My stay at the Westin Milan was to be the luxury celebration to a month in Italy so I redeemed points for the weekend stay at the posh hotel.  After a month of mixed lodging from boutique hotels in Naples, a B&B in Sorrento and Venice to my amazing canal view Airbnb in Venice, I wanted to end in a Heavenly Bed at the Westin Milan.  I love the Westin brand of Marriott  – the Heavenly Bed & Bath and the overall sense of wellness that the brand evokes and lives by.  The Westin Milan would manage to join my short list of “hotels I didn’t want to leave”.  I almost succeeded if not for a pre-booked Milan Last Supper and City Walking tour with Walks of Italy on Saturday.  Not only was I wearing my exhaustion on my face from the crazy busy days walking the Expo pavilions but my feet had finally given out after the walking tour.  My intent was to fall into the plush bed and order room service Saturday night (yeah, I’m fun like that) which extended to Sunday. Opting to luxuriate in the hotel spa with two treatments – facial and massage, I enjoyed a lazy Sunday in luxury.  Even in a different language, the hotel was an oasis in the city for me and a wonderful way to say “Ciao to Italy”.

Westin Milan Location

Set a bit back from the main thoroughfare, the hotel has a small green space across from the circular driveway.  At the corner of the street is a subway entrance and across the street is a bus stop.  I was able to walk a few blocks to the supermarket, pharmacy (where contact solution is sold and no one speaks English – bring your bottle to show and tell) and a further stroll down the main road in to the center of Milan – the Duomo.  There is a STK across the street if you want a modern steakhouse experience.

Westin Palace Milan Arrival

I arrived by taxi in the morning from my Airbnb Navigli studio rental in the entertainment district.  I was welcomed from the taxi and my bags magically disappeared as the bellman escorted me to the front desk.  The young woman checking me in acknowledge my (then) SPG Gold status and explained my choices at the hotel – I always take the points – always the points.  There was a special at the spa which I sort of listened to but not really until she said “gold members get a discount of x” and my tired feed and body were kicking my mind into active listening.  Once check in was sorted, I was given my room keys which surprised me this early.  I expected to pre-check in and come back later after 3pm for my room but it was ready now and so was I.

Westin Milan Lobby

The lobby is a throwback to older, historic, luxury hotels in my opinion – marble, dark woods and gold accents.  It definitely had the feel of luxury Italian hotel and not that of a normally modern Westin.  There was a bar area as well as dining room off to either side of the lobby.

My King Room

When I entered the room, I saw the window with a view of the street below and the modern buildings in the distance of the city.  I immediately noticed the blue hues and warm feeling of the room – it was just pretty.  I don’t get to say that my room is pretty very often but it felt sumptuous with the bedding and décor.

There was room to move and the King Bed, a very welcome sight after three nights sleeping on an Airbnb futon (I really did experience it all on this Italy trip).  My first instinct was to fall into the bed so I did and just like other Heavenly Beds it was very hard to leave the enveloping comfort.

The hotel had already delivered my big box from Naples.  I had shipped extra clothes and shoes from Naples, my first stop in Italy three weeks prior, to my last stop in Italy to lessen my luggage weight along the way as I traveled to Sorrento, Florence and Venice.  I was packed for my three month sabbatical which started on the cruise and lugging my bags on/off trains, ferries and busses was not ideal hence the shipping box staring at me on the floor.

Westin Milan Room Service

I was exhausted with pain in my feet that I had never experienced before so room service was ideal – I was ready to be pampered and fill up on (bad for me) oh so good food and wine (i.e. the hotel burger, lots of bacon, fries, dessert and wine).

Breakfast at the Westin Milan

The breakfast service in the restaurant was slow if, like me, you need to do ala carte breakfast and not the buffet. If you are opting for the buffet then have at it – your plate is on the table and you can get going as soon as you are seated. But for me, I always have the sad plate of food that cost as much as the buffet.  I had a problem during breakfast that was immediately addressed by management on site which impressed me.

Italian Breakfast Option – CaffeLatte

The hotel has a quick breakfast option available in the lobby bar area.  Since ala carte juice cost €9, the italian breakfast option at €12 seems a steal as it includes coffee/cappuccino, espresso, fresh juice and italian pastries.  In terms of healthy, just remember to walk (a lot) because you will be indulging in (too) many delicious carbs.

The Westin Milan Spa [comfort zone]

I literally never walked outside on a gloomy Sunday.  I went to the restaurant for breakfast, back to my room to read and then to the [comfort zone] spa for two treatments.  It was a lovely way to spend the day.  There are definite differences in how spa treatments are done in the U.S. and Italy, so it was interesting to experience the treatments.  A sore knotted back doesn’t need language translation.  You can read my Westin Milan Spa Review for detailed visit.

Overall – Westin Milan Palace

The staff was definitely wonderful during my stay, including the concierge team who attempted to help me find contact solution (only sold at the Pharmacy or Eye Doctor and it was the weekend).  The room was fantastic and I could see myself returning just to stay in the hotel and not leave.  It was a restorative stay in luxury that I definitely needed to reboot and refresh before my adventure in Malta.