Hotel Panizza

The three-pearl Hotel Panizza's peach-colored facade retains much of its charming, 19th-century beaux arts appeal. Curvy scrolls line the tops of the door frames and window archways. The balconies are lined with sculpted columns and manicured shrubs. Inside, Panizza isn't quite as grand. Ornate tile-work, polished parquet floors, and a swirly wrought-iron banister recall a time when the building was in its heyday. Hallways are dotted with antique desks. One contemporary element is the new glass elevator. The gold and wood-grain reception desk looks a bit dated, and the breakfast room is a simple space with tile floors. It isn't exactly luxurious, but this mid-range hotel offers a clean and quiet place to stay at a good rate. 

The residential Magenta neighborhood is located in between the city center and suburbs, yet it still has several notable attractions. Leonardo Da Vinci's masterwork, "The Last Supper," is located in the Santa Maria Delle Grazie, a church that's 10 minutes away on foot or seven minutes away by car. The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology -- which features numerous drawings of his inventions as well as new innovations -- is a nine-minute walk away. Unicredit Tower, one of the tallest office buildings in Milan and located in the modern business district, is a 10-minute drive away or almost 30 minutes by metro. And downtown attractions, such as the Duomo di Milano, are around a 15 minute drive or metro ride. The nearest metro station to Hotel Panizza is a two-minute walk. The Malpensa Airport is a 40-minute ride by car or an hour on the metro.

The 16 rooms at Hotel Panizza are clean, bright, and on the small side. There are several room configurations to choose between. The Small Twin Room with a Balcony doesn't have much living space beyond the beds, which are nudged very close together. The bathroom has nice finishes, but is quite compact. The Superior Single Room with Terrace has a double bed, a bathroom big enough for two people to maneuver, and an ample terrace big enough for a table and two chairs with a beautiful view of the street. The Double Room with Balcony has a double bed, candy-red accent wall, and a petite balcony that looks out on the back of other buildings. Much of the furniture is in an IKEA-esque contemporary style that doesn't connect with the building's beaux arts heritage. Each room comes with a firm bed, free Wi-Fi, toiletries, and premium channels on a flat-screen TV.

Like its rooms, on-site features at the Hotel Panizza are basic but serviceable. There's no gym, business center, or full restaurant. The hotel lobby doubles as a bar where guests can relax with a drink, although the bar stool seating doesn't offer much space to kick back and unwind. The hotel's breakfast buffet -- of fresh fruit tarts, mini-cakes, and pastries -- is included in the standard rate. Hotel Panizza also has designated smoking areas. Wi-Fi is free throughout.