DK Travel : Milan and the Lakes

Milan is Italy’s economic powerhouse, a bustling city of finance and industry, media empires and fashion houses, backed up by an impressive cultural heritage of important art galleries and ancient churches. Yet a 40-minute train ride takes you to the azure pools of “the lakes”, lined with fishing villages, villas and laid-back resorts.

Gothic

Pointed arches and flying buttresses allowed ceilings to soar in the 13th and 14th centuries. Painting became more expressive and realistic.
Gran Duca di York

In the 19th century, this palazzo was used by the nearby cathedral to house visiting cardinals. Today, rooms are marred by ugly 1970s furnishings, yet it is comfortable, some bedrooms have terraces and the location is great.
Grand Café Fashion

Models, upmarket yuppies, flashy trendoids and people who’d like to be/meet all of the above cram the Grand’s garden and disco.
Grand Hotel

Tucked down an alleyway off Viale Liguria, here you can enjoy inventive, exquisite MilaneseMantovana cuisine on a garden terrace.
Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées, Stresa

One of Italy’s top hotels (with a starring role in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms ), this is as sumptuous as you’d expect at the prices.
Grand Hotel Duomo

The popularity of this five-star hotel isn’t simply due to its topnotch appointments, new wing of suites themed on films and modern artists, or the fact that the Beatles called this their “home in Milan”. Above all this, the main draw is that the suites, along with a few enviable doubles, overlook the spires of the cathedral right next-door.
Grand Hotel et de Milan

The Grand has been Milan’s most intimate luxury hotel since 1863, a darling of inveterate shoppers and La Scala stars (it was Callas’s Milan home). Composer Giuseppe Verdi was resident for 30 years.
Grand Hotel Fasano, Gardone Riviera

A Grand Dame of a hotel, spread along a lakeside garden of palms and willows. For extra privacy, book the Villa Principe, a former hunting lodge.
Grand Hotel Fieramilano

If you’re in town for a trade show, you can get no more convenient a hotel than this, opposite the Fiera. Contemporary rooms are given a touch of warmth by richly patterned fabrics.
Grand Hotel Majestic, Verbania-Pallanza

One of Maggiore’s top hotels since 1870, with spacious rooms, courtyard and lawn.

Jump to top

Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €110
- €110-€160
- €160-€210
- €210-€270
- over €270
Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20-€30
- €30-€40
- €40-€50
- over €50