From hidden landmark to cosmopolitan playground. This is why you need to check out Milan’s latest luxury stay. 

Set in the heart of Milan’s fashion district and home to the city’s fashion elite, the Portrait Hotel is the perfect choice if you want to get the real Milan experience during your next weekend getaway. With its stunning baroque design, this unique five star hotel debuted last year, bringing metropolitan energy to a building with over 500 years of history. Originally one of Europe’s oldest seminaries, the place underwent an extensive five-year transformation to become both a Milanese hotspot and a city chic retreat.

Walking into the Portrait Hotel Milan feels like entering the scene of a haute couture commercial. Think of a grand hotel entrance, an alluring piazza framed with majestic colonnades, and of course, a stylish hotel bar with an even more stylish crowd. Here, history and glamour come together, inviting you into Milan’s most stylish luxury destination. As you step through the spectacular entrance, a historic structure leads you to lavish suites, high-end fashion boutiques and world famous restaurants. It becomes very clear that this is Milan’s new place to be… Mi piace!

It’s no wonder the Portrait Hotel has captivated the public ever since its renovation— you don’t witness a transformation like that every day. With the opening of the hotel, one of Milan’s most intriguing hidden landmarks has been returned to the city and accessible to the public for the first time in its 500-year history. Originally commissioned by the Archbishop of Milan in 1565, Saint Borromeo, this historic property once served as a seminary for the Catholic Church during the medieval era. Today, Portrait Milano stands as a celebrated example of Baroque architecture, mixing its historic structure with a contemporary vision to become a dynamic hub for hospitality, entertainment, and culture in Milan’s buzzing fashion district.

The 73 rooms and suites are laid out across the second and third floors of the historic building, each with its own balcony overlooking the courtyard. The suites feel like classic Milanese apartments, complete with a personal bar, library, and marble bathroom. Interiors are designed in walnet and plush cardinal-red velvet, while the leather-studded dressing rooms add a nice touch of extra elegance. It is remarkable how spacious the walk-in closets are – even bigger than the one I have at home. Let’s not forget we are in the capital of fashion after all!

The library inside the junior suite

Returning to your suite feels just like coming home—a feeling the hotel has perfected by design. The lobby downstairs has a warm, living-room feel that makes the five-star service both luxurious and cozy. The young, friendly staff make you feel instantly at home, delivering attentive service without the usual five-star pretension.

Sneak peak into the Borromeo Suite

The fashion scene

In a city already home to internationally renowned names like Bulgari and Armani, it’s impressive when a newcomer not only arrives but also makes a lasting mark on Milan’s fashion scene—and Portrait Milano has already done far more than that. 

Located in the heart of the Quadrilatero della Moda, the Portrait Hotel adds an exciting new layer to this world-famous luxury shopping district. With Via Monte Napoleone as its background—a global rival to London’s Bond Street and New York’s Fifth Avenue— the hotel’s grand courtyard was inaugurated as a public piazza by Milan’s mayor in December 2022. Since then it has instantly become the city’s chic new “it” spot and lively thoroughfare for Milan’s fashion lovers. 

Last year, the hotel took center stage during Milan Fashion Week by hosting the Moncler Fashion Show, directed by Pharrell Williams. The show featured dancers, singers, and musicians parading around the hotel’s upper levels, bringing the historic building alive. It was a creative masterpiece, with the Portrait Milano setting the scene in a way that only it could. 

If that wasn’t enough, the Portrait further established its fashion influence by collaborating with Max Mara on a playful pop-up installation celebrating the iconic Teddy Coat. The courtyard was transformed into the “Fluffy Residence,” a cozy yet chic space made entirely from teddy velvet fabric, attracting a buzzworthy crowd of influencers and celebrities. Only at the Portrait Hotel you’ll witness such a happening right from your suite’s balcony! In what other hotel do you get to be so close to the fashion elite?

cc: Max Mara

The restaurants

There are so many reasons to choose the Portrait Hotel for your next city break, and its fantastic inhouse restaurants and bars are definitely high on that list. One of the best parts of staying at the Portrait is that you don’t even need to leave the hotel to experience Milanese glamour—the entertainment is right at your doorstep. The courtyard bar is one of my absolute favorite spots in Milan for an aperitivo. After a long day of shopping, there’s nothing better than enjoying a glass of champagne while overlooking the stunning baroque colonnades.

If you want to enjoy a modern dining experience in a luxurious setting, Beefbar is your place to go. Beefbar originally opened in 2005 in Monaco and is now a favorite in glamorous cities worldwide. For a memorable nightcap, head to cocktailbar Rumore, where you’re transported back to the charm of the Roaring Twenties. Imagine an American-style bar with Italian finesse, live music, and, of course, a list of signature cocktails to finish off the evening in style.

Ready to experience Milan like never before?

The Portrait Milano isn’t just a hotel—it’s an invitation to experience Milan’s heart and soul. From its medieval history and architecture to its trendsetting role in the city’s fashion and social scenes, this is a hotel you won’t easily forget. Book a stay at the Portrait Milano to dive into the city’s beating heart, where history, glamour, and high fashion are waiting for you.

by Lisa van Leer

*All images on Wanderluxe with Lisa are taken by the author unless stated otherwise.