Gina Baksa Savours La Dolce Vita at Milan’s Luxurious Hotel Principe di Savoia.
A destination hotel for the cognoscenti since the 1920’s, this stunning Neoclassical hotel (owned by Dorchester Collection) has welcomed heads of state to fashionistas to captains of industry.
This landmark hotel takes pride of place on the Piazza della Repubblica in Milan’s business district of Porta Nuova. Only a 20-minute taxi from Linate airport, Hotel Principe di Savoia is a seductive mix of Old World luxury combined with the latest high tech. Guest have included such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin and Josephine Baker, Evita Peron and Maria Callas, and more recently Madonna.
We arrive on an unseasonally warm October afternoon, this my first visit to the city. Arguably lacking the beauty of her southern sisters, what Milan lacks in aesthetics she makes up for in sheer energy and pride of place. The capital of finance and fashion, the Milanese are justifiably proud of their city, exemplified in finely cut tailoring, sharp suits and attitude.
The women here look gorgeous. As does the foyer of Hotel Principe di Savoia – a cool marble and Murano glass chandelier backdrop to classical paintings, and a unique carbon sculptures from designer Alistair Gibson.
The Principe Bar, undoubtedly one of the sexiest hotels bars I’ve ever seen, has also been transformed under the expert eye of New York designer Thierry Dupont who has created a decadent marble and velvet sanctuary to see and be seen. I could linger long here but have a massage appointment on the top floor at Club 10 – the sports and spa area.
My therapist Noemi is very professional and very thorough. My knots are undone and I can move my head again. I enjoy a relaxing steam, sauna, Jacuzzi and swim in the pool afterwards. From the outside terrace there are 180-degree views of Milan across Porta Nuova – Milan’s main business district, the newest area of the city. A well-equipped gym is on this floor too.