Hotel Principe di Savoia: a landmark of luxury by Milan’s central station
Classic Italian glamour oozes from this historic Dorchester Collection property
The first thing I see as I walk into the lobby of Hotel Principe di Savoia is a framed photograph of the Queen, who died one week earlier. It’s an unexpected touch and one that, combined with several hours of travelling and an empty stomach, makes me feel strangely emotional.
But it’s no great surprise that the hotel has chosen to pay tribute to the late monarch in such a prominent way. Edward VIII, Queen Elizabeth’s uncle, reportedly stayed there and the property is part of the historic Dorchester Collection which owns The Dorchester – the fancy London hotel where the Queen stayed the day before she announced her engagement to Prince Philip in 1947 (and which she allegedly blocked Kim Kardashian from visiting in 2012).
Anyway, back to Hotel Principe di Savoia – a hotel fit for a queen, or certainly a close relative of one. Designed in a striking neoclassical style in 1896 by Milanese architect Cesare Tenca, the distinctive building has become an iconic landmark in the Italian fashion capital over the past century. Located minutes away from Milan’s main train station, The Principe was originally envisaged to suit business people but over time has developed a reputation as one of Milan’s finest hotels – and subsequently attracted everyone from Duomo enthusiasts to David Rockefeller.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The rooms
Classic Italian glamour is epitomised by the interiors of The Principe, with rich fabrics, antique furniture and silk curtains so heavy with material that opening the window proves a minor challenge. The dazzling clash of colours, fabrics and patterns should be headache-inducing but isn’t; instead, rooms feel luxurious and full of personality.
I’m staying in the Ambassador Suite, which features a large adjacent living room and a marble bathroom, plus one of the comfiest beds I’ve slept in for a while. The curtains are so thick that they work as effectively as black-out blinds, only enhancing my good night’s sleep.
Eating and drinking
Breakfast is a comprehensive buffet at the Acanto Restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. I also order from the menu, but this is a mistake – there’s more than enough in the buffet to satisfy: pastries, fruit, cooked meat, cheese, salad, yoghurts and even an entire honeycomb to extract my toast topping from, plus a decent selection of gluten-free options.
Acanto, which puts a twist on classic Italian dishes, is also worth a visit for lunch or dinner. It offers a tasting menu but I opt for a la carte and come to regret it as each dish is so delicious I wish I could have sampled more. The creamy egg starter sounds strange but is a true gastronomic treat; served with stracciatella mousse and crunchy “tubers” (a selection of purple and yellow potatoes, plus celeriac) in what resembles a giant speckled egg, this is a savoury showstopper worthy of The Great British Bake Off. When asked where the otherworldly vessel originates from, my lovely waiter – eyes twinkling – informs me that they have “a raptor in the kitchen”.
Another highlight is the extremely al dente spaghettone (slightly thicker and squarer spaghetti) served in a decadent sauce of octopus, garlic, olive oil and chilli. This dish is so tasty that the menu carries its own warning: “Attention! It can be addictive”. My waiter tells me that some visitors return to Acanto again and again for this dish alone. After tasting it, I can understand why.
Things to do
For a truly lavish experience, indulge in a spa treatment at The Principe’s tenth-floor fitness and beauty centre, Club 10. This wellbeing zone features a 10.5m indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym and rooftop terrace, complete with deckchairs, which are perfect for warm, sunny days.
The hotel also offers several bucket-list travel experiences exclusively for hotel guests, including a helicopter ride over the Italian Alps to the picturesque region of Valtellina, a one-day driving trip in a Ferrari California, Ferrari F430 F1 or a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, or an intimate tour of Franciacorta’s world-famous Ca’ del Bosco winery.
Verdict
My stay at The Principe lasts just one night – which definitely doesn’t feel like enough time to explore everything the hotel has to offer, while also soaking up the historic sites of Italy’s fashion capital.
That said, even on my whistle-stop visit I am quickly able to understand how Hotel Principe di Savoia has earned its esteemed reputation – and why it is the Milan spot for regular guests and royalty alike.
Rooms at Hotel Principe di Savoia start from €300 in low season and €500 in high season
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kate Samuelson is the newsletter editor, global. She is also a regular guest on award-winning podcast The Week Unwrapped, where she often brings stories with a women’s rights angle. Kate’s career as a journalist began on the MailOnline graduate training scheme, which involved stints as a reporter at the South West News Service’s office in Cambridge and the Liverpool Echo. She moved from MailOnline to Time magazine’s satellite office in London, where she covered current affairs and culture for both the print mag and website. Before joining The Week, Kate worked as the senior stories and content gathering specialist at the global women’s charity ActionAid UK, where she led the planning and delivery of all content gathering trips, from Bangladesh to Brazil. She is passionate about women’s rights and using her skills as a journalist to highlight underrepresented communities.
Alongside her staff roles, Kate has written for various magazines and newspapers including Stylist, Metro.co.uk, The Guardian and the i news site. She is also the founder and editor of Cheapskate London, an award-winning weekly newsletter that curates the best free events with the aim of making the capital more accessible.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published
-
Trentino: Italy's charming and lesser-known northern region
The Week Recommends This cultural meeting point has a distinctive character and stunning lake-and-mountain landscapes
By Vicki Power Published
-
6 sunshine-y hotels to visit before the summer is over
The Week Recommends Hit the beach, play golf and swim outside while you can
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Art by the sea: exhibitions in Venice
The Blend Jean Cocteau's work continues to loom large in the imagination
By Harriet Quick Published
-
8 new cookbooks ready to make your summer hum
The Week Recommends The most special of Vietnamese food, Italian American baking for all and a primer on turning beloved cocktails into freezer versions of themselves
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Isles of Scilly: discover the abundant joys of island life
The Week Recommends Ramble, sail and feast your way around Scilly to experience a region like no other
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Raffles London at The OWO review: a quintessentially British stay
The Week Recommends This heritage building has been given a twist as a luxury hotel in the nation's capital
By Leaf Arbuthnot, The Week UK Published
-
Kick off your summer at these 6 terrific hotels
The Week Recommends Lake Como, Tulum and Nantucket await
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published