the Il Salotto Lobby Lounge, among the popular celebrity-spotting hideouts that has played host to everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Queen Elizabeth II. The Piazza della Repubblica houses 257 rooms and 44 suites that sprawl across ten floors. However, the famed Presidential Suite, on the top floor, makes the loudest statement. The suite comprises three bedrooms and a gigantic lounge. Priced at around €17,000 (GBP 15,000) per night, the suite boasts its own “Pompeii-style spa” with a large swimming pool, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath. Occupants of the suite can expect a personal butler, complimentary canapés and Champagne, coupled with a private entrance and a balcony with views over the city. Accompanying the Presidential Suite on the top floor is Club 10—one of Milan’s best-equipped spas, which is open to all hotel guests. Another visual, and gastronomic, treat is the Milan hotel’s Acanto restaurant. Helmed by chef Alessandro Buffolino, the menu consists of old-school Italian-style dishes with an innovative twist. The Hotel Principe di Savoia, however, isn’t your regular high-end hotel. Its attention to detail and understated luxury lend this Milanese hotel a unique boutique-like charm.