- Photo: Milan, Italy
This bijou apartment feels very hi-tech. All the electrics are controlled through a single system, with a few highlights like the sensor-controlled lights and superfast Wifi – all of this in a pretty building from the 1920s. Patches of exposed brickwork inside lend an industrial-chic feel and the wooden ceiling is a nod to the past. Furnishings are understated and neutral-toned, allowing a mellow feel. You've got plenty of space in the bedroom, especially when you open up the door to the little balcony.You're in central Milan here, a twenty-minute walk from the central station (and central market just outside it). It's also a twenty-five-minute walk to the historic sights of the Duomo and Teatro alla Scala. Or, you could hop on the metro at Porta Venezia just outside your door. *At capacity (four guests) two people will be on the sofa bed in the living room*There is a balcony but it is small and unfurnished*Smoking is only allowed on t...More Details
A Place in the City
Aloysius used to make up part of an industrial development, which has since been turned into blocks of flats. It’s got a real homely feeling to it, and you can tell that it’s somewhere that is actually lived in, rather than a flat done up purely for renting out. There’s no getting around the fact that you won’t be staying in the centre of Milan, but there’s a metro station about ten minutes from the flat, and from there it’s around fifteen minutes to the Duomo, so it’s easy enough to get into the middle of the city if you need to get there. *The stairs outside gather a bit of grime, so Gisella would prefer you to wear slippers inside*Gisella lives here most of the time, so it's very much the experience of staying in someone's home*It's a bit of a trek to get to the city centre and the nearest metro station is ten minutes away on foot Air ConditioningBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCentral HeatingDishwasherDryerFreezerFridgeHair DryerIronIro...More Details
Tramlines is in a fantastic position – central but removed from the tourists around the Duomo, and perfect for people who want to experience the Milan that its inhabitants know. It’s decked out in a neutral colour scheme, and while there’s no getting around the fact that it’s small, the general level of quality is such that it’s still very comfortable. And we haven’t even spoken about the bathroom yet, which is disproportionately large and even has a jacuzzi in it. *There's no lift so you'll have to climb the stairs to the second floor*The flat is small and there isn't a real living room*Corso Magenta is quite busy, and noise reaches the bedroom if the windows are open*There are no bedside tables*The kitchen doesn't have a dishwasher*There's a maximum stay of ten days Air ConditioningBathtubBreakfast IncludedBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCarbon Monoxide DetectorCentral HeatingChild FriendlyCoffee MakerCooking EssentialsCot / CribFire Exti...More Details
Tramlines Charm
It’s usually easy to tell when a home is really just a market opportunity, rented out to make profit for landlords. Similarly, it’s easy to tell when a place has actually been lived in, as is the case with Fibonacci. There are books on the shelves and things in the cupboards, and it’s touches like this that give a flat a soul (although the less said about the motivational quotes the better). A split over two floors helps as well, but because the stairs are quite steep, small children have a difficult time reaching the bedrooms, so we’d probably suggest a minimum age of five or so. *The spiral staircase is steep and narrow*Up to three people can sleep in the living room on one double sofa bed and a chaise longue that folds out*The bedrooms are under the eaves and the ceilings slope down on one side*When we visited, we found a fair amount of the owners' possessions in the cupboards*There's only one shower, and as many as seven people can...More Details
This charming Milanese home has been put together like a composition. Each element runs into the next, seamlessly blending bold design choices. The result is a fetching, bright space that’s at once comfortable and stylish. What’s more, it’s conveniently located in a peaceful residential area within easy reach of the city’s sights. If getting a good night’s sleep is important to you, this is a great choice for your city break. The apartment is just off a shared courtyard that’s peaceful and private, so your slumber will be undisturbed. And you’ll need your rest after action-packed days exploring stylish Milan. The Amendola metro stop is just a three-minute walk from the apartment, so you can explore the key sights with no trouble at all. The Duomo di Milano and its incredible architecture is a fourteen-minute journey away on the metro, and it takes twelve minutes to reach Castle Sforzesco. There you can wander through the beautiful garde...More Details
The use of marble in Sorbetto is a masterstroke. It cools down the air, providing respite from the hot, dry Milanese summers, as well as giving it a sense of brightness and clarity. There’s also a decent balcony, which might not be huge but looks out into the trees beside the house and adds to the feeling of calm. It is, however, important to be aware that Sorbetto isn’t very central. It’s well-connected by the metro, but getting anywhere on foot will take at least half an hour. *When we visited, the wi-fi was a bit patchy and we could only get 6Mbps*There's a metro station nearby but it's too far to get to the centre of Milan on foot Air ConditioningBalconyBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCarbon Monoxide DetectorCentral HeatingCleaning ProductsCoffee MakerCooking EssentialsDishwasherElectricity AdaptorsFreezerFridgeHair DryerIronIroning BoardKitchenKitchen UtensilsLaptop Friendly WorkspaceLibrary of BooksLift AccessMicrowaveMosquito NetMult...More Details
Where It Goes
Where It Rains
Where It Flies
Bankside has a wonderful view, overlooking the confluence of two of the canals of Navigli. It’s right in the middle of the area – one of Milan’s liveliest – and works well as a base from which to explore. The interior is never going to win awards for its design, but it’s kept very well, and honestly, you’ll be spending most of your time sipping a spritz on the canal anyway. *There is a single sofa bed for a third guest, but as this is a studio we wouldn't recommend more than two people at a time *While there is a lift to the fourth floor, you'll have to climb a flight of stairs to get to it *There is nowhere soft to sit apart from the bed *This home is in a central spot, so noise is to be expected Air ConditioningBalcony / PatioBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCarbon Monoxide DetectorCentral HeatingChild FriendlyCoffee MakerCooking EssentialsDishwasherElectricity AdaptorsExtra Pillows and BlanketsFire ExtinguisherFridgeHair DryerHangersIronK...More Details
The Junction
First things first – you have to be completely aware of where Soft Rush is. If you’re hoping to stay in the shadow of the Duomo, you’ll be disappointed. However, it is pretty close to Linate airport, so it’s convenient if you’re flying in there (a taxi shouldn’t take much more than five minutes, traffic permitting). The flat itself is very nice, with huge ceilings, and a Japanese-style bed, with a futon on a traditional tatami mat. It’s all very open, but that gives it a sense of space, and the way that the living room opens out onto the terrace adds to the sensation. *The flat's a long way from any real point of interest, and given that the area is pretty deserted, it doesn't feel completely safe at night*It's situated in the middle of a railway junction, so you'll hear trains going past regularly*When we visited, neither the wi-fi or the TV had been installed, so we weren't able to test them*The bed's a futon on a tatami mat, so it's...More Details
Fairy Wings
The sheer amount of natural light in Seedling is remarkable. It’s hard to overestimate the effect that can have on a flat. There’s a relaxed atmosphere to the place, underscored by the abundance of plants and books. It feels like somewhere to retreat to after a day out, whether sightseeing or working. Equally though, you could easily spend hours lounging around that living room. If you couldn’t tell, we’re rather taken by Seedling. *The building has a doorman, but only until 5pm*There are quite a few scuff marks and scratches on the walls*We came across a fair amount of Violetta's belongings when we visited*It's a matter of preference, not a criticism, but the mattress is fairly soft*The shower is 180cm high – tall people might have to duck*There's no dishwasher Air ConditioningBalcony / PatioBathtubBicyclesBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCentral HeatingChild FriendlyCleaning ProductsCooking EssentialsDishwasherDoormanDryerDrying RackFreeze...More Details
Ursa Major
All but a five-minute walk to the Corso Venezia – part of the city's upscale Quadrilatero della moda shopping district – this enviable apartment sits right at the heart of the fashion hubbub. Locally, the surrounding area is lovely, benefitting from calm squares, grand architectural statements, and the historic centre is easy to get to on foot – the Duomo di Milano is a twenty-minute stroll away. Back home, you'll find a bright and roomy living space with light neutral tones, soft thoughtful furnishings, chic replica prints and a stylish Castiglioni lamp. The kitchen is colourful and uplifting, with pops of red, plenty of sunlight coming in through the window and a charming dining spot to enjoy breakfast while planning out the day's trips. The bedrooms have their own personalities, with a children's bunk-bed room that will quickly put the kids at ease. *Even though there's a lift, there are eight steps to climb before you reach it*Not ...More Details
Rainbow Eucalyptus
Located on the top floor of a historic building, this home is tucked behind Chinatown (the oldest in the country) and just a thirteen-minute walk from Parco Sempione, where you can spend some time wandering through the city’s greenery until you arrive at Castello Sforzesco. You’ll be staying in a lively and local area, a quick twelve-minute walk from the nightlife hubs of City Life and Arco della Pace, but for a lowkey night out you’ll be by the neighbourhood’s buzzing restaurants and bars. Inside, you’ll find this small space has been carefully designed – bright skylights overhead, a custom-built kitchenette and an angular breakfast nook are arranged to make the most of the little footprint. Striking red furniture and calming blue walls transform this modest modern home into a bold, personality-packed base. So relax on the sofa, enjoy breakfast at the counter and fall asleep soundly in the bedroom, feeling right at home. *The lift onl...More Details
Wave's Crest
Join the Dots
First things first, Crystal isn’t in the middle of Milan (it’s actually not in Milan at all), so if you’re hoping to wake up with a view of the Duomo, this isn’t the best place. However, it’s not hard to get into the city during the day, as there’s a metro station about ten minutes from the flat, and if you need to get to the Mediolanum Forum, it’s fantastically placed. And the flat itself is lovely. Part of a newish development, everything is modern, and there’s tonnes of space, indoors and out. Of course, it’s also kept in immaculate condition by Chantal. *This is a long way from the centre Milan – there's a metro that can take you into the city, but there's no chance of getting in on foot*There's an enormous shopping centre just to the south of the flat, so you can expect it to get busy during the day*If you're staying for any length of time, you might have to chip in and help water the plants*The en-suite bathroom doesn't have any ...More Details
Even though the historic centre, and the old fashion district, are a little way away from Clavinova, we think the location is one of the big draws of the flat. Tortona is very cool, with several museums, most notably the Mudec, Italy’s answer to the MoMA. It’s on the top floor of the building, which makes for a view that stretches for miles. It’s not exactly the Manhattan skyline, but it’s nice all the same. Similarly, the interior could do with livening up a bit, but it’s very comfortable, and enormous to boot. *The lift only goes up to the floor below so you'll have to take the stairs from there*There are no curtains, just shutters on the outside*You can connect a streaming account to the TV, but it'll have to be your own*The dining chairs outside are plastic patio furniture – not the highest quality*Two people can sleep on a sofa bed in the living room, and there's also a single bed tucked away behind the screen in the corner*A tram...More Details
Located in a calm, residential neighbourhood near Wagner station, Herbarium is a perfect stay for those who want to retreat into a peaceful area after a day of sightseeing. This big and bright home is equipped with everything you’ll need for a short (or long) stay while hiding quite a number of quirky design details. From the playful mirror in the bathroom to the tree-trunk dining table, Herbarium is a relaxed apartment with a socially conducive atmosphere – a place where it's easy to feel at home. * There are several steps leading to the elevator – those with limited mobility or heavy suitcases beware* When we tested this home, the WiFi wasn't working – but the host is on the case* This is a lived-in home, so there are a few personal objects dotted around the apartment* Aside from the TV with local channels, there aren't many entertainment options available * Although the nearest metro station is only a minute away, this home isn't ex...More Details
This flat is one of those places that makes you feel at home as soon as you arrive. It's full of gusto – think vivid greens, bright reds, glitzy gold mirrors and at the centre of it all, a gorgeous jungle-themed wallpaper that adds the perfect amount of pizazz. The living room was our favourite spot to relax and unwind after a long day, but the Japanese-style bathroom, Scandi-style kitchen and the cosy bedroom were just as stylish. Although there's nowhere to sit, we enjoyed the small balcony, too – it catches the evening sun and looks out over the bustling city streets, so you can stand with a glass of wine and watch the world pass by. Location-wise, you're nestled at the edge of Chinatown and Sempione, so there's a vast array of bars and restaurants of all types within walking distance. Runners can start their morning off with a jog through Parco Sempione (fourteen minutes on foot) before enjoying a day sightseeing – Castello Sforzesc...More Details
This home is enormous. It’s easily the largest home in our Milan collection – it can house a staggering eighteen people if you make full use of the various beds and sofa beds set across the five separate suites. Set over three floors in a Liberty-style villa, each of the suites comes with a certain degree of autonomy (kitchenettes, en-suite bathrooms and the like). It’s not in the city's medieval centre, but there’s no way you'd find this much space if you were much more central. The Tre Torri neighbourhood is relatively residential, but you couldn't be more conveniently positioned to access the city centre – Buonarroti station (on Metro line 1) is just at the end of the road – a two-minute walk away. From here, you can access the Centro Storico – with all its piazzas, palaces, monasteries, basilicas and spectacular cathedral – in a little over ten minutes. This is also where you'll find Milan's fashionable boutiques – it's not known as...More Details
Maestro Antico
On The Block
Empatia goes to show how much you can do, even with a small space. The flat’s very bright, and when you’re inside, it’s clear how much work Marta’s put into the place – she designed it all herself. While there are bright colours all over the place, they’re set against fairly neutral backgrounds, so never feel overwhelming. We particularly like the creativity shown with the balcony – repurposing the space like that takes a fair amount of imagination and it pays off. *While the flat isn't a studio, the living room and the bedroom are the same space*There's no lift so you have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the flat*The TV is very small – hardly a home cinema experience*Getting to the balcony requires a little agility to climb out the window*There's no washing machine or tumble dryer Air ConditioningBalconyBuzzer / Wireless IntercomCarbon Monoxide DetectorCentral HeatingCoffee MakerCooking EssentialsDishwasherDVD LibraryDVD PlayerEspr...More Details