Hotel Gran Duca di York, Milan

• It's a perfect location for travelers seeking a central, walkable address: just a three-minute walk from the Duomo but down a quiet side street away from the crowds.
• The small palazzo dates back to the 18th century, with renovated interiors that retain original features like French windows and Juliet balconies.
• Guest rooms are simple and relatively spacious, with wood floors, tasteful decor, and complimentary minibars.
• Breakfast is included in the rate and served in a pretty, pastel-hued dining room. 

• The elevator in this historic building holds just two people and a limited amount of luggage.
• Rooms don't offer much in the way of views, facing either the narrow streets of the Centro Storico or the internal courtyard.

Authenticity

Look up when you near this 18th-century palazzo's butter-yellow facade to spy a quirky porcelain cat watching from the second-story loggia. It's one of the many details that give this modest 18th-century palazzo (bought and renovated in 2003 by the local Marzot family's small True Stay hotel group) a little more warmth and character than your standard midrange stay. More personal touches are on display in the lobby, where you'll find the Marzot matriarch's Majolica pottery collection alongside a lovingly curated selection of Italian art. 

Location

The hotel sits on a surprisingly quiet side street in the midst of the Centro Storico, just around the corner from the magnificent libraries and art collections of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. It's an ideal base for exploring Milan's central landmarks on foot. The Piazza della Duomo lies just 3 minutes east, while the fashion boutiques of Quadrilatero della Moda and the bars and nightlife of Navigli are both within a 20-minute stroll. Transport links are likewise excellent: Cordusio and Duomo metro stations are both within a couple of blocks (the latter connecting with Milan Centrale train station in just 6 minutes).

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of the 33 air-conditioned rooms is decorated in a simple, tasteful fashion, with a mix of modern and antique-style furnishings, warm wood floors, and soft yellow walls. The effect is somewhat basic, though larger Superior rooms add a little more character alongside the square footage, with original French windows and options for tiny Juliet balconies or private terraces. Gray-tiled bathrooms feel modern and clean, if a bit snug, with walk-in showers, toiletries, and robes. All rooms include a kettle, tea-making facilities, and complimentary minibars that are replenished daily. 

Amenities

There's not much in the way of amenities beyond the included breakfast, which is served in an elegant room wrapped in pastel floral murals and mint-green banquettes. It's a standard but nicely presented buffet, with a selection of cold and cooked options (and plenty of local pastries and sweets). Guests will also find complimentary all-day refreshments and biscotti in the lobby.

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Hotel Gran Duca di York, but the limited room configurations aren't ideal for families. Extra beds can't be added to rooms, and there are no interconnecting units.