Best Value Hotels in Milan, Province of Milan

The three-pearl LaFavia Four Rooms is a bed-and-breakfast-style boutique property housed in a historic renovated private residence, located just outside central Milan. Decor is elegant and on-trend, and rooms have tons of panache, with patterned wallpaper, chic furniture, and vintage accents. All have air-conditioning, armchairs, console desks, and free Wi-Fi, but no TVs. Bathrooms are on the small side but feature attractive shower tiling and heated towel racks. The two larger rooms boast private terraces and kitchenettes. Amenities are limited but guests rave about the tranquil, lush roof garden and veranda where breakfast is served, although travelers with mobility issues should note there's no elevator to the second floor. Porta Garibaldi Bed and Breakfast offers a good alternative with larger, apartment-style rooms, although it isn't quite as charming. 

Belcanto B&B is housed in an old, vibrant building and has only four rooms. Decor is fresh and airy, if simple, and all rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms. A tasty breakfast of homemade croissants is provided, and there’s a pretty patio area off the breakfast room that faces a garden. The property is in a residential neighborhood somewhat outside the city center, but Central Station can be reached in a 15-minute ride on public transportation. Guests give the owner good reviews for being warm and helpful. 

For a romantic stay in Milan, the three-pearl, 33-room Gran Duca di York is a solid bet. This boutique hotel is full of Old World charm and is only a five-minute walk from the famous Duomo. A collection of fresco artwork hangs in the lobby, giving it a bit of local character, and the pleasant, modern rooms all come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. A valet overnight parking service is available, though it's expensive. Guests are entitled to a free breakfast with a good selection of hot and cold options, but features are otherwise slim. Traveler's seeking city views from a rooftop terrace as well as a restaurant might consider the nearby Santa Marta Suites instead, though it's pricier.

Ostello Bello is a clean, centrally located hostel with a lively atmosphere and friendly staffers that speak multiple languages. The 11 basic rooms are either private or dormitories, though both categories have air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. The reasonable rates include a traditional Italian aperitivo plus a surprising number of freebies like breakfast, dinner, and snacks and coffee or tea in the communal kitchen. There are three landscaped terraces and a cozy common area with a foosball table, board games, and musical instruments. For something more traditional, it's worth looking at Hotel Edy, a homey budget option. Rates are similar, but it lacks the charm and is farther from the city center.

For a pleasant stay in a family-run value hotel, Il Girasole is hard to beat. It's situated away from the city center, so sightseers will have to rely on public transportation to get to big attractions like the Duomo (it's a 20-minute metro ride away). The attentive, friendly owners create a convincingly homey environment, which is reflected in the colorful decor and extras like a welcome glass of Prosecco. All 15 individually decorated rooms are basic and clean, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms. Private parking is available, there's a pool table, and breakfast is provided (for a fee), but other features are few. For something more central, the historic Gran Duca di York might work, though it has a bit less charm and is pricier.

The Antares Hotel Rubens is a small, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel in west Milan. It's convenient for both tourists and business travelers, with easy access to the historic center and convention centers via the metro. The 87 rooms are spacious -- with beautiful updated bathrooms -- though the decor is a bit dated. Amenities include a gym, a wine bar, and a free buffet breakfast with hot dishes (and even a pancake maker) served in a room with large windows overlooking the nearby square. Business travelers who want to walk to the Fiera Milano City exhibition center and MiCo Milano Congressi may prefer the Antares Hotel Accademia, though it’s not as convenient to tourist attractions and rates are usually higher.

A budget option with low rates, 22 Marzo Hotel offers 15 rooms with air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, but they feature dated bedding and tile flooring, nad bathrooms are tiny. There’s a small bar on-site, and the hotel offers a free extensive breakfast buffet that includes pastries, cold cuts, and cakes. It’s a bit outside the city center, but within a 10-minute ride (or 20-minute walk) to the Duomo. 

The 103-room Windsor Hotel Milano is an upscale property with equal parts modern and traditional style, bounded by the city's premiere shopping districts. Rooms either face the street or the courtyard, and vary between a traditionally elegant style (that can verge on dated) and a modern, polished style that resembles the chic common areas. A free Italian or continental breakfast is served in the cheerful Clotilde Bistrot, a well-lit, two-story restaurant that also serves regional fare at lunch and dinner. Entrance to the hotel is through its crisp, modern terrace with maroon awnings and black minimalist tables and chairs. The ample lobby offers several seating areas with plush sofas and chairs. There is a tram stop just outside the door and the hotel is a 10-minute walk to Milan's main train station. As an alternative, travelers could try the four-pearl Carlyle Brera Hotel in the same neighborhood.

Hotel Mediolanum Milan is all about color and design. This modern four-pearl property -- a seven-minute walk to the Central Railway Station -- is filled with shades of yellow, purple, blue, rose, and green, and the lobby is an ode to contemporary design, with kinetic sculptures, Saarinen tulip chairs, shag rugs, and a small retro-style lounge and bar. The 51 rooms are a Crayon box of colors and whimsical design, and include free Wi-Fi, pay and satellite TV, minibars, and coffeemakers. Superior and Deluxe Rooms have added chromotherapy -- colored lighting meant to balance the body's physical, mental, or emotional energy. A large buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests have free access to the gym at the Hotel Sanpi Milano, about a five-minute walk away. Travelers could also consider the more subdued Starhotels Anderson, which is in the same neighborhood, and has its own Eataly restaurant. 

NH Grand Hotel Verdi was converted from private apartments to an attractive, upper-middle-range boutique hotel with expansive rooms and generally reasonable rates. Some of the furniture needs to be replaced, but even the lowest category rooms have a modern style and seemingly endless space. The location is ideal in that the neighborhood is quiet, but within walking distance to Milan's sights and public transportation lines. Business travelers and international tourists enjoy a free daily breakfast buffet with healthy options along with standard sweet fare. All'Opera restaurant gets high marks for fresh a la carte Italian food. If you're looking for something more intimate in the same area, check rates at Hotel Milano Scala.

The c-hotels Atlantic is a upper-middle-range chain hotel that delivers with solid features like free breakfast and Wi-Fi, clean and comfortable rooms, and perks like a fitness center (albeit a tiny one). The location isn't ideal for tourists who want to walk to the Duomo and high-end retail shops, but its right around the corner from Milan's Central Station and two underground stations, making it a convenient choice for budget-savvy travelers. Rooms were renovated in 2013 to include contemporary furniture and flat-screen TVs. There isn't an on-site restaurant, though there are several within walking distance of the hotel. Check rates at Best Western Plus Hotel Galles for an indoor pool and access to Corso Buenos Aires, one of the best shopping streets in Milan.

The 103-room NH Milano Machiavelli is an upper-middle-range chain property in the Porta Venezia district of central Milan. Sleek and airy common spaces include a light-filled restaurant and bar where a free breakfast buffet is served daily. Rooms are understated with an old-school style and modern bathrooms, though air-conditioning can be weak and some rooms get traffic noise. The hotel draws many business travelers with its six meeting rooms and comprehensive business center. Travelers with young children might prefer the less work-centric Starhotels Echo, which has a fitness center, stylish rooms, and a fine-dining restaurant.

Best Western Plus Hotel Galles is an upper-middle-range property with more to offer than the average chain hotel in Milan. The hotel retains much of its original 19th-century palace architecture with modern renovations that include a chic rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of Milan. The on-site Turkish bath, sauna, and fitness center are free for all guests to use as well, and breakfast is included in the rates. Rooms are decorated in the classic style and some have beautiful veranda-style balconies; some guests have complained of noise carrying from the street. The nearby Lima Metro Station takes passengers to the city center Duomo Cathedral in just four stops, while world famous Corso Buenos Aires is just outside of the hotel's topiary lined front doors.

Despite obvious efforts, the Hotel Mirage can't quite shake of the feel of a chain hotel. This 86-room, midrange hotel is not totally devoid of character, but there's still not a great deal to make it stand out -- rooms are adequate but unremarkable and facilities are pretty much what you'd expect for this type of property. While it's near a tram line, the hotel's location is less than ideal for those headed to Milan's center. However, for people in town for trade fairs at one of the nearby conference centers, the hotel's competitive rates make it a promising choice. BEST WESTERN Hotel Galles has a spa and rooftop restaurant in a more convenient neighborhood.

The 75-room Hotel Silver is an upscale property located a 20-minute drive from central Milan and an eight-minute drive to the local trade fair and exhibition center. Rooms are stylish with contemporary bathrooms and range from pleasant Standard Rooms to ornate Suites with whirlpool soaking tubs. The property includes a restaurant for all-day dining, a cozy bar, and a fitness center. An outdoor terrace with lots of tables and chairs gives another appealing common space. Nice freebies include buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking. The hotel also provides a free shuttle on the hour to a metro station, though the location is best suited to travelers with cars. For a property right in Milan's business district, travelers may prefer the Four Points by Sheraton Milan Center, which also has eight meeting rooms.