hotels at or near the the Milan malpensa airport

If you stay downtown Milan, reasonably close to the Milano Cadorna station (right near the Castello sforzesco), you can take a train (Malpensa Express) from there that takes you inside the airport in about 30 minutes. See below for prices and times.
http://www.malpensaexpress.it/en/ The Malpensa airport is in the countryside in the middle of nowhere. There are hotels near the airport but there is nothing there and you'll be stuck inside the hotel for the evening, especially without a car. If you stay in Milan near the Cadorna station at least you can enjoy your last evening in Italy in a place where there are plenty of restaurants, bars and some life.

Roberto is right, the Malpensa airport is in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but hotel restaurants. Stay in the city if you can (depending on your departure time - be sure to check the shuttle schedule for earliest bus).

United just changed my departure date - giving us extra day in Milan. I made our extra night at the Sheraton at MXP. Usually I would stay in city and we will all day but decided we didn't want to be crazy getting to airport that last morning and Sheraton gets very good reviews and is on airport (I think)

We just stayed at the Cardano Hotel Malpensa for one night, and thought it was great. It's about 5 minutes from MXP. We paid 80 euros ... free pickup and delivery to MXP, comfortable room, good wifi. We left too early for breakfast (5 am), but the night clerk offered us fresh croissants and made us a cappuccino. We found the entire staff to be very professional and helpful. Jack, you could take the train or bus to Malpensa and call the shuttle once you arrive at the airport.

Bronwen/Charlene: Many thx.Something I can hang my hat on and was looking for. Charlene- are you sure it is only 5 min from MXP? All the other posts say Cardano, at least the train station there, is about 30 min from MXP. But you must be right about your hotel since you say a shuttle from the AP can take you to the hotel. So?
Jack

Jack, you hit on the answer in your post. The Cadorna -train station- is in Milan itself, versus the Hotel- Cardano Hotel Malpensa near the airport.

We also liked Hotel Cardona. Some of the hotels near Malpensa charge for the shuttle service but this hotel offers free service. And the breakfast was very good-they even had quiche. The hotel was renovated a few years ago so everything is new and the bed was great. Be aware that the last bus to Malpensa is around 9 pm (maybe 10) and we were very close to missing it-taxi would be expensive.

I am in the same situation. The earliest Malpensa Express from Cardorna is at 0428.
Our flight departs at 0630. Is our best option to stay at a hotel next to the airport?

I booked a room at Sheraton thru Hotels.com (two adults and a 13 year old) and it is $139. As I said, United changed our return flight date (a total WTF?!?) and we get all stressed getting to the airport for early flights (ours is at 10am) and since it was an extra night i figure we'll store our things at hotel in Milan or at train station, spend the day sightseeing, catch an early dinner and head out to Sheraton by train. Initially, we were going to take early train out to MXP. With a 6:00 am flight I would stay at airport.

Stacey: With a flight from Malpensa at 0630, I think your only sensible option is to stay at the airport (and I say that as someone who has never stayed at an airport and is, on principle, not a fan of doing so). Your only other option is an expensive cab ride at 3 AM from Milan, so staying at the airport looks pretty good in comparison.

Charlene: Thx again.Really appreciate your info.
Jack

Just to clarify, yes, the Hotel Cardano was just 5 (maybe 10?) minutes from MXP. The free shuttle service started at 5 am; if you need to get to the airport earlier, they could call a taxi for you and I don't think it would be very expensive, for that short distance. I was so impressed with the service we received at this hotel. Highly recommended.

I don't see any US bound flights departing from MXP at 6:30.
The first one is at 10:00 (to JFK). If your first flight segment from MXP goes somewhere in Europe first, you just need to be there one hour before departure. It doesn't matter if your final destination is on the Moon.

Roberto - I wouldn't risk getting to Malpensa only an hour before the flight in the morning. It can be packed in the morning and take a long time to get through check-in and security, regardless of one's destination.