Bulgari Hotel & Resort in Italy, MIlan: A review of Bulgari Hotel

When the Bulgari Hotel opened in May, it was the first joint venture between Ritz-Carlton and Bulgari, the Italian jewelers. The result? A well-designed, sleek hotel with all the services and hospitality for which the Ritz-Carlton is known. Located just steps away from Milan's best shopping district, the hotel has a private garden, and the overall look is streamlined and ultramodern. Bedrooms are decorated with neutral tones of brown, gray and black. Rates start at Û450 per night ($602). --Forbes

Milan's five-star Bulgari Hotel is set in private gardens in an upmarket cultural area near the La Scala opera house. Its 52 rooms are cutting-edge Italian style.The spa with indoor pool are ultra luxurious add-ons. The La Scala is half a mile, as are the shops of Montenapoleone. The Duomo is a mile away while Lak Como is an easy 25 miles away. The Milan Linate Airport is about 20 minutes off while the Milan Malpensa Airport is 45 mins away. The hotel has a limousine service from the airport ($110 one-way from Linate; $220 one-way from Malpensa). There are also taxis (75 Euros from Malpensa; 20 Euros from Linate) and buses (5 Euros from Malpensa; 1,5 Euros from Linate).

Designed by Antonio Citterio and Partners, the hotel is set on a private street adjacent to the fashion district, La Scala, the botanical gardens, and the Brera district. Built to resemble a Milanese monastery, the hotel has a black-and-bronze interior showcasing exotic woods and precious marbles—Black Zimbabwe marble in the public spaces; Vicenza stone and Turkish Aphyon in the spa. The Citterio designed spa, gym and treatment rooms are fitted out in teak, bronze and stone, and has a spectacular gold pool and Turkish bath, set in a green glass cube. Founded upon the traditions of “wellness through water,” the spa offers a multitude of services.

Other hotel amenities include a lobby lounge and fireplace; concierge services, baby-sitting services, dry-cleaning services, unpacking services, and personal-shopper services. A safe-deposit box is available at the front desk (guestrooms also have safes), as are complimentary laptops and wireless printers. Meeting facilities include a boardroom that accommodates 12 people and a private dining room that accommodates up to 12 people.