The NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova is the practical choice for visitors who want to be in Milan's modern quarter. It stands at Via Melchiorre Gioia 6, in the Porta Nuova district, close to the glass skyscrapers by Cesar Pelli, one of which is the tallest building in Italy. The hotel was formerly known as the NH Milano Grand Hotel Verdi, and its building has a character of its own: it was designed in 1973 by Marco Zanuso and Pietro Crescini, and its exterior was inspired by large cruise ships. There are 100 rooms, ranging from superior rooms to suites, and sizes run from 27 to 70 square metres, with junior and family suites that have adjoining rooms, which makes the hotel a sensible option for families or small groups. The restaurant serves Italian and Mediterranean dishes, a cosy lobby bar offers drinks, and a fully equipped fitness centre rounds out the facilities. For a traveller who wants to enjoy the modern side of Milan, the location is a pleasure. The Bosco Verticale, the Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Corso Como nightlife area are a short walk away, and the Garibaldi station provides metro and rail connections. The Duomo is reachable by metro in a few stops, so you can combine a modern base with traditional sightseeing.
The area is a good fit for first-time visitors who prefer contemporary architecture to cobbled lanes. Porta Nuova is cleaner, greener and more modern than most of the centre, with pedestrian squares, fountains and gardens, and the evening scene around Corso Como and Isola is lively. It is less atmospheric than Brera, but it is convenient.
Living in it
Expect a comfortable, mainstream hotel rather than a boutique. Rooms vary in size, so check the category you choose, and if you travel as a family, ask about the adjoining junior and family suites. The restaurant and lobby bar are convenient for a quiet evening, and the fitness centre is a bonus. Because the building has a distinctive 1970s design, some interiors may feel different from newer hotels, so read recent guest comments.
Who it suits
Couples, families and business travellers who want a modern district and good transport. It is a moderate price for the area, and rates rise during fashion weeks and Design Week. For a more historic stay, consider the Principe di Savoia nearby, and for a classical walking base, the Gran Duca di York near the Duomo. Guests who value contemporary city views over period charm tend to rate the district highly, and the metro makes the older centre easy to reach on any evening.
Why stay here
- ✓100 rooms from 27 to 70 square metres
- ✓Junior and family suites with adjoining rooms
- ✓Italian and Mediterranean restaurant
- ✓Lobby bar
- ✓Fitness centre
- ✓Close to the Pelli towers
- ✓Garibaldi station nearby
- ✓1973 building by Zanuso and Crescini
Good questions
What was this hotel called before?+
The NH Milano Grand Hotel Verdi. It now trades as the NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova.
Is it good for families?+
Yes. Junior and family suites with adjoining rooms are available, so check the category you choose.
What is nearby?+
The glass towers of Porta Nuova, the Bosco Verticale area, Piazza Gae Aulenti and Garibaldi station, plus the Duomo a few metro stops away.
