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Milan: Berna or Ariston hotels?

I am having trouble deciding. . . . I have a reservation for the Ariston Hotel in Milan for a few days in March. I booked this on Expedia in December and it was more expensive than I wanted, but they were all expensive at that time. Now, with the economy woes, prices have gone down a bit and I could save some money by canceling and booking with the hotel itself or by staying at the Hotel Berna. The reviews for this hotel on TripAdvisor are almost unbelievable, they are so positive. (The breakfast does sound great). We will be going on to Venice after Milan, so being by the station would make it easy for our departure, and arrival, too, since the Malpensa bus unloads there. Train station areas are sometimes a little seedy after dark, though. As for the Ariston, the idea of an ecologically friendly hotel is appealing, yet its reviews are fairly mediocre. Being downtown has its appeal, too, because we could just walk everywhere. Yet, getting there from the Malpensa Express drop off looks a little tricky.

Has anyone stayed at either of these places? Any comments, good or bad?

Thank you!
Cheryl

Posted by
361 posts

Cheryl. We stayed at the Hotel Berna Sept/07. It was a short walk from the train station. Just follow Rick's directions starting from the front of the station not the side where the bus from Malpensa drops you off. Our room was typical, quiet, clean, with a nice bathroom. Welcome chocolate biscuits on the bed and a small fridge stocked with free non-alcoholic beverages. The breakfast (our 1st in Italy) was one of the very best we had anywhere. The staff was professional and welcoming even though it was 11:00 pm. We booked on Venere.com and everything was as promised. We loved the location for travelling to our next destination, Varenna. We would stay there again if in Milan. We haven't stayed at the Ariston so can't help you with information.

Posted by
114 posts

Thank you! The Berna does sound the most interesting and we have decided to stay there. Cheryl

Posted by
62 posts

I also stayed at Berna. The refrig was stocked and free, afternoon had tea and coffee and sconces in reading room, apples at desk and in the morning I watched employee making hot chocolate with chocolate block, it was divine. Subway was about a block away.
Have fun.