Hotel of the Week: A 1960s Icon Is Reborn in Milan

As the fashion and finance capital of Italy, Milan is well-known for its sumptuous, often design-led hotels. There is a new entry into the luxurious mix with the November opening of The Carlton Milan—the latest jewel in the crown of family-run Rocco Forte Hotels. Launched in 1996, the existing portfolio of 15 iconic properties includes the Hotel de Russie in Rome, Sicily’s Villa Igiea, and Brown’s Hotel in London; The Carlton promises to add even more glamour to the city’s Quadrilatero della Moda shopping district.  

Set on the vibrant Via della Spiga—with another discreet entrance on Via Senato—the hotel is comprised of 71 thoughtfully curated rooms and suites that have been overseen by Deputy Chairman and Director of Design, Olga Polizzi, and with interior design by Philip Vergeylen and Paolo Moschino. “I like working with Paolo and Phillip; we learn from each other,” says Polizzi of their long-standing partnership. “They believe, like I do, that every job is slightly different, and that every hotel has its own character.”

The results of their combined efforts are elegant spaces with a residential feel that provide a cinematic respite from the bustling city beyond.  

At The Carlton, a sky-lit winter garden sits as the heart of the hotel, with rich velvet banquettes in deep green hues reflective of the hanging plants above. A verdant terrace promises to be a hub for stylish Milanese and guests alike in the warmer months, with casual lunches and aperitivo savored outdoors. Extensive drink and dining offerings have been overseen by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini—Creative Director of Food for Rocco Forte Hotels—with a strong focus on classics with a twist at Spiga restaurant and lighter fare at Caffè Floretta. The convivial Carlton Bar offers another see-and-be-seen meeting spot just steps from the iconic Duomo. 

Art-filled rooms range from courtyard-facing Superior Rooms in muted shades of cream and burgundy to more spacious Deluxe Rooms featuring architectural drawings and bespoke furnishings that reference the city’s deep cultural history.  Junior Suites in warm hues overlook Via Senato with terraced options offering stunning views of the cathedral’s Gothic façade. Superior and Deluxe Suites feature light-filled living rooms with midcentury-inspired custom furnishings in jewel-toned fabrics.

Of special note are the sprawling Forte Suites—the Manzoni, the Senato, and the Galleria—with multiple terraces that are perfect for al fresco entertaining. Rich marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and walk-in showers throughout room categories add to any cosseting stay. 

Other unexpected touches include a fragrant flower shop upon entry where guests can take bouquets for the room or as gifts, a serene Irene Forte Spa with nature-inspired treatments, wet areas, and a state-of-the-art fitness center—and all within easy distance of the striking Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Teatro La Scala, and the shops of Milan’s most storied fashion houses. Just in time for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, The Carlton promises to be the city’s most stylish, la dolce vita address. 

“Every hotel is special for us, but the Carlton is particularly exciting as it opens in a city that is emerging as one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan in Europe,” says Polizzi. “We were also fortunate that the original building wasn’t particularly distinguished, so we had the freedom to create something entirely new.” Prepare to wowed…