Milan Italy

Kathy - That you haven't received a response all day is probably evidence that accomodation in Milan is not a strength on this board. Try Tripadvisor. Many more people there who are likely to know Milan. You asked a very specific question and you'll likely get a good response there. Good luck.

I've been hanging out on the Milan forum on tripadvisor. Lots of info there! There are people that help out on that site that even live in Milan, and I know you will get answers to your question!
But I'll tell you what I'm doing.
I'm going to be in Milan in November and am staying at the Hotel Ritter. The cheapest room I've seen there is $79 a night. Cheap for a hotel downtown Milan! Very close to the underground, so you can go anyplace. However, I'm not sure how close it is to the Porta Genova stop.
Just be aware that there will be a public transportation strike starting November 9th at 9pm and will be over the next day at 9pm. I'll be there at that time, but will walk a lot and take taxis if I need to. One thing nice about staying at a downtown hotel, and I do love to walk. I hope this helps.
Keep Traveling,
Lisa P.
Here is the link to the Milan forum tripadvisor...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g187849-i143-Milan_Lombardy.html

Thank you both for the tips, I will check out trip advisor. I love to walk as well, so that will not be a problem.

Kathy, the problem isn't walking, it's walking with luggage and moreover, it's taking the metro with luggage and going up and down one, two or three flights of stairs at each station.

I just returned this week from Italy.
I spent the last 2 nights in Milan at the Hotel Berna. It is just a few hundred yards from the Centrale train station.
I found the location to be ideal for hoping on the metro and also getting to the Malpensa Shuttle
in the early AM for my flight home.
I found the Berna on the internet and it was really nice. There are several pretty good restaurants within a block or two of the hotel too.