Cordusio / Brera

Antica Locanda dei Mercanti

★★★★★

Antica Locanda dei Mercanti is a small boutique hotel with a big secret: some of the most charming terrace rooms in central Milan. It occupies an austere eighteenth-century palazzo on Via San Tomaso, a quiet lane in the old merchants' quarter between Cordusio and the southern edge of Brera, and from the street you would hardly know it was there. Inside, the atmosphere is calm, bright and refined, with fresh, elegant rooms and suites decorated in a light, understated style. Several of the rooms have their own private terraces, a rare luxury in the city centre, where you can have a glass of wine above the rooftops; others look out over the historic centre. The location is outstanding for sightseeing on foot: the Duomo and the Galleria are about ten minutes away, La Scala is a short walk, the Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione are close in the other direction, and Brera's galleries, restaurants and boutiques start a few blocks north. The Cordusio and Cairoli metro stops are both nearby. The hotel is small and personal rather than full-service, with no big restaurant or spa; breakfast is available for a supplement. The building's age shows in a small lift reached by a few steps from the ground floor, which is worth knowing for travellers with limited mobility. For couples and independent travellers who want character, quiet and a walkable location at a fair price, it is a lovely choice.

What sets it apart: the terrace rooms, which are among the most romantic places to stay in central Milan at this level, and the quiet lane, which keeps the noise of the centre at bay while everything remains within walking distance.

Room tips: book a room with a terrace well ahead, as there are only a few and they are in demand from spring to autumn. Suites suit longer stays. Travellers with limited mobility should ask about the lift and room access before booking. The merchants' quarter around Via San Tomaso is one of the oldest parts of the city, and a few minutes' walk brings you to Piazza Mercanti, the medieval heart of Milan with its arcaded Palazzo della Ragione, as well as to the elegant shops of Via Dante, which leads straight to the Sforza Castle.

Practicals: Via San Tomaso 6, near the Cordusio (M1) and Cairoli (M1) metro stops, about ten minutes' walk from the Duomo and close to the Sforza Castle and Brera. Fit: couples, art lovers and walkers who want a characterful, quiet base in the historic centre.