Inaugurated in 1863, the Grand Hotel et de Milan embodies the elegance and charm of Milanese tradition. Located in the city’s heart, just a few steps from Teatro alla Scala, the Duomo, and the fashion district, the hotel is a landmark for international celebrities from the worlds of culture, entertainment, fashion, and business. Among the many distinguished guests who have stayed there, the great composer Giuseppe Verdi chose the “Milan” as his residence for many years. Since then, a love for music and opera has become a sublime leitmotif that runs through the hotel’s rooms. Other notable guests include Rudolf Nureyev, Maria Callas, and Tamara de Lempicka, among others. More recently, stars like Patti Smith, Richard Burton, and many others have also graced its halls.
Managed for three generations by the renowned Bertazzoni family, the Grand Hotel et de Milan preserves the intimate atmosphere of a historic residence, enriched with period furnishings and refined details. Original parquet floors, precious antique objects, and bold contemporary touches make every space perfectly suited to the 21st century. With 72 rooms and 23 suites recently renovated by the acclaimed Dimore Studio, the interiors blend contemporary elegance with vintage charm.
The renovated rooms are divided into five categories based on their dominant colour tones: cherry red, mustard, eggplant, powder blue, and cocoa. However, the primary colour serves merely as a subtle guide within which each room is uniquely decorated, featuring its furnishings, style, and historical references. Like a private home, each space boasts a distinctive mix of fabrics, paintings, objects, carpets, and textures that are never repeated, steering away from the standardization often seen in the hospitality industry.
The renovation project reflects a passion for history: objects and furnishings have retained the precious patina acquired over time, and there is a clear commitment to reviving the countless antique pieces and historical references that make up the rich heritage of the hotel. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and heating systems, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, a radio, a safe, spacious marble bathrooms with an in-suite telephone, exclusive bath products and cosmetics by Etro, and 24-hour room service.
A Culinary Experience of Elegance and Tradition
The hotel’s dining options include Gerry’s Bar, an ideal spot for an aperitif or post-theater drinks. Guests can soak in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. Whether at the bar or on the comfortable sofas, patrons can choose from classic cocktails and signature drinks, such as the “Mr. Bergman” (Campari, red vermouth, and bergamot liqueur) or the “Negroni Virgin,” an enticing mix of Chinotto, San Bitter, and Crodino.
There are two restaurants at the hotel, namely Caruso Nuovo Bistrot and Ristorante Don Carlos.
Caruso Nuovo Bistrot
Open for lunch and dinner, this bistro seamlessly blends Neapolitan and Milanese traditions in a modern setting. The warmth of family and the joy of shared meals create intimate moments around the table, where conversations, stories, dishes, and flavours come together to form lasting memories. A longstanding gathering spot, the Caruso Nuovo Bistrot is a quintessential Milanese salon deeply tied to people, food, culture, and theater. This restaurant stands out for its Mediterranean character, featuring vibrant colours, aromas, and the intense flavours of top-quality ingredients, which take center stage on the menu. The warm hospitality and attentiveness of the staff ensure that every guest feels at the heart of the experience. The bistro exudes a lighthearted and refined ambiance reminiscent of an elegant living room.
Dimore Studio has carefully preserved the historical details of the space, restoring original columns, intricate inlays, and terrazzo flooring—elements characteristic of Milan’s aristocratic heritage—while adding a touch of glamour in a meticulous historical reconstruction. The design plays with atmosphere, lighting, colour, and a bohemian sense of elegance. The exquisite jacquard fabric by Prelle, a historic French manufacturer known for Art Deco prints, adorns the restaurant’s benches and one of its walls. Brass elements illuminate and energize the space, creating striking colour contrasts that enhance the architectural moldings. The olive-green walls are enriched by warm burgundy stucco details and luxurious olive-green silk satin drapes. The interior is illuminated by seven custom “Oriente” chandeliers by Dimore Milano, crafted in silk jersey in various shades of red, lending the space a subtly exotic allure.
Ristorante Don Carlos
The second restaurant, Don Carlos, pays homage to Maestro Giuseppe Verdi with refined Italian cuisine and a prestigious wine cellar. Recently reimagined with a new, vibrant, and sophisticated touch, Don Carlos maintains the air of an aristocratic salon. Shadows and lights dance harmoniously with fine porcelain and silverware, creating a dreamlike ambiance where art, music, and gastronomy merge seamlessly. It offers a true journey into the past.
This historic Milanese restaurant safeguards the flavours and traditions of the 19th century, inviting guests into a “secret” place that transcends time and space. Chef Francesco Potenza, who honed his craft under the mentorship of Gennaro Esposito, guides the restaurant, which presents an elegantly intricate identity. The menu is enriched with details that celebrate Milanese tradition, featuring signature dishes like quail, sole meunière, and beef tartare.
The restaurant’s décor, in shades of deep forest green and rich red, evokes a timeless era. Silver candelabras and sketches of opera and theater productions highlight its deep connection with Teatro alla Scala. The menu is structured in “acts,” offering a true “culinary opera” that moves away from the traditional sequence of appetisers, first courses, and main courses, instead creating a new narrative of flavours and experiences.
A symbol of timeless elegance, the Grand Hotel et de Milan continues to embody the spirit of Milan, where history, culture, and refined hospitality come together in perfect harmony. It remains a place where the past lives beautifully in the present.
Images: Instagram
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