Porta Nuova / Moscova

Avani Palazzo Moscova Milan

★★★★★

Avani Palazzo Moscova puts you between old and new Milan. The hotel occupies a neoclassical building designed by the engineer Giulio Sarti that was once one of the city's first railway stations, and it now sits on the edge of the Porta Nuova district, with the glass towers of Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Bosco Verticale on one side and the nightlife of Corso Como and the Garibaldi area on the other. Previously run by NH, it reopened under Minor Hotels' Avani brand, which aims for relaxed, contemporary comfort rather than formal luxury. There are 65 rooms and suites, with a modern, light design. The signature restaurant, Forte Milano, serves Mediterranean seafood inspired by the Tyrrhenian coast, with a terrace for warm evenings, and the AmaTi spa is set in the original railway vaults, with a sauna, hammam and whirlpool, a rare feature at this price level in the centre. There is also a gym. The location is excellent for exploring the modern side of the city: Porta Nuova and Isola are a short walk away, the Cimitero Monumentale is close by, Brera is within fifteen minutes on foot, and Garibaldi station, about five minutes away, connects to metro lines M2 and M5, suburban trains and the Malpensa Express. The fashion district and Via Montenapoleone are within easy reach too. It is a stylish, practical choice for couples, design lovers and business travellers who prefer evenings in the city's newer neighbourhoods.

What sets it apart: the railway-station architecture, the spa in the old vaults and the restaurant terrace, which together give the hotel more character than most modern four-stars. The neighbourhood suits travellers who want restaurants and bars on the doorstep and fast connections to Malpensa from Garibaldi station.

Room tips: ask for a room away from the street side for the quietest sleep, and consider a suite for longer stays. Book the spa in advance at busy times. During Design Week, Porta Nuova and Isola host many events, so book early. The surrounding streets reward an evening stroll: Corso Como and Corso Garibaldi have some of the liveliest bars and restaurants in central Milan, Isola has a younger, more local scene across the tracks, and Brera's lanes are close enough for dinner on foot. Ask the front desk for current recommendations, as the area changes quickly.

Practicals: in the Moscova area, about five minutes' walk from Garibaldi station (M2, M5, suburban trains and Malpensa Express) and Moscova (M2). Fit: couples, design-minded visitors and business travellers who want modern Milan on the doorstep.