In that uniquely Italian way, the Bulgari Milano is a space that isn’t styled so much as felt.
Morning espressos on the terrace. Reading under little tree-canopied garden rooms. Aperitivos that amble into dimly lit dinners. It is a place that requires you to really pause to take in your surroundings.
Set amidst 4,000-square-metres of verdant greenery between the Botanical Gardens of Brera and the old arts quarter of Milan, the once-convent marries the intimacy of a private residency with the elegance you might expect from the Bulgari.
The debut residence in the group’s nine-piece collection, soon to be 11 with two more properties opening in the Maldives and Turkey next year, the hotel is a rare jewel in the heart of the Italian Fashion Capital. The grounds, structures and furnishings feel like they have been designed and placed instinctively but with a real sense of permanence in mind. By day, thsee grounds form the perfect setting for an al fresco lunch with friends. By night, the hotel bars brim with the distinct vibrance of the Milanese social scene, filled with fashionable, international guests and locals.
The Vibe
The grounds and hotel exterior are a thoughtful extension of Milan’s modern tradition of urban forestry – a pioneering architectural precedent set by Milan’s Bosco Verticale (the vertical forest) at the start of the 21st century. In keeping with its organic surroundings, the concrete structure is enveloped in greenery. Groomed, but not overly manicured – trimmed box tree hedges, climbing ivy, palms, horse chestnuts and a grand sycamore tree frame the hotel façade.
Designed by landscape architect, Sophie Agata Ambroise, the property is interspersed with quintessentially Italian courtyards. Behind the restaurant, a raised lawn is cordoned into a series of outdoor rooms by small plane trees and foliage trimmed into umbrella-shaped canopies – all the more delightful in the early months of spring when white wisteria climbs these small trunks.
The Rooms
Soaring steel-framed windows fill each of the rooms with natural light, which has a particularly tranquil effect in the morning against the cream-linen walls. Structural elements create a moodier, more opulent canvas. Sleek black marble, travertine stone and Burmese teakwood form the backdrop of the contemporary Italian furnishings. Striking accent pieces – seductive seating and coffee tables – selected from Antonio Citterio’s Flexform Collection, Bulgari cashmere throws and colourful silk Susanis (antique rugs from Uzbekistan) bring a glossy, monochromatic setting to life. Walls are decorated with sketches of the Bulgari’s most iconic jewels, while larger suites feature a wider collection of paintings and design tomes.
The bathrooms feel equally elevated. White Navona travertine bathtubs are outfitted with Bulgari soaps and balms, the scents of which, for me, have become entirely synonymous with the city.
For those looking for something all-together exceptional, there is the Bulgari Suite. The expansive space designed exclusively by Italian architect, Flaviano Capriotti, is a grand and timeless Italian apartment. Complete with a kitchen, lounge, dining area, master suite, with the option to extend to a second bedroom. Each element is thoughtfully curated, from the bathtub – carved and craned in from a single piece of marble – to the Brera stone fireplace and library of art that adorns the walls. The suite has its own 194-square-metre private rooftop with sweeping views of the hotel gardens, the nearby Duomo and Milanese skyline. The property has 61 rooms and 13 suites in total, most overlooking the beautiful garden views, while others back on to a quieter Milanese courtyard.
The Food + Drink
With five unique settings in its repertoire – from the Bulgari Bar, to the Lounge, Il Giardino, to Il Ristorante-Niko Romito or Il Gazebo – the hotel has an impressive selection of options. There is perhaps no better place for an aperitivi in Milan than the Bulgari Milano, particularly in the summer months. Everyday, from 18:30 – 21:00, The Bulgari Bar presents the Bulgari aperitivo to be imbibed either in one of its outdoor dining spaces or at its opulent black oval bar.
Il Ristorante, created by the three-Michelin-starred Chef, Niko Romito – follows in the tradition of his Beijing, Dubai and Shanghai openings. Spending two years studying traditional techniques and ingredients, Romito is reinventing the canon of Italian cuisine with a modern take on classical Italian cooking. Alongside an excellently curated wine list, Romito’s specialities include recodified versions of the Italian classic Lasagna and veal Milanese.
The Spa
Like travelling back in time to an ancient Roman bath, a 12-metre gold mosaic pool forms the centrepiece of this quiet, underground sanctuary. Partnering with Augustinus Bader, the Bulgari Milano has a world-leading treatment menu. From bespoke Augustina Bader facials and body treatments to ayurvedic-inspired holistic treatments and advanced sapphire 3 ® light treatments, the spa offers a truly diverse array of options to unwind. Beyond the pool and treatments, the thermal facilities – including a vitality pool and steam room – make for a truly therapeutic spa experience.
The Little Extras
The evening turn-down service and sumptuously soft bedding – the room is exquisitely organised with low-lighting, slippers and neatly folded bedding are the ultimate welcome to your evening slumber. The 24-hour breakfast service, which presumably sees a marked uptick during fashion weeks. Personalised business cards, detailing your residency in Milan are an elegant touch. Homemade Italian sweet treats, freshly made each day, are left by coffee machine to enjoy with your morning (or afternoon) espresso.
The To-Do List
For venturing beyond the magnificent suites and grounds, we take our cues from some of Milan’s leading fashion insiders. Lucrezia Malavolta of Vogue Italia and Martina D’Amelio of IO Donna kindly lend us their intel on the best vintage shops, eateries and spots to party.
Beyond the exquisite grounds and rooms – for those equal parts fashion and foody – Vogue Italia’s Commerce Writer and Shopping Editor, Lucrezia Malavolta recommends Il Salumaio di Via Montenapoleone, “a historic restaurant set in a beautiful, traditional Milanese courtyard. Located in the very heart of the city, it’s simple yet elegant — perfect for business lunches.” Al Garghet, “without a doubt one of my favourite restaurants in Milan, slightly outside the city centre. A unique setting, with simple yet impeccable cuisine — an absolute must-visit!”
For shopping, flock to Cavalli e Nastri, “an iconic Milanese boutique and a must-visit shopping destination for those who love luxury vintage”…say less. For more vintage shopping, Martina D’Amelio of IO Donna recommends Madame Pauline Vintage, Mania and Mela Vintage.
To eat, D’Amelio warmly recommends N’Ombra de Vin and Da Giacomo – Rosticceria for the day and the Bistrot for the night. For something altogether new, exciting and distinctly ‘of the scene’ – she recommends starting your night at Onda a chic listening bar win an excellent cocktail menu. To party, head to Minerale for a wonderful wine and atmosphere or Bar Basso, where the Negroni sbagliato was invented (swapping the gin for prosecco) – the ideal spot to trial every Italian variation of a spritz.
All image credit: Bulgari Milano
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