SD › Italy › Milan › Hotels › Senato Review
Updated: April 27, 2022
By Santorini Dave
Essentials
• Location: Via Senato, on the edge of the Quadrilatero d’Oro fashion district.
• Hotel website: senatohotelmilano.it
• Hotel phone: +39 02 781 236
• Check prices for Senato
Close to some of Milan’s best shopping, the Senato features minimalist but comfortable rooms with gorgeous marble bathrooms.
Senato – A monochrome and art-deco inspired hotel that is a fusion of slick, quirky, and cozy.
For serious shoppers, there can be few more perfectly placed hotels than Senato: it’s situated moments from the Quadrilatero d’Oro, where all the most prestigious fashion brands in the world have their stores (also known as the Montenapoleone). But this family-run hotel is far more than just a crash pad in a fancy location; the Senato is independent and proud and the owners genuinely want to make guests feel relaxed in what was their former family home. It all feels very Milanese, perhaps because the flower arrangements, architecture, wine list, interiors, music, menus, and metalwork were all curated or crafted by local experts. Bedrooms are kept minimalist and simple in bright whites and gray marble, perfect for regrouping after a hard day’s shopping.
See Also
- Best Hotels in Milan
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Senato – Location
- Address: Via Senato 22.
- Nearest Metro: The hotel is surrounded by Metro stations: Montenapoleone (0.3 mile) and Turati (0.3 mile), are both equidistant and on the M3 (yellow) line, while Palestro (0.4 mile) and San Babila (0.4 mile) are on the M1 (red) line, making it easy to connect to Central Station or Milano Cadorna (for the airport express).
- Area: Prime location on the edge of the Quadrilatero d’Oro fashion district and 1 metro station (or a short walk) away from the Duomo. In between 4 Metro stations and close to the beautiful public gardens.
- How to Get There: From Malpensa airport, it’s around 50 minutes (32 miles) by taxi. On public transport, get the express train to Milano Cadorna station, then the M1 Metro 4 stops to San Babila, from where it’s a 7-minute walk (0.4 mile) or short taxi ride to the hotel.
- Handy to: The Quadrilatero d’Oro fashion district is a 7-minute walk (0.3 mile), while La Scala opera house is a 10-minute walk (0.5 mile) away.
Senato – The Basics
- Ages: Visitors tend to be on business or on a city break. Children are welcome, although there are no specific amenities for them.
- View: The Duomo Junior Suite and some of the rooms on the upper levels have views of the Duomo.
- Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Jacuzzis in the suites.
- Parking: Valet parking (€40/day) or at a nearby public car park (€29/day).
- Extras: Guests are given access to the PressReader app that offers a huge selection of international magazines and newspapers. Small pets are accommodated.
- When to Book: Reserve as far ahead as possible if you’re coming during fashion or design weeks (February, April, or September).
- How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
- Phone: +39 02 781 236
- Email: info@senatohotelmilano.it
- Website: senatohotelmilano.it
Senato – Amenities
- Pool: No pool.
- Spa: No spa. In-room treatments can be arranged.
- Fitness Center: Small but well-equipped gym, open 24hrs.
- Laundry: Hotel laundry next-day service (extra charge).
- For Disabled Guests: Several superior rooms are fully accessible for wheelchairs.
- For Families: The hotel can accommodate small families, provide cribs or extra beds (extra charge), and is able to make child-friendly meals.
- Activities: The concierge can arrange many tours. Specialty tours include the Franciacorta wine region and Da Vinci’s Last Supper.
- Other Facilities: Lots of nooks and crannies for guests to use to relax or work outside their rooms: a small garden with patio for al fresco dining, a designer roof garden, booths in corridors, and a lounge with a quirky sofa and classic movies projected onto the wall.
Senato – Food and Drink
- Restaurant: The food at the Senato Café is “curated” by a food writer, rather than a chef, based on the finest artisanal Italian ingredients, with an excellent selection for vegetarians and vegans. Lombard wines feature heavily on the wine list. The full menu is available 7 am-12 am.
- Lounge/Bar: The bar has a great aperitivo menu featuring five house cocktails and specialty gin and tonics using only Italian gins. However, the restaurant specializes in Franciacorta, Italy’s answer to Champagne. Their extensive Franciacorta list showcases the locally-made artisanal wine; they have good links to the producers and can arrange tours of the vineyards. Open the same hours as the restaurant.
- Breakfast: Breakfast can be included in the booking for €19 extra. A simple breakfast menu that puts top-notch ingredients front and center in a sweet and savory buffet. Offered indoors or outside on the patio 7-10:30 am.
- Room Service: An edited version of the Senato Caffè menu (and bar menu) is available 24 hours.
Senato – Rooms
- Room Types: Classic Single/Double/Twin • Terrace Room with bathtub and balcony overlooking the inner courtyard • Superior Double/Twin Room/Triple • Duomo Junior Suite • Senato Junior Suite • List of all Rooms
- Smoking Rooms: The Senato is 100% smoke-free.
- Best Room: Junior Suites are the best rooms but they differ slightly, so it’s worth assessing which best meets your needs. Each suite includes complimentary use of a coffee machine, minibar, OVO amplifier for iPhones, and second TV in the living area. All benefit from private terraces, separate toilets, double vanities, and jacuzzis. The Duomo Junior Suite has views of the Duomo’s spires, while the Senato Junior is larger.
- For Families: Some Superior rooms can accommodate an extra bed, but there are no interconnecting rooms.
Senato – Local Transport
- Walking: Milan’s center is surprisingly walkable. Most sights, including the Quadrilatero d’Oro, Duomo, and Sforza Castle are within a 20-minute walk. Within 35 minutes (2 miles), you can be in the Navigli Canal district, where much of the city’s nightlife is.
- Metro and Bus: Milan’s Metro is very easy to navigate, with just 5 lines. The hotel is nearest to Montenapoleone (0.3 mile) and Turati (0.3 mile) stations, both on the M3 (yellow) line, which runs northwest-southeast. There are a good tram system and an excellent network of shared transport systems, including electric bikes, scooters, mopeds, and even cars that only need quick signup in an app.
- Taxis, Uber, Lyft: City taxis are white and can be hailed from the street. Ubers are widely available.
Senato – What’s Nearby?
Recommended Nearby Tours
- Fashion Tour – A well-established outfit (pun intended) with a mission to help you understand this fashion-obsessed town. The same company also runs perfume tours and offers personal shopping services. The classic tour starts in Via Montenapoleone. (0.3 mile).
- Segway Tours – You’ll see lots of people whizzing around on Segway tours; they allow you to cover more ground. Both Italy Segway Tours and Milan Segway Tours are equally reputable and offer alternatives such as night tours or canal tours. The meeting points for both companies are in Brera. (0.6 mile).
- Free Walking Tour – Look out for the yellow umbrella in front of the Museo del Novecento (just by the Duomo) at 10 am every morning. An excellent free walking tour that takes in most of the main sights in 2-3 hours. It’s best to reserve your place online. (0.8 mile).
Best Nearby Restaurants
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Many Milanese restaurants have good-value set menus for lunch. Dinner doesn’t usually start until at least 8 pm; go for an aperitivo first.
- Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone – Prestigious deli-restaurant that has fed well-heeled shoppers in the Quad since 1957. (0.3 mile).
- LuBar – Great stop in the Giardini Pubblici, open all day (8 am-midnight). Elegant, yet casual cafe-restaurant, specializing in arancini (fried risotto balls). (0.3 mile).
- Corsia del Giardino – Simple but elegant cafe – think high-class burgers and club sandwiches – tucked into a courtyard in the Quad. (0.3 mile).
- Seta – Outstanding Michelin 2-star contemporary Italian restaurant from Chef Antonio Guida in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Book ahead. Strict dress code. (0.4 mile).
- Pasticceria Sant-Ambroeus – Refined and opulent patisserie-bar-restaurant. (0.5 mile).
- A Santa Lucia – Classic restaurant from the 1930s, filled with photos of celebrities who have dined here, including many a Hollywood legend. (0.5 mile).
Best Nearby Cafes
- Pasticceria Cova – Another classic Milanese patisserie, opened in 1817, now owned by one of the big fashion houses – Louis Vuitton. Superb breakfasts and lunches. (0.3 mile).
- Pasticceria Marchesi – Historic patisserie, now owned by Prada. The original 1824 store is on Via Santa Maria della Porta, west of the Duomo, but there are other outposts, including above the Prada store in the Galleria (0.7 mile), or close to Senato on Via Montenapoleone, a 6-minute walk (0.3 mile) from the hotel.
- Chic & Go – Budget-friendly freshly made gourmet sandwiches and soups in a tiny Quad cafe. (0.4 mile).
Best Nearby Bars and Breweries
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If you’re in Milan for the big brands, where better to relax than at one of the fashion houses’ own bars?
- Swiss Corner – Good cocktails, outdoor seating, and excellent happy hour. (0.2 mile).
- Armani Bamboo Bar – There’s nowhere better to drink when shopping than at the Armani Hotel. Classy, cool, and spacious, with views over the Quad towards the Duomo. (0.2 mile).
- Martini – It’s all about brands collaborating in this Martini x D&G effort with a stylish bar and bistro. (0.3 mile).
- Mandarin Oriental Bar – As hotel bars go, this one is pretty sumptuous, wedged between the Quad and Brera. (0.4 mile).
- N’Ombra de Vin – Historic wine cellar that has served everyone from Mozart to Napoleon over the years. One of Milan’s favorite restaurant-bars, specializing in rare wines and cured meats. (0.5 mile).
- Il Bar – The bar at the Bulgari Hotel offers an intimidatingly huge list of wines, liquors, and cocktails. Try to get a seat in the sublime garden. (0.5 mile).
- Kilburn Cocktail Bar – If you’re willing to head a little further away, the Porta Nuova area, across the Giardini Pubblici, has some fantastic bars like this one. (0.7 mile).
Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops
- Matia’s Fashion Outlet/DMAG – If you’re dismayed by designer prices, but can’t get out to one of the outlet villages, it might be worth seeking out one of the many outlet stores in town. Matia’s and DMAG each have several convenient central locations.
- Pellini – Famous and fabulous costume jewelry. (0.3 mile).
- Quadrilatero d’Oro – The ‘golden quad’ refers to the 4 streets – Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Corso Venezia, and Via della Spiga – that bound some of the best designer shopping in the world. Everyone who’s anyone has a store here. (0.3 mile).
- Libreria Internazionale Hoepli – Big bookstore with a great selection of books in English and other languages. (0.5 mile).
- Il Cirmolo – Vintage and retro curio emporium. An excellent selection of Disney collectibles, especially. (0.6 mile).
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – As far as Milanese experiences go, strolling through the Galleria, which runs between La Scala and the Duomo, is a must. Find the worn spot in the mosaic floor where Italians spin around for good luck. Visit eminent Italian designers, have a pastry and an espresso at Pasticceria Marchesi (above Prada) or an aperitivo at Camparino, and simply soak in one of the world’s oldest malls. (0.6 mile).
- Borsalino – Make like Humphrey Bogart and head for this luxury hat-maker, whose name has long been shorthand for a felt fedora. (0.6 mile).
Nearby Attractions
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Milan’s museums have variable opening hours throughout the week and many will have reduced rates or free entry on certain days; it’s always worth checking their websites before heading out. It’s also a great idea to buy a Milano Card, starting at just €11 for unlimited access to some of the city’s top museums and attractions, as well as public transport.
- Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli – Public park full of well-dressed Milanese taking a break from shopping, just north of the Quadrilatero d’Oro. A delightful way to spend the afternoon. (0.2 mile).
- Piazza della Scala – One of central Milan’s main squares, with a statue of Leonardo da Vinci and several sights of note: the Scala opera house and museum, one of the entrances to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade (see shopping section), the important Gallerie d’Italia art gallery, and the tourist information office. (0.5 mile).
- Teatro alla Scala – The world’s most famous opera house, set in a beautiful plaza. If you can’t see a show, go on a tour via the adjacent museum. (0.5 mile).
- Gallerie d’Italia – In a historic stately home. Some of the best 19th-century Lombardian art, including by ground-breaking futurist Umberto Boccioni. Closed on Mondays, and open until 10:30 pm on Thursdays. (0.5 mile).
- Pinacoteca di Brera – Set in the traditional artists’ quarter of Brera in the 17th-century Palazzo Brera. Houses some of Italy’s most important works, including Rafael’s The Marriage of the Virgin. Closed Mondays. (0.5 mile).
- Piazza del Duomo – The city’s main square, which features many of the main sights: the cathedral (Duomo), Museo del Novecento (modern art museum), Palazzo Real (Royal Palace), Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (see shopping section above), and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the prime shopping thoroughfares which leads to the Quadrilatero d’Oro. (0.7 mile).
- Duomo – Gothic cathedral whose construction started in 1386. Love it or loathe it, the cathedral is the heart of the city. The incredible views from the top over Milan, and as far as the Alps on clear days, are unmissable. (0.7 mile).
- Museo del Novecento – A huge collection of 20th-century Italian art, featuring a Guggenheim-like spiral ramp with great views over the main square and the Duomo. (0.8 mile).
- Palazzo Reale – Tour the royal palace to get to grips with the various rulers of this part of Italy, which has been held by the Spanish, French, Viscontis, Sforzas, Habsburgs, and others. (0.8 mile).
- Parco Sempione – A wonderful park that houses the Sforza Castle, Peace Arch (Arco della Pace), rolling gardens set around lakes, Triennale design museum, a cool viewing tower, and some great al fresco cafes and bars. (0.8 mile).
- Castello Sforzesco – Dramatic fort at the top of Via Dante, leading to Parco Sempione. Built by the all-powerful Visconti (later Sforza) family in the 1360s, it now houses several museums, including cool stuff for kids. Closed Mondays. (0.8 mile).
- The Last Supper at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie – One of Milan’s biggest draws. Book months ahead if you want to go as an individual or use a tour company like City Sightseeing, whose ticket price includes access to hop on-hop off bus tours. (1.5 miles).
Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores
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Milan has around 100 specialty/local markets.
- Carrefour Express – Several outlets dotted around the city. The closest one isn’t far from the hotel. (0.4 mile).
Senato Hotel Milano – The Hotel
This grand old family home was refurbished as a hotel in 2015. The exterior gives away Senato’s color palette of white, black, green, and gold.
View of the lobby. The hotel is set around a large courtyard and offers guests lots of spaces to relax or work.
The central courtyard’s shallow mirror pool has been used for fashion shows among other events. Terrace Rooms have balconies overlooking the pool.
Corridors at the Senato are narrow and minimalist, elongated with monochrome stripes…
…or cluttered – in a good way – with homey artistic flourishes.
The Chester Lounge not only features a very unusual Chesterfield sofa, but also a projector showing classic movies usually featuring Milan.
Behind the Lounge is the Senato Caffe and Bar which is always decorated with artistic, often quirky, bespoke floral arrangements.
The restaurant’s inventive seasonal dishes might include wafer-thin bresaola, a power food bowl with raspberries and edamame, octopus with fresh herb pesto, or mango lassi with pistachio.
Senato Caffè spills out onto the compact but peaceful garden.
Diners face the verdant back wall which has loungers and an actual ginkgo tree.
If you prefer a view, try the roof terrace, known as the Solarium, where you can order drinks or food via a telephone.
Back down in the basement is the petit but perfectly formed gym with the most popular machines as well as mat-based equipment.
All rooms are in neutral and wooden tones.
Even the smallest rooms have comfy chairs and space to work.
Bathrooms, meanwhile, are modern in slick grey marble with own-brand toiletries.
This Superior Triple has a sofa bed and is wheelchair-accessible. All rooms come with a kettle, refreshments, and a minibar as standard.
Superior rooms are more spacious than the Classics.
The Junior Suites have interesting vaulted ceilings, befitting top-floor rooms.
All suites have double vanity areas in the bathrooms along with bathtubs.
All that separates the Senato from some of the best shopping in the world in the Quadrilatero d’Oro is this beautiful section of the medieval city wall.
Walk down any of the Quad’s streets and you’ll find chic shoppers looking for big brands. Via Montenapoleone has many of the giants of Italian fashion.
Hard to miss as it takes up much of a block on Via Manzoni, the Armani Hotel is a good landmark both for its excellent restaurant and bar, as well as it being right next to the Montenapoleone Metro station.
Tucked down a passageway from Via Manzoni, the Corsia del Giardino is a tasteful spot to avoid the crowds.
Chic & Go’s USP is simple: gourmet panini. It works.
The Montenapoleone outpost of the historic Marchesi patisserie is every bit as elegant and delicious as the original in Via Santa Maria alla Porta.
A block from Marchesi is Cova, which has stood here since 1817. Perfect for afternoon tea while shopping.
Just around the corner from Cova is the world-famous hat maker Borsalino.
To the east of the Quad is the neighborhood of San Babila. Not only is there a Metro station here, but the curved street leading off to the left of the picture, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, is also great for shopping and leads to the Duomo.
Just off the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, see how many celebrities you can name on the walls of A Santa Lucia which serves traditional food in charming surroundings.
Sant Ambroeus is another classic pasticceria; drop by for an espresso and chat under the massive chandelier, or sit with well-to-do Milanese in the refined restaurant.
The Duomo is arguably the must-see sight in Milan. There’s so much detailed carving that just the exterior could keep you occupied for hours.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping mall in the world and houses, among other stores, bars, cafes, and restaurants, the world-famous Cracco. The quickest walking route from the hotel is straight down Via Manzoni to Piazza della Scala, where you will not miss the Galleria’s grand entrance.
There aren’t many supermarkets in central Milan, so head to the Carrefour Express near the Duomo if you need basics; open 24-hours.
Also in the Piazza del Duomo is the Museo del Novecento, housed in an old Mussolini palace. Look out for the yellow umbrella (pictured), which means a free city walking tour is about to begin.
The Hoepli bookstore has tons of English-language titles as well as a lot of maps and guidebooks. It’s tucked down a side street between the Galleria and San Babila.
Brera is a fun district to wander around for cute stores and cafes, but make sure not to miss the amazing art at the Pinacoteca di Brera (the grand building on the left).
Near the Pinacoteca is one of the quirkiest stores in Milan. Il Cirmolo is a veritable treasure trove of antiques and retro-inspired curiosities.
The bar at the Bulgari Hotel is a serene spot for a drink thanks to its enormous gardens and location, tucked away down a private road behind the Brera Botanical Gardens.
N’Ombra de Vin’s cellar may be old, but the atmosphere is far from it – it’s super popular with hip locals.
Eataly, the 3-story food emporium is just north of Brera and a must-visit for any foodie.
Just west of Brera is the Sforza Castle and Sempione Park, well worth the detour.
An unmissable Milanese sight, Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is inside Santa Maria della Grazie church. Online tickets sell out months in advance but Senato’s concierge can often book last-minute spaces on tours for guests. Check rates and availability: Senato
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