Hotel Spadari al Duomo, Milan

• Hotel Spadari is centrally placed on (the quieter) Via Spadari, less than 5 minutes from the Duomo on foot.
• Notable landmarks beyond the Duomo can be reached on foot within 15 minutes, from the glass-domed Galleria (5 minutes) and La Scala Opera House (7 minutes) to Castello Sforzesco (10 minutes).
• Known for their excellent service, the staff will help you purchase a garage ticket (if you give them your license plate number ahead of arrival) and chauffeur you to the nearest car park.
• The inclusive buffet breakfast is simple, though ingredients come from nearby establishments, like deli meats from celebrated delicatessen Peck just next door.
• Eclectic artworks from the proprietors' private collection, which include works by established and emerging Italian artists, are a fun highlight.

• Given its location on a tiny street, taxi pickup and drop-off can be a bit cumbersome.
• Your patience might be tried with the small and slow single elevator, typical of older European properties.

Authenticity

Set in a 1950s building, Hotel Spadari al Duomo has been in the family for three generations, passed down from the current owners' grandfather. His daughter, Marida (and her partner), transformed the hotel into the art and design-forward hotel it is today, displaying the family's private art collection of Italian and international works throughout (including renowned Italian sculptors and painters). The Milanese designer Ugo La Pietra designed the blue and green color palette and wood floors and unique furnishings. 

Location

The highly praised location means you can walk to landmarks, like the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Italy's oldest still-active shopping arcade) in under 5 minutes and the Teatro alla Scala in 7, and you'll have access to numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés along the way. To check out Da Vinci's "Last Supper" takes about 20 minutes on foot or a 12-minute transit ride. It's a 10-15-minute cab ride from the central train station or a 15-minute subway ride with the metro stop (Duomo) 4 minutes away. There's also a tram stop opposite Spadari's entrance.

Rooms & Bathrooms

10 categories of monochromatic colored rooms, each slightly distinct from one another, all highlight Hotel Spadari's passion for art and design (note the "bow-tie" shaped wood and textile-patterned headboards). Book the Special Deluxe with Terrace for a flower-filled (and quiet) view of the inner courtyard or the Special Deluxe with View option for added space and a bay window that looks out to the Duomo spires and the glass dome of the Galleria. Simmons mattresses are plush with toppers and satin sheets. Six en suite bathrooms have bathtub-shower combos, and all 10 feature Comfort Zone cosmetics, bathrobes, and slippers.

Amenities

There are few amenities at Hotel Spadari al Duomo, yet the staff's hospitality, the property's location, and the complimentary breakfast buffet may make up for the lack. Room chocolates, mineral water kept in the rooms and lobby, and a daily Prosecco happy hour in the lounge are nice touches. There's a fireplace and reading corner on the ground floor where you can lounge and soak in some of the proprietors' art collection.

Family-Friendliness

Families can book the Superior or Two-story Suite, which sleeps three and four guests, respectively (though note the latter has a flight of stairs beyond the reach of the elevator). Depending on the room, extra beds are available upon request (for a fee), as are complimentary cots for the littlest of your crew.