Urban hotel with a country feel in Milan’s vibrant Navigli area
Maison Borella / Milan / Italy
It is fascinating that Milan, the capital of fashion (or maybe it is Paris… Ok, if it isn’t the capital, Milan is for sure the second city) has so few design hotels. When I was traveling here with some friends I had to go through a lot of hotels before I found one that I felt met the high standards (humble much…?) of Selected by RG. The hotel I finally found was this one, Maison Borella.
Maison Borella is located in the vibrant area of Navigli, on the outskirts of downtown Milan. This is an area where the Naviglio Grande canal is the backbone and along the canal there are restaurants, bars and cafés that will keep you busy for days. It is right next to this canal where you’ll find the hotel, so basically prime location.
This hotel is situated in a restored 18th century building, built around a leafy courtyard, which by they way is a perfect place to retreat if the Navigli area feels too vibrant. What strikes me with this hotel is the quirky, almost mismatching design. The combo of vintage furniture with a brutal concrete staircase kind of sums it up. Clashing design elements that result in something unique and interesting. There are 24 rooms in total and if I can give a recommendation it is to ask for a room facing the courtyard since the Italians know how to play and how to party. Or indeed - if you are a party animal, just grab whatever room and join them.
Welcome to Maison Borella!
Brick walls, stone floors and statement furniture.
The lobby of the hotel is a fun mix of vintage and contemporary. A kind of schizo look but in a good way.
Unique statement lamps in the lobby brings a modern vibe.
The vintage look of the hotel changes entirely when you walk up to the rooms via the modern looking concrete staircase.
The hotel is built around a court yard with the majority of the hotel rooms facing a leafy atrium.
The “corridor” leading to our hotel room.
Our room had an incredible ceiling height. I love the raw wooden ceiling and the exposed beams.
Typical Italian bed linen.
Always a good idea to have tote bags in the room that you can borrow for your shopping trip around town.
Old stone floors, vintage furniture and modern art work. A fun and eclectic mix that really works.
There is green and leafy courtyard is a perfect place for en evening glass of red.
Some nationalistic street art on the house next door to the hotel.
Navigli really comes alive in when the darkness comes where locals come to hang out along the canal. They come to eat, to drink and to play.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are coming to Milan and you want to stay where the locals come to play. If you are looking for a boutique hotel that has a rural vibe and that is located in an area away from where most other tourists stay then look no further!
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the location. The Navigli area is so vibrant and full of life with an exaggerated amount of bars, restaurants and cafes lining the cute canal. This is where the locals come to have fun and to show off. To take part in this spectacle is better than watching a play at the theatre.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…is to take the metro into town to walk along the fancy streets where all the famous fashion brands have their flagship stores. It is a great place to window shop and just marvel (and sometimes laugh) at all the beautiful (and sometimes totally crazy-looking) stuff.
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