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The Four Seasons Milan is a hotel that makes a powerful first impression – but the exact nature of the impression will depend on what time you arrive. Turn up in the evening or early morning and you find yourself on a sleepy residential street which makes a quiet backdrop to the beautiful Renaissance building that has housed the hotel for the last 20 years. Layers of history are evident throughout the hotel – in the cloistered courtyard and high ceilings and frescoes, which lend an aura of old-fashioned romance and grandeur. Arrive in the daytime, however, and a different type of grandeur is all around, for this quiet, historic street is also just a stone’s throw from Milan’s most fashionable designer boutiques in the Quadrilatero d’Oro (“rectangle of gold”) shopping area.
These streets may not be literally paved with gold, but everything is bathed in a deep golden hue – wealth and style resonates from the palatial buildings and window displays. The people on the streets play their part by sporting the latest catwalk trends, while the hotel porters are laden with bags from Armani, Prada, Valentino et al. If you’re in Milan to snap up some of the latest trends or simply window shop around Italy’s fashion capital, staying at the Four Seasons will certainly put you in the heart of the action – whilst also providing a haven to recharge your batteries when you reach the post-shopping drop.
A large part of the hotel’s tranquillity comes from its retention of the building’s period features, many of which were reportedly uncovered by a happy accident when the 18th century residence that was being transformed into the Four Seasons turned out to have been converted from an even older building – a 15th century convent. The centrepiece of the hotel is the lovely landscaped courtyard, enclosed by the original cloister columns and arched walkways. Many of the rooms overlook the main courtyard or smaller courtyards and the interior design furthers the theme of Renaissance sumptuousness. Tall windows and a light colour palette of gold, terracotta and pastel are typical features of the rooms. Splurge on one of the suites and you get more unique details, such as high stucco ceilings, a canopy bed or private terrace.
As well as chilling in the courtyard, guests can unwind with afternoon tea in the Il Foyer lounge and enjoy live piano bar music in the evenings. So far, so classical – but no luxury hotel in fashionable Milano would be complete without some ever-evolving trend, and the Four Seasons also has that angle covered. For the autumn 2013 season, the bar is offering a jazzed up gin and tonic menu called Tonic Mood. Each of the ten G&Ts on the list comes with a story of international sourcing (such as a Spanish rosemary, basil and olive gin combined with a tonic all the way from Argentina), an artistic garnish of wild herbs, fruit or edible petals, a dash of theatrics and a 25 Euro price tag. Specific events are also laid on in the restaurants (Il Teatro and La Veranda), including gourmet Italian cookery classes and a Sunday brunch featuring a visit to the hotel’s intriguing chocolate room.
The hotel spa has unfortunately been closed for renovations, but is due to reopen any day, which is good news for those shopping-weary muscles in need of a massage or a dip in the pool. Catering to the glamorous surroundings, the spa also doubles as a beauty salon, providing manicures and pedicures alongside facials and relaxation treatments. There is even a resident hair salon to help prepare guests for stepping out onto the catwalk, otherwise known as the streets of Milan.
by Thea Macaulay
For more details about Four Seasons Milan, visit here