Santa Marta Suites, Milan

• You get to stay among the Roman ruins and medieval architecture of the Cinque Vie, a tiny neighborhood within Milan's Centro Storico.
• The location is ideal for exploring the center on foot: the Duomo is a 10-minute stroll east, while the vibrant canals of Navigli lie 20 minutes south.
• The good-sized rooms and suites feel old-fashioned and inviting, offering beautifully preserved original details like inlaid parquet floors and oak-beamed ceilings alongside modern amenities like sleek marble bathrooms and espresso machines. 
• The tiny rooftop terrace is a nice spot to catch a sunset over the nearby Duomo.

• Upper stories are reached by elevator, but bear in mind it's small and historic, and when it's under maintenance, you'll need to take the stairs.
• Top-floor rooms and suites feature sloped, garret-style ceilings that might feel cramped for taller guests. 
• There's no parking on-site, but paid lots are within walking distance. 

Authenticity

This small, pensione-style hotel isn't brimming with modern facilities, but it's hard to beat for authentic, old-school ambience and friendly, relaxed service. The historic building is a treasure trove of original details (including remnants of its former life as a traditional farmacia), which you'll spot as soon as you enter the cluttered, cozy lobby, where colorful art and overstuffed leather chairs jostle for position amid the medone tile flooring, granite columns, and arched ceilings. 

Location

You'll stay in the atmospheric Cinque Vie, an ancient neighborhood that's hidden in plain sight among Milan's busy Centro Storico. Comprised of five streets (or cinque vie), it's steeped in Roman and medieval history and now serves as the city's design district, with artisan workshops and art galleries tucked into narrow cobblestone alleys and quiet courtyards. It's an ideal base for exploring on foot: stroll 10 minutes east to reach the Piazza del Duomo, where you'll find the eponymous cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the metro, which connects you with the Milano Centrale train station in just 6 minutes.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel is arranged over five floors, with each floor hosting one room and one suite. The smallest units still feel relatively spacious by Milan standards, while suites add sitting and dining areas (and in some cases, a second bathroom or a private balcony). One first-floor suite is accessible for travelers with limited mobility. Oak-beamed ceilings, French windows, intricate parquet floors, and decorative marble fireplaces hint at the building's rich history, while decor is on the spare side, which helps keep the mix of Italian antiques, gilt mirrors, and velvet settees from feeling stuffy. More modern perks include sleek marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers, espresso makers, and air-conditioning.

Amenities

The petite rooftop terrace is a nice touch, complete with small tables where you can sip aperitivi with views over Milan's rooftops (including the nearby Duomo). Breakfast is served in the adjoining, ground-floor restaurant; expect a simple continental spread with vegan and gluten-free options. 

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at Santa Marta Suites, but the limited room options and lack of adjoining rooms won't be a great fit for larger families. Kids aged seven and over are charged as adults, and rollaway beds can be added to larger rooms for an additional fee.