A fresh, crisp breeze wanders its way through the descending droplets of rain to my balcony that overlooks Milan’s uber-fashionable district of Quadrilatero della Moda. As a resident of the desert, the inclement weather is rather refreshing as I take in the views of the surrounding neoclassical buildings that are being pelted by this latest downpour. A glass of Champagne in one hand and an Armani/Dolci chocolate in the other, I believe that I have found my own definition of La Dolce Vita.

I am in an elegant Armani Deluxe Suite with Balcony in the unquestionably stylish Armani Hotel Milano. Spread out over 68 square metres, this tranquil haven offers a glimpse into the creative mind of the legendary Giorgio Armani who designed every nook and cranny of the 95-key property; a former palazzo that was originally imagined by Enrico A. Griffini. Divided into three sections—a living room, bedroom and bathroom—greige dominates the colour palette with healthy touches of pearl, silver and honeycomb. Privacy abounds here, with a small antechamber greeting guests upon arrival at the suite, allowing hotel staff to drop off deliveries without disturbing guests.

It’s all very minimalistic, with in-room iPads controlling all aspects of the suite like lighting, curtains, temperature and the TVs, eliminating the need for phones and the usual game of hide and seek with the missing TV remote. In the living room, where one can access the aforementioned French balcony, there is a desk from where I shoot off last-minute copy and emails, an indulgently comfortable cream linear sofa that faces a large HD TV screen and a deep-brown coffee table that displays a feast of welcome amenities that are replenished every day.

The bedroom continues the uncluttered theme with a generously-sized bed adorned with dreamily-soft bed linen and pillows, and watched over by a backlit wooden bedhead. There’s also a plush one-armed lady’s chair that has been plucked from Armani/Casa—Armani’s luxury homewares and interior design brand—like all the furnishings found throughout the hotel.  

The marble bathroom is the highlight of the suite. Structured for the use of two people, there is a rainfall shower, bathtub and double vanity sinks that are complemented by a plethora of luxurious Armani/Privé amenities. Fluffy towels and dressing gowns emblazoned with the Armani logo hang from heated bars and add pops of white against the honeycomb walls and floors.

Whenever I have had my fill of lazily lounging around my dapper abode on the fourth floor, I head to the seventh and eighth floors for entertainment in the interestingly named ‘glass hat’ that affords incredible panoramas of the city including the famed Duomo and the latest sky-scraping mega-structures in Porta Nuova. For gourmands, start and end your days in the refined surrounds of Armani/Ristorante. Italian gastronomy with an international twist takes centre stage here alongside floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the polished venue in natural light as well as showcasing vistas of Milan’s skyline. With a concept of seasonality underpinning the menu’s dishes, guests will experience new flavours every season with the wide selection of wines making for perfect accompaniments for every plate. Across the landing sits Armani/Bamboo Bar, the ideal location for those seeking a laidback lunch or a post work get-together.

On floor eight, I discover the blissful Armani/Spa. Sprawling over 1,000 square metres, it’s all about beauty, peace and quiet here with six treatment rooms, steam and sauna experiences, a relaxation pool and a gym which features a Kinesis Wall and an opportunity to enjoy a personal fitness session. I choose a sleep-inducing massage over the weights this time around.

Make sure to explore the surrounding neighbourhood, which sports some of the biggest fashion names on the planet including the Giorgio Armani Milano boutique. La Scala Opera House is only a five-minute stroll away with the Duomo a leisurely 10-minute walk from the property’s front door. The hotel is also perfectly located for a visit to the buzzing area of Brera that hums to the beat of bustling cafes and bars, packed with cool bohemians, aperitif aficionados and those looking to sit back and just watch the world go by. And for those craving exceptional Japanese cuisine, the hotel is connected to the ever-excellent Nobu Milan.

The second property under the portfolio of Armani Hotels & Resorts, Armani Hotel Milano welcomes guests to immerse themselves into the world of Giorgio Armani’s style and philosophy. A home-away-from-home, guests can experience a world of harmony and luxury while enjoying the utmost privacy as they live the getaway they truly desire. With that being said, I think it’s time for another slice of La Dolce Vita, sprinkled with Champagne and those Armani/Dolci chocolates. Ciao!

Armanihotels.com