Milan's Opulent Side: Luxury Weekend in Italy's Fashion & Design Capital

While Milan offers numerous luxury hotels, discerning travelers understand that true opulence lies in properties that balance grandeur with intimate attention to detail. For this weekend escape, I selected the Bulgari Hotel Milano, nestled within an 18th-century Milanese palazzo in the cultural Brera district. The property exemplifies the understated elegance that defines the Bulgari aesthetic—minimalist interiors punctuated by sumptuous materials and meticulous craftsmanship.

My corner suite overlooked the hotel's private garden, a rare sanctuary in Milan's urban landscape. The bathroom's black Zimbabwe marble created a striking contrast against the cream Italian linens, while the custom-blended toiletries incorporated subtle notes of green tea—the same signature scent that perfumes the hotel's public spaces.

For those seeking a more classically Italian experience, Hotel Principe di Savoia delivers old-world Milanese glamour with its hand-painted frescoes and opulent fabrics. Their Presidential Suite features one of Milan's most impressive private terraces, though the hotel's true gem is the Club 10 Fitness and Beauty Center on the top floor, where I indulged in an ayurvedic massage that incorporated principles remarkably similar to those I discovered during my transformative journey through Kerala.

I recommend packing a silk sleep mask for your journey. The pure mulberry silk helps prevent sleep creases and protects delicate skin while adjusting to the new time zone—a small luxury that enhances the quality of your rest after transatlantic flights.

While most visitors to Milan make the obligatory pilgrimage to the famous fashion quadrilateral, few venture beyond the flagship boutiques of Via Montenapoleone. As someone who has worked with luxury fashion houses on intellectual property matters, I've developed an appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the brand names, and Milan offers unparalleled access to this world of artisanal excellence.

Begin your fashion exploration at Larusmiani, Milan's oldest menswear boutique and textile merchant. Even if you're not shopping for menswear, their fabric library is a sensorial education in Italian textile innovation. The store's second floor houses an appointment-only archive of vintage fabrics that have inspired collections for major fashion houses—a resource typically only available to industry professionals.

For women's ready-to-wear that transcends fleeting trends, bypass the tourist-filled flagships for Antonia on Via Cusani. This concept store features thoughtfully curated pieces from established designers alongside emerging talents. The store's visual merchandising tells a cohesive story each season, creating dialogue between seemingly disparate design aesthetics.

My most treasured Milan shopping ritual, however, is visiting the workshops of artisans who supply the major fashion houses. Rivolta Carmignani has been producing fine linens since 1867, and their appointment-only showroom displays table linens, bedding, and bath textiles of extraordinary quality. Similarly, Sergio Rossi's made-to-measure shoe service offers an intimate glimpse into the construction techniques that define Italian footwear excellence.

For protecting your luxury purchases while traveling, I never leave home without my garment storage bags. These breathable, water-resistant bags have preserved countless delicate pieces during my journeys between fashion capitals.

My personal wellness journey began in Kerala three years ago during a period of professional burnout, and discovering ayurvedic principles transformed my approach to both travel and daily life. Surprisingly, Milan—a city more commonly associated with aperitivo culture than wellness retreats—offers several exceptional ayurvedic experiences that have become anchors in my itinerary.

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Milano, housed within a converted 15th-century convent, offers an ayurvedic consultation with their resident doctor who creates a personalized treatment plan based on your dosha (body constitution). Their Abhyanga massage incorporates warm herbal oils selected specifically for your dosha type—I've found the pitta-balancing treatment particularly restorative after long flights.

For a more intensive experience, Ayurvedic Retreat Milano in the Porta Venezia district provides authentic treatments performed by practitioners trained in Kerala. Their Shirodhara treatment—where warm oil is poured in a steady stream onto the forehead—induces a meditative state that counterbalances the sensory stimulation of Milan's urban environment.

Between fashion appointments, I often visit Joia, Italy's first vegetarian restaurant to receive a Michelin star. Chef Pietro Leemann creates plant-based cuisine that aligns with ayurvedic principles without sacrificing culinary innovation. His tasting menu incorporates seasonal ingredients that support balance across all doshas.

To maintain my ayurvedic practices while traveling, I always pack my copper tongue scraper. This simple tool is essential to my morning routine for removing ama (toxins) that accumulate overnight—a practice that feels especially important when adjusting to new environments and cuisines.

While Milan's iconic Duomo rightfully commands attention, the city harbors architectural masterpieces that reveal its complex identity as a center for both preservation and innovation. As someone drawn to the intellectual aspects of design, I find Milan's architectural contrasts particularly fascinating.

Begin with Villa Necchi Campiglio, a triumph of Italian rationalist design preserved as a house museum. This 1930s villa, featured in the film I Am Love, belonged to the Necchi family, prominent industrialists whose home showcased cutting-edge technology alongside traditional craftsmanship. The villa's gardens offer a serene retreat from urban energy, while the interior provides insight into Milan's pre-war affluence. Reserve tickets online as entry is strictly limited.

For contemporary architectural pilgrims, Fondazione Prada presents Rem Koolhaas's transformation of a former distillery into a complex that houses both exhibition spaces and permanent installations. The gold-leaf clad 'Haunted House' building creates a striking juxtaposition against industrial structures. Don't miss the on-site Bar Luce, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson to evoke a traditional Milanese café with his signature symmetrical aesthetic.

Perhaps my most treasured architectural discovery in Milan is the Albergo Diurno Venezia, an underground day spa from the 1920s that once served train travelers. Recently restored and open for limited guided tours, this art deco gem features original mosaics, barber stations, and bathing facilities that epitomize the era's glamour. The space speaks to Milan's historical position as a nexus between Italian tradition and European modernism.

For architectural exploration, comfortable footwear is essential. My walking flats have accompanied me through countless design pilgrimages. Made from recycled plastic bottles, they combine sustainability with style—proving that ethical luxury is achievable even in practical travel essentials.

Milan's culinary identity has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent years, transcending traditional Lombard cuisine to embrace both innovation and sustainability. For the luxury traveler seeking authentic gastronomic experiences, the city offers refined dining that balances heritage with contemporary sensibilities.

For your first evening, secure a reservation at Enrico Bartolini al Mudec, housed within the Museum of Cultures. Bartolini's three-Michelin-starred cuisine presents Italian classics deconstructed and reimagined through a contemporary lens. The 'Contaminazioni' tasting menu weaves global influences into Italian tradition—reflecting Milan's historical position as a crossroads of cultures. Request the table overlooking the internal garden for the most intimate experience.

The following morning, bypass tourist cafés for Pasticceria Marchesi 1824, now owned by the Prada Group but maintaining its historic integrity. Their pistachio croissants pair perfectly with a precisely crafted cappuccino. The location on Via Monte Napoleone offers excellent people-watching during fashion weeks, when industry insiders gather for morning meetings.

For lunch, Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia represents Milan's culinary heritage with two Michelin stars and over fifty years of history. Their signature saffron risotto elevates this Milanese classic through exceptional ingredient sourcing—the saffron comes from a small producer in Abruzzo who harvests by hand during the brief autumn season.

My personal ritual involves an afternoon visit to Cioccolati Italiani near the Brera district, where the house-made pistachio spread rivals any I've encountered globally. Their commitment to ethical sourcing aligns with my post-Kerala emphasis on consumption that honors both producers and traditions.

To document these culinary experiences, I rely on my compact camera. Its exceptional low-light performance captures the artistry of plated dishes without disrupting the dining atmosphere—an important consideration in Milan's refined establishments.