Milan hotel suggestions

I stayed at the Gran Hotel Duca do York before an early morning flight out of Linate last fall and it worked well. It's a small boutique hotel and lovely. It's also very close to the Duomo if you want to have a quick visit. It's s lovely hotel and I would definitely stay there again.

jim,

As you're departing from Linate airport, I'd suggest staying close to Milano Centrale. Have a look at Hotel Garda or Hotel Berna, which are both within walking distance from the station. The options for getting to Linate are shown on this website.

I second Ken's suggestion.

If your flight is really early you won't be eating breakfast at your hotel, so need to worry a out those bad reviews.

Hotel Berna would be my choice. My sister stayed there and really liked it. Close to Milano Centrale.

And following on Sasha's excellent reasoning, if you are getting a very early flight and are not near the train station (which has frequent buses to the airports), take a taxi, so you won't have to worry about shuttles that don't show up. Linate is close to the center of Milan, so a taxi isn't exorbitant (under €25).

Have stayed at Gran Hotel Duca do York and Hotel Berna. Both are wonderful. Taxi from Gran Hotel Duca do York was 20 euros or so. Driver seemed to be a regular from the desk clerk, was there on time. Made it in about 25 minutes give or take, and he was pleased that we actually rounded up the fare (tip). Unfortunately, I don't know if their breakfasts are available by the time you need to leave. If they are, both are better than any food you'll get (or not get) on the plane.

We also stayed at the Gran Duca di York last month for an early (before 7 am) departure from Linate. As others have said, very nice hotel and the cab was prompt. Although their breakfast service doesn't start until 7:00, they will make you an espresso or cappuccino if you arrive at the front desk a few minutes early. Our trip to the airport took 10 or 15 minutes - it's a very quick trip in the absence of traffic. Also, Linate is a quiet airport early in the morning. We got through security in five minutes at 5:30 am, so you may be able to get a little more sleep than you were planning.

Hotel Berna is great as other people have mentioned. We just left from there a week ago. The hotel made us a "to go" breakfast so we'd have something to eat before our early flight. They also arranged for a private driver to the airport for us. (We were going to Malpensa) I believe the trip was 90 euro and that was for 4 passengers, 4 bags and 1 collapsible wheelchair. Taxis were quoted quite a bit higher 130 euro respectively.

Berna's beds are some of the softest I've experienced in Italy so you won't be disappointed there. They have ceiling fans in all the rooms so you don't need to open a window if it happens to be warm and the AC is turned off for the season. We found the rooms on the back side of the annex building (away from the street) were the quietest.

Berna's breakfast is extensive and very well laid out. Eggs, meats, cheeses, yogurt, fancy desserts, fresh fruit, coffee made to order and about a dozen types of tea and lots more. They get 5 stars in my book for their breakfast.

The only complaint I had about hotel Berna was that all the restaurants in the area were terrible so we had to travel to another part of town for lunch and dinner which was annoying. The proximity to the central station and comfy beds made up for this one minor inconvenience though!

Here's another vote for Gran Duca di York. I stayed there in October 2014 before a flight to Linate. My flight was at 630, I think, and had the cab for 415 which was WAY too early. The desk clerk told me I didn't need it that early but I didn't listen. The morning clerk also offered to fix me a cappuccino. My experience with the taxi was similar- on time, very short ride thru deserted streets, under 20€.

I found the folks at the desk very helpful. I was staying there overnight and my brother and SIL were flying out of Malpensa so stayed near there for the night. We had taken a taxi in to my hotel after our Village Italy tour ended so we could look around the Duomo area for the afternoon. The desk clerk happily called a taxi for my brother/SIL to get to the train station for the MXP express even though he knew they were not staying there and also recommended a terrific restaurant in the neighborhood for lunch. Later I realized it was in the RS book. (Hostaria Borromei)

Thanks for all the replies. After looking at all the suggestions we have reserved a room at Hotel Berna. Seems to work best for us - easy walking distance from Stazione Centrale since we will be coming in from Varenna by train. Subway and airport shuttles close by.