As part of a quick trip to Italy, I booked a return ticket from Milan Malpensa Airport back home to give myself an excuse to stay at the Park Hyatt Milan. Despite having spent a while in Milan over the past five years, I was never quite able to snag an award night that was convenient. This time, however, I was able to do it—and I wasn’t disappointed.
Booking the Park Hyatt Milan
I redeemed 40,000 World of Hyatt points for one night in a standard room. With nightly rates hovering around €1000, that’s not bad value. Since the Park Hyatt Milan is a Category 8 property, you won’t find award nights available for anything less than 40,000 points and, at peak times, you’re looking at 45,000 points per night.
Hyatt has just two transfer partners, so if you don’t have enough Hyatt points on hand, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards Points.
Location
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better-located hotel anywhere in Milan. The Park Hyatt sits at the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning shopping gallery and significant landmark, and about five minutes from the Duomo di Milano, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and Italy’s largest church. The hotel is also near the subway, so venturing beyond the city center isn’t tricky.
The flip side of such a central location is that the area directly outside the hotel is crowded at most hours of the day and night. It didn’t bother me much—the rooms were well sound-proofed—but it’s something to remember.
Lobby & check-in
This hotel is on the small side and feels more like a luxury boutique than other Park Hyatts I’ve visited. The lobby reflects this; it’s understated and cozy. Since I visited around the holidays, it was tastefully decked out in seasonal decorations.
You’ll probably be able to tell from the photos, but the designers of this hotel seem to adore travertine, which adorns nearly every surface in sight. I’m not complaining.
Room
I have Hyatt’s highest tier status, Globalist, and was hoping for a room upgrade—but, sadly, the hotel was at capacity. Fortunately, the standard room was plenty comfortable.
Like the rest of the hotel, my room was refurbished last year and still looked brand new. The room felt relatively spacious by European standards, but by American standards, it felt cramped. The design is what might best be called subdued contemporary luxury, featuring a neutral color palette with warm tones. It’s not overflowing with character but it’s not entirely bland either.
The bed, which was mighty comfortable, has a plush leather headboard that extends to form a feature wall, complemented by a padded wall paneling above. On each side of the bed are matching nightstands with simple table lamps that provide a soft, ambient light. The room’s focal point is a monochrome abstract painting of broad, squiggly lines.
Sheer curtains allowed natural light to filter in, which made the room feel airy despite its size, while the geometric patterned area rug added texture and contrast to the floor. A suede tan chair and dark round table are positioned near the foot of the bed, creating a (very) small sitting area.
In front of the sitting area is a TV and a Nespresso machine, Lavazza coffee pods, as well as tea bags atop a credenza. Pretty standard nowadays, but nonetheless a nice way to start the day.
Most importantly, the hotel staff had left a welcome gift of four delicious chocolates, which I ate almost immediately.
The first drawer of the credenza holds a minibar featuring the usual suspects–soft drinks, bottled water, wine, and spirits, as well as overpriced snacks.
The drawer above held coffee mugs and a bottle opener.
The closet contained a safe, slippers, laundry bags, and two plush bathrobes.
Bathroom
My bathroom was designed, like the rest of the room, with contemporary and clean lines–and the designer once again made it clear that they really like travertine, which covers most visible surfaces.
In the toilet area, a white toilet with a contrasting black seat that reminds me a bit too much of an airplane lavatory sat adjacent to a matching bidet, both under a striking piece of abstract art. The light-plastered walls around these fixtures were subtly textured, providing a neutral backdrop.
The vanity section was distinguished by a marble countertop with pronounced veining, housing an undermount sink and a modern faucet. Above the sink, a large, arched mirror was flanked by two vertical wall sconces that cast a soft light over the area. A magnifying mirror and toiletries were neatly arranged for convenience, and the storage beneath the sink was concealed within the vanity, maintaining a clutter-free zone.
The centerpiece of the travertine-clad bathing area was a freestanding white bathtub next to a spacious walk-in shower enclosed by a glass partition, which featured both a rain shower head and a handheld showerhead.
Breakfast
The Park Hyatt Milan’s breakfast service, which came free with my globalist benefits, was absolutely superb. Featuring both a buffet and an a la carte menu, guests have access to virtually any breakfast item imaginable.
The selection was massive, and the food was all outrageously good. From the freshly baked pastries to the cured meats to the cappuccinos, everything I tried was as good or better than the very best breakfasts I’ve ever eaten.
Service
Generally, I was impressed with the service quality. Upon arrival, the check-in process was quick and felt personal, and I was greeted with a level of professionalism and warmth that set the tone for the entire visit.
The concierge service was responsive and impressively knowledgeable and had a seemingly photographic memory for restaurants. They managed to snag me two dinner reservations at sceney restaurants and offered tailored suggestions after I mentioned I was interested in Renaissance painters.
Housekeeping was impeccable, maintaining the room to a pristine standard and going so far as to untangle various charging cables. The turn-down service, though it’s something I’ve always thought is somewhat pointless, was actually a nice touch. Room service was another highlight. I ordered twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner, and the food was delivered quickly and presented beautifully both times.
Throughout my stay, every interaction with the hotel staff was characterized by their eagerness to assist while respecting my personal space and privacy. This seamless service, with an undercurrent of quiet efficiency and attentiveness, truly made my stay at the hotel a memorable one.
Conclusion
The Park Hyatt Milan exceeded my expectations and delivered on all fronts. This boutique stunner packs a one-two punch: prime real estate in Milan’s historic center, and intimate five-star service that makes you feel right at home.
Admittedly, the standard rooms run small by American standards, but the design makes it feel cozy rather than cramped. The contemporary-chic aesthetic may feel a bit sterile to some, but I didn’t mind it. From the tasteful holiday decorations in the lobby to the warm welcome amenity waiting in my room, small touches made a big impact throughout my stay.
Given the high rates, a stay here requires splurging points or saving up, but the Park Hyatt Milan makes a compelling case that it’s worth it. For those seeking an intimate luxury property in Milan’s beating heart, this is a nearly unbeatable option.
