Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

160  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Milan tends to cater mostly to businessmen shows (held in February and March as well as
and women; and the majority of hotels are, September and October) and the top trade
therefore, modern and geared to their needs, fairs. However, independent travellers should
offering in-room work facilities. However, it is be able to secure good accommodation on
also possible to find atmospheric old hotels arrival, even if they have not booked ahead.
and charming guesthouses in the historic At the lakes, the choice ranges from guest-
heart of the city. Accommodation generally houses to fascinating historic hotels, which
comes in the medium to high price range have drawn visitors and celebrities from all
with either private parking or garage facilities over the world since the 19th century. The
nearby. Hotels, especially those with four stars most luxurious of these are in charming 17th-
and above, often have prestigious restaurants and 18th-century villas, with flower-filled
that are among the finest in the city. It is terraces, health clubs and heated pools. For
best to book accommodation in advance, more information regarding accommodation
especially during the international fashion in Milan and at the lakes, see pages 162–5.

Choosing a Hotel
The Italian for hotel is
albergo. A pensione or locanda
theoretically indicates a more
modest guesthouse, but in
practice the distinctions are
quite blurred.
Most of the hotels in
Milan are concentrated in
the Buenos Aires–Stazione
Centrale area, near the
Fieramilanocity and in the
Città Studi district. The first
group is situated for the most
part in Piazza della Repubblica
and near the main railway
station, which is practical
for visitors who arrive on a A luxuriously furnished room in Grand Hotel Tremezzo (see p164), Tremezzo
short stay. Some of the more
interesting hotels are the Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Hotel Villa Serbelloni (see
luxurious Seven Stars Galleria Hotel Principe di Savoia p164) at Bellagio and Grand
(see p162), in the Galleria (see p163), decorated in the Hotel Tremezzo (see p164)
1930s style. Around the Fiera, at Tremezzo, while at Lago
hotels cater for professional d’Iseo there is L’Albereta
and business visitors, while at (see p165) in Erbusco and at
Città Studi travellers can find Lago d’Orta the grand Villa
clean, inexpensive two-star Crespi (see p165), located in
hotels. In the historic centre, Orta San Giulio.
a few charming hotels still
remain. The Gran Duca di
York (see p162) has an intimate, Booking
boutique atmosphere. The Accommodation in Milan and
Palazzo Parigi Hotel & the Lakes can often be booked
Grand Spa Milano (see p162) online, or by calling the hotel,
is quite an elegant hotel with a confirmation generally
as well. sent by email. Almost all of the
At the lakes, hotels are more Milanese hotels have email
geared to holidaymakers as facilities and some, usually the
well as families. Some of Italy’s upmarket ones, have websites
most famous luxury hotels are where visitors can book directly
situated around lake shores. online. The hotel will probably
The opulent lobby of Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Lake Como boasts luxury ask for a credit card number
Grand Spa Milano (see p162) hotels such as the Grand in advance.
Lakeside seating at the tavern-style Locanda San Vigilio, Lake Garda

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