Spadari al Duomo, Milan, Italy

Hotel Spadari al Duomo is a brilliantly sophisticated four-star design hotel situated in Milan, just one block from the Duomo. The all blue design hotel is owned by an architect's family, which is evident in the structural and creative details, including hand-crafted furniture and an extensive collection of contemporary art.

The facilities

Hotel Spadari al Duomo does not have a restaurant, but they do serve breakfast each morning and serve drinks in the lounge later in the day. Breakfast includes fresh fruit and scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, among other specialties that can be cooked to order. Milan's best delicatessen, Peck, is right next door, boasting great dine-in and take-away Italian cuisine and wine. Also, insider recommendations from the design hotel’s staff will lead guests to nearby non-tourist restaurants that provide great local food for moderate prices.

The rooms

The 38 guest rooms of the design hotel are sky blue, contemporary and spacious, and come with immaculate modern bathrooms and all the usual amenities. Paintings by young Milanese artists are on rotating display throughout the design hotel, making each room truly unique. While the rooms are distinctively artistic, the rooms maintain a homey feel with personal touches from the staff, which can include a collection of short stories on the turned-downed beds, perfect for winding down.