Excelsior Hotel Gallia - Italian luxury in Milan

Milan is arguably the fashion capital of the world, and you'll find plenty of evidence to support this all around the city. The FORTLOC team was in town to film our Milan city tour, and of course, we needed suitable accommodation.

We always try to choose a place we'll likely find memorable and preferably central enough so it doesn't complicate the filming logistics (but that's a secondary priority). There's no shortage of great 5-star hotels in Milan, so settling on one wasn't easy, but after a tedious selection process, we selected Excelsior Hotel Gallia, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan (as described on the Marriot website).

Located at the northern end of central Milan, Excelsior Hotel Gallia is a place that commands your attention. The building sits right next to the imposing Milano Centrale (also known as Stazione Centrale ), the main train station in Milan and Piazza Duca d'Aosta, the large square right in front of the station.

You can learn more about the station and its blend of architectural styles on our Milan page and the upcoming Milan city tour video. Movie buffs may remember the train station scene from the Murder Mystery Netflix movie. That scene was filmed in Milano Centrale.

The hotel is also close to plenty of restaurants (not to mention the in-house ones), so we had high hopes that we'll have an enjoyable stay and a good night's rest following three days of filming in Nice and the long drive from the French Riviera to Milan.

Unfortunately, we arrived in Milan well after dark and completely exhausted, so there was no opportunity to wander around. We also had an early start the next day, so jumping into bed early was important.

As I stepped out of the van, I was impressed by the facade of the Excelsior Hotel. It's a rather unusual amalgamation of an Art-Deco era landmark and a modern glass and steel building designed by Marco Piva (also credited with the interior design of the hotel). You're not likely to find anything like this elsewhere, but I may be wrong.

Despite the "mixed personality" of the exterior, there's no confusion about the styling on the inside. The furnishing is remarkably tasteful with design choices so alluring that you could just sit and stare at the different features for hours.

As you would expect, the doormen were swift with helping with the luggage, and check-in was very pleasant and prompt. As I walked towards the elevator, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the staircase. I would have walked all the way up to the 6th floor (where my room was situated) if I wasn't exhausted from the journey to Milan. But I would have plenty of time to enjoy that staircase in the next two days (stair climbing is my favorite form of exercise).

Rooms

The Excelsior has a total of 235 rooms, including 53 suites exquisitely designed to match the city's haute couture reputation. Those who decide to spoil themselves have breathtaking suites to choose from. Some of these suites feature designs from renowned architects/ designers Giovanni Ponti and Achille Castiglioni. These include the Signature suites featuring up to three bedrooms.

If you're in the mood for the ultimate luxurious experience, you need to go with either the Gallia Presidential or the Katara Royal suite. The Gallia Presidential is a single bedroom, 1291sq feet suite with spacious dining and living areas and two bathrooms complete with an oversized tub, separate shower, bidet, and double vanities. Perfect for the traveling executive.

The Katara Royal is the penthouse suite. The hotel describes it as one of the most opulent in Italy boasting of a whopping 10,762sq ft of space. It offers a private elevator, sitting and dining areas finished in marble, furnished with B&B Italia furniture, and nicely complemented with a total of eight TVs.

The dining area has a panoramic view of the city you're sure to appreciate, but if you're still wondering if you're getting your money's worth, note that this suite also has a solarium with a whirlpool. There's a total of four bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms finished in marble. Also noteworthy is the presence of a butler to help with your needs.

I didn't stay at the Katara Royal, but my room, an Executive Suite, was very impressive. This was a great room to end the day after being on the road for hours. There was a large desk in a corner with a leather-wrapped work area to accommodate my laptop and the 24-inch monitor I travel with (laptop monitors are too small for my work). There was also a well-stocked mini bar above the desk that was nicely hidden away. The light fixtures had simple but elegant designs.

The room was at the corner of Via Luigi Galvani, and I could hear the trams go by a few minutes after settling in. I was a little concerned about this, but it turned out to be a soothing sound that helped me get a good night's rest. The bathroom, accessible via a spacious walk-in closet, was finished in tan marble and appeared to have more room than you'll ever need (not that I'm complaining). The heated floor was a great touch too.

Amenities

At some point, you'll want to experience some fine dining. You'll be happy to know that you can choose the Gallia Restaurant (breakfast only) or the rooftop Terrazza Gallia Bar & Restaurant for sumptuous Italian cuisine. The rooftop restaurant has brothers Vincenzo and Antonia Lebano as the chefs.

Hailing from the Campania region of Italy, a place well-known for excellent Italian cuisine, you're likely to have an unforgettable dining experience in the hands of the young culinary masters. This restaurant is in high demand, so be sure to book in advance to get a table.

If you simply need a drink or some aperitivo while meeting with friends or business partners, head over to the Gallia Lounge and Bar, which offers a warm and quiet environment. Like the rest of the hotel, it's also tastefully furnished and offers displays from luxury brands such as Panerai. The serene atmosphere will likely keep you seated longer than planned.

I met with some members of the crew here while we waited for our dinner reservation, and I could easily have spent the whole night there. Since we had canceled the Como trip scheduled for the next day, it didn't sound like a bad idea. However, I still needed an early night after a full day of filming, so I resisted the urge.

Wine enthusiasts have an additional option with a wine cellar available for tasting Italian and international wines with the guidance of the hotel's team of sommeliers. You can also book an exclusive dinner for four or cooking classes in the private room.

It's easy to get carried away with delicious pasta while in Milan, so you will appreciate the hotel's fitness center to prevent you from leaving Italy a lot heavier than when you arrived. If you choose not to take advantage of the Katara Royal suite, you could still spoil yourself at the Shiseido Spa Milan on the sixth and seventh floors.

The 1000-square-meter spa complements its top-notch spa treatment with a panoramic view of the city center. Golf lovers should also try out the virtual golf facility to practice their swings. With its alluring purple lighting, the indoor swimming pool is something you want to take advantage of for a relaxing evening swim or dip in the hot tub.

The last time I was in Milan, it was an afterthought. I came to Italy to drive a Formula Renault race car at Autodromo National di Monza (the Temple of Speed). I was perfectly happy to leave having Linate Airport as my only memory of Milan.

However, the film crew convinced me to visit the city instead of retiring to my tiny hotel room in Monza after a day at the track. I'll save that story for another day, but that brief visit inspired me to return to Milan for an encore. Staying at the Excelsior made this visit even more memorable. If you have any reason to visit Milan, be sure to put this hotel at the top of your list of places to stay.