Mandarin Oriental, Milan

The hotel is in the heart of the Montenapoleone district, where all the designer stores are. Walk to La Scala Opera House in five minutes and Milan Cathedral in ten minutes.

The Montenapoleone metro station is a two-minute walk and it's three stops to central station, where the airport buses drop you off.

By plane: London to Milan Malpensa takes 1 hour 50 minutes; Manchester to Milan Malpensa takes over 2 hours - after which, it's a 50-minute drive to the hotel. Paid on-site parking available. Book flights to Milan.

This is is a sophisticated hotel with typical Milanese design - think marble flooring and classy monochrome décor. In the summer, there's a buzz from the courtyards, where aperitivos are sipped.

Staff are happy to help in anyway, including arranging excursions or shopping after-hours. There's a gym, hair salon and spa - which is one of the best in the city.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Garden
• Swimming pool
• Gym
• Spa
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The typical Milanese design and glamour extends to the rooms and suites, which boast marble bathrooms, complete with rainfall showers and tubs.

Room types: Superior, Deluxe, Mandarin, Family rooms; Junior , Milano, Terrace, Studio, Deluxe, Premier, Prestige, Fornasetti, Presidential suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, Nespresso machine, bluetooth speaker, TV, free Wi-Fi

At two Michelin-starred Seta, Executive Chef Antonio Guida presents classic Italian dishes with a creative flair. For more informal dining, head to the courtyard Mandarin Garden, where you can sip innovative cocktails after dark. The minestrone soup with basil oil was a vibrant vegetable soup full of flavour, and is adored by the locals.

Seta: Two Michelin stars, contemporary Italian cuisine. Open Tue-Sat for lunch and dinner.

Mandarin Garden: Italian cuisine and cocktails. Open daily, 7-1am.