There’s something about fashion that makes us feel good. We look forward in anticipation of the season’s new collection and how the industry will celebrate one of our most basic needs; clothing. It is undisputed that no one does fashion better than two of Europe’s cities, Paris and Milan. These vortexes of style have rivaled for the adulations of fashionistas around the world. In the center of Milan’s haute fashion district, one hotel has created a haven of beauty for fashionistas as well as jetsetters and Milan’s beau Monde. The Palazzo Parigi Hotel and Grand Spa is one of the city’s most beautiful hotels and ironically has been created to celebrate Milan’s fashion rival, Paris.
Parigi is Italian for Paris so the hotel has been created in homage to Milan’s fashion rival but also in honor or the French way of doing things. This comes to the fore in the design ethos as well as in the focus on the small things as only the French can do.
Palazzo Parigi is located a short walk from the haute fashion district for which Milan is most well-known. Milan’s most famous fashion row is Via Monte Napoleone where the world most haute brand come to show off. After a 15-minute stroll you’ll find stores decked out with elaborate window displays of avantgarde fashion from the top luxury brands. So to be clear, Rodeo Drive is the Via Monte Napoleone of the US and not the other way around.
Milan is a cosmopolitan city with so much to do beyond the fashion scene. The Palazzo Parigi is located in near the cool and bohemian Brera area with cobbled stone streets, plenty of little trendy cafes, shops and galleries to check out. Also a short walk away are one of the region’s most highly regarded museums, the Pinacoteca di Brera, as well the Baroque Chiesa San Marco, Milan’s second-largest church.
Palazzo Parigi has a colorful past that follows Milan’s history. Built in the 18th century, It was first the Palazzo Kramer until it was bombed and badly destroyed during World War 11. From there it was rebuilt and repurposed into a bank. Years later, falling in the state of disrepair, the location was found by architect Paola Giambelli who is of one of Milan’s most successful construction families. She had a vision to create a hotel in Milan that had the finest accouterments of the most elegant Parisian hotel. As Paris is one of her favorite cities, she set out to make a statement and showcase of fine Italian craftsmanship as well as a place with the sensibilities of Parisian society.
Today, Palazzo Parigi is known among the top hotels Milan if not Italy and beyond. It is willfully ostentatious where a look in any direction finds the fine oil paintings, elegant antique furnishings, and sparkling pink marble floors. On the ground floor there is an ornate fireplace mantle and sitting area adjacent to the lounge while on the first floor hand painted ceilings remind of a time past when craftmanship and art were inseparable. From the moment guests enter, they cannot help but to be enamored with ceilings that soar high to the skylight over the Italian opera worthy staircase made of the Carrara marble under the glittering Murano chandelier. Throughout the ten stories of this boutique hotel, the Parisian aesthetics are unreliable from the French provincial décor, gold leaf niceties, marble floors, and period paintings referencing French society of centuries past. The hotel’s design was created by Giambelli in partnership with the revered French designer, Pierre Yves Rochon.
Milan’s high society as well as jetsetters from around the world have responded to her magnum opus by lauding praises as well as staying for lunch and dinner while stay over guest make this their home for a long weekend if not for weeks.
This homage of two cities continues with the décor of the rooms and suites. Guests will find in the décor of 98 rooms as either a French baroque style design with soft tones of ivory, beige, chestnut or more on a Milanese contemporary style with earth tones and more minimalist style. The rooms are flush with beautiful wall coverings, painting in gilded frames, antiques and objects d’art. The beds are uber-comfy with white duvet covers and thickly padded headboards.
All the rooms are generous in size with the latest in technology, electronics and amenities and filled with natural light from the large glass doors.The bathrooms are created for luxuriating with marble walls and floors, separate bath and shower as well as Clarins toiletries.
The 33 suites of Palazzo Parigi are event more spacious, lavishly decorated with a lovely a sitting area. What makes all of the accommodations so lovely is the gorgeous terraces giving sweeping views of the Milan’s new downtown area or the Duomo. There’s plenty of space for sunbathing on the chaise lounges. There’s also an outdoor table for lunch or to share a bottle of wine in the evening while taking in the sweeping views of the Milan city skyline.
The specialty suites such as the Presidential Suite or the Royal Suite have been created to impress the most jaded traveler and feel more like a pied-à-terre than a hotel room. The layout is ideal with living room, dining room bedroom and separate guest bath and two balconies. The accouterments continue with antique furniture, sculptures and gorgeous art pieces. These abodes are often the choice for visiting celebs such as Bono, endless Italian actors as well as politicians and titans of business. The balcony’s stretch the distance of the suites offering an outdoor living space to drink in the views of this magical city.
To set out to create one of the finest hotels in Milan, a city known for its cuisine, is not an easy task. The culinary experience must be of the highest level and ready to please the most jaded palate and in that regard, the Palazzo Parigi does not disappoint. On any day, guests, as well as the city’s politicians, celebrities, and highest levels of society, gather for the hotel’s haute cuisine.
The Gourmet Restaurant is a treat for all the senses and is known for its reimagined Italian cuisine and Milanese specialty dishes. Before the first morsel, the eyes feast about the theatrical décor of the room. Soaring high hand painted ceilings, neo-classical décor with walls are adorned with priceless 17th century oil paintings. In the warmer months, guests dine al fresco on the terrace in a park-like space surrounded by century old trees.
This is haute Italian cuisine with dishes such as lobster Panzanella, ossobuco, risotto alla Milanese. The wine pairing is exceptional as well with knowledgeable sommeliers and an 800-bottle wine cellar.
The Caffe Parigi is Milan’s gathering place for light bites and cocktails where you’ll see friends gathering or business deals negotiated. The setting is dramatic with soaring high wooden ceilings, parquet floors, and a long marble bar straight out of a movie set with high shelves filled all manner of spirits. The bistro continues with a glass-enclosed winter garden as well as the option to take meals and cocktails outdoors under the trees. A proper high tea is offered daily as well with light macaroons and other pastries, snacks and teas.
For travelers looking to relax after a long day of shopping the Grand SPA Palazzo Parigi is the right option. This is a world-class destination spa with 15, 000 square feet, seven treatment rooms, and a large indoor pool. The facility has a Moroccan style décor with treatment rooms having their own unique decoration from either Bali, India, China, Sweden, or Polynesia. Facilities include a hammam, a steam bath, Jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas as well as a spacious fitness area equipped with the latest generation machines.
The Palazzo Parigi is the story of a determined woman with a vision. Paola Giambelli set out to create one of the finest hotels in Milan that would pay homage yet rival the finest hotels of Paris. Her vision has been achieved to the delight of well-heeled travelers around the world. To stay at one of the finest hotels in both Milan or Paris, look no further than the Palazzo Parigi Hotel and Spa.
