TL;DR
- Canal-side charm: – Romantic Milan boutique hotel overlooking the Naviglio Grande.
- Distinctive style: – Eclectic interiors blend historic architecture with contemporary touches.
- Italian dining: – Traditional restaurant, excellent wine list, and charming common spaces.
- Local location: – Perfect for Navigli nightlife and uber-fashionable Tortona.
- Check prices here
This waterfront beauty overlooks the Naviglio Grande, Milan’s oldest and most famous canal.
It’s an old building, first constructed in the 1700s, but with plenty of modernity keeping things comfortable.
The rosy façade facing the still water is decidedly romantic, but it’s not the only reason we recommend Maison Borella.
No, we find it knows what a small European boutique hotel in a less than central location should be about. We’re talking intimacy, character, personality.
The decor doesn’t feel beholden to any era; here we are offered a quite eclectic, but always refined, feel.
Maison Borella is not for someone who wants access to the central sights; most of its guests will have been to Milan many times before.
Despite the French name, it has a strong local flavour, and fits perfectly in among the rows of tidy little buildings along the canal.
In the evenings though, especially at weekends, the canal side can fill with people. It’s lively, social, and very local, but may lead to some noise issues for those with canal view rooms.
What are the rooms like?
- 24 rooms: – A small collection of welcoming guest rooms and canal-side retreats.
- Character details: – Wooden ceilings, brick walls, parquet floors, and a relaxed boutique feel.
- Canal views: – Some rooms overlook the Naviglio Grande and feature romantic French balconies.
- Comforts included: – Plasma TVs, minibars, robes, slippers, and modern amenities throughout.
- See each room in detail here
Rooms at Maison Borella are straightforward; no one’s trying to show off too much here, but they feel homely and welcoming.
They’re generally pretty modern, but with architectural touches like wooden ceilings and brick walls that add a bit of character.
There’s plenty of variety, from cosy doubles to roomy spaces with views of the courtyard.
Of course, we’d say get a canal view if at all possible. A handful of guest rooms have windows facing the Naviglio Grande, romantic amid the rooms’ wood beams and the occasional French balcony.
There can be some noise issues with them in the evenings though, as mentioned above.
All options at Maison Borella include, at least, plasma TVs, gorgeous parquet flooring, mini bars, and plush robes and slippers.
What are prices like?
And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?
- Italian breakfast: – Pastries, jams, coffee, and a classic European start to the day.
- Bugandè Restaurant: – Traditional Milanese and Italian cuisine in a romantic setting.
- Wine & drinks: – Excellent wine list and a relaxed bar for aperitivi.
- Relaxed spaces: – Charming lobby, courtyard views, and helpful concierge assistance.
Maison Borella offers a charming Italian breakfast spread, all pastries and jams, and rich coffees.
For dinner, head to the onsite restaurant, Bugandè. It’s the most traditional feeling place in the hotel, a delight of rich wood accents, exposed brick walls, and romantic low lighting.
They serve a mix of Milanese and more general Italian cuisine with a fantastic wine list, definitely worth a visit for one of your evenings.
If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, stop in the bar for your afternoon Campari soda.
There’s a meeting room on site for anyone on business, but otherwise the common areas are great just for relaxing.
The lobby is especially charming, an airy space with views of the verdant interior courtyard.
How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?
- Navigli setting: – One of Milan’s most atmospheric canal-side districts.
- Nightlife nearby: – Excellent restaurants, bars, and lively evening energy.
- Fashion focus: – Very close to Fashion Week hotspot Tortona.
- Easy access: – Around 15 minutes by taxi to the Duomo and central attractions.
As we mentioned before, if you know Milan, Maison Borella’s off-centre, non-touristic location is part of the charm.
The area around Naviglio Grande has some superb restaurants, some near the hotel.
As you go towards the center along the canal, things can get a bit clubby, and our nightlife-loving friends will find plenty to do.
About 15 minutes walk to the west is Tortona.
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, and Tortona is the fashion capital of Milan.
It is where much Fashion Week activity takes place, and also home to cinemas, contemporary art museums, and the Armani Museum amongst others.
The centre of Milan – the Duomo, Piazza degli Affari, Teatro alla Scala, and most of the city’s tourist sites can be reached in a pleasant 30-minute walk with the odd ice cream break along the way.
Porta Genova FS, on the M2/Green Line, is your nearest metro stop at Maison Borella.
It’s about a 5-minute walk away, and from there you can be in the centre in less than 10 more.
And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?
Some things guests liked:
“Beautiful setting on the canal in an old building with courtyards. Room was huge with a window to the canal. Breakfast great, service and classic European variety. would recommend….”
“The staff were all great and super helpful! The location was really fun with restaurants and bars all nearby. Transportation was easy too with the tram lines and subway in walking distance. The room was clean and spacious too!…”
Some things guests didn’t like:
”People sensitive to noise should avoid rooms with canal view….”
”The breakfast had lots of lovely homemade cakes, but nothing freshly baked that was gluten free. The hotel isn’t the place to stay if you want peace & quiet at night….”
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