OHLALA recently travelled to one of the world’s fashion capitals to spend 48 hours at Portrait Milano – a luxurious five-star venue in this cosmopolitan Italian city.
“Located in one of the oldest seminaries in Europe, Portrait Milano provides an oasis of intimacy, tranquillity and timeless elegance.”
At OHLALA, we are partial to both fashion and luxury destinations. This month, thanks to the team at the Portrait Milano, not only did we get to travel to one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe but to stay at one of the finest hotels in one of the most famous fashion hubs on the planet.
Perfect Location
Upon arrival, we were in awe of the flawless design and welcoming feel of the hotel. It was immediately apparent to us why this glamorous venue is an award-winning property and regarded as amongst the very finest hotels in the city. In fact, Portrait Milano is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Located in one of the oldest seminaries in Europe, Portrait Milano provides an oasis of intimacy, tranquillity and timeless elegance. It is also situated mere steps away from the most prestigious shopping destinations in Milan. One of our favourite features of the hotel was that it overlooks the city’s newest attraction, the Piazza del Quadrilatero. At 2,800sq/m, this new promenade connects Corso Venezia to Via Sant’Andrea and is the largest and most original square in the fashion district.
High-end Hospitality
From our first contact with the staff, we experienced the quintessential Italian hospitality. We were treated as valued guests and felt well taken care of from the moment we arrived.
After an effortless booking-in process, we were accompanied to our rooms. En route, our helpful bellman cheerfully educated us on the design and layout of this magnificent venue. We were also fortunate enough to be given a tour of the property during our stay.
Design & Décor
This four-story, five-star hotel consists of 73 lavish suites, family suites and rooms, all of which were constructed with luxury and comfort in mind. The rooms range from 32sq/m to 165sq/m, each providing the desired combination of privacy and silence.
The 27 rooms on the second floor include garden-view accommodations that provide glimpses of this secret oasis in the city’s heart, with splendid terraces often present.
The interior design of the rooms was inspired by the city’s 1950s’ parlours and exhibits accents such as beautiful Italian walnut wood. These historical references are enhanced by Florentine craftsmanship. Clear examples include the leather and bronzed brass handles on the front doors, cabinets and sliding doors.
The flooring is natural larch, in running planks typical of Northern European houses and castles. Bathrooms are predominantly in bright white Carrara marble, whilst others present a combination of Red Porphyry and Breccia Medicea.
Focussing on the colour palate, the predominance of red alternates with green. These complementary colours are often found in Milanese houses and are deeply connected to the city.
Deluxe Accommodation
The moment we stepped into the Studio Deluxe Garden Suite, it was obvious we were in for a delightful stay.
Along with the iconic Italian design and layout of the accommodation, this comfortable and well-lit room housed a king-size bed that ensured two of the best nights’ sleep we have experienced in quite some time.
The superbly designed bathroom featured floor-to-ceiling Carrara marble and an oversized shower providing excellent water pressure.
A garden-view terrace added a magnificent touch to an already outstanding quarter. Throughout the stay, we enjoyed several cappuccinos overlooking the beautiful greenery.
Fine Dining
Not content with merely providing some of the most picturesque and comfortable accommodations in Milan, the hotel also showcases a fantastic dining venue, namely 10_11.
We appreciated how the restaurant’s garden, restaurant and colonnade blend to emphasise the imposing architecture through elegant and sophisticated details. The menu is inspired by traditional Italian cuisine that evokes the feeling of good home-cooked meals that you share with your family on a Sunday afternoon. As invited guests of the hotel, we were treated to a sumptuous five-course meal.
For the first course, we partook in an authentic veal tonne that proved both succulent and delicious. This was the perfect appetiser to stimulate the senses. Another appetiser made up the second course, this time in the form of beef tartare prepared tableside with the choice of egg, anchovies, capers, parsley and mustard seed.
On to the mains, we were spoilt with a delicious hanger steak and turnip tops. We have never had a piece of meat prepared to such perfection.
Already satisfied, it was time for not one but two desserts.
Gelato ice cream with sour cherries started the sweet portion of the meal, followed closely by an almond crumble with caramelised apples, fior di latte ice cream and salted caramel. A truly memorable experience for our palates.
The Longevity Spa
The Longevity Spa is a metropolitan wellness oasis born from biohacking high-tech and a holistic vision of wellness. It includes a wet area with a swimming pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation area, a gym and treatment rooms. Portrait Milano is the first hotel in the world to host The Longevity Suite, an advanced European network of biohacking and antiaging city clinics. We were fortunate enough to experience the Ultimate Biohacking 30-minute treatment. This therapy is based on Dry Float Therapy (which uses a bed that suspends your body, creating a weightless feeling), a technological innovation that harnesses the benefits of floating in sensory deprivation to produce positive effects on sleep, concentration and mental and physical recovery.
Near Infra-Red (NIR) Total Body technology stimulates the body’s natural processes using red light and non-ionising electromagnetic radiation, improving circulation and relieving muscle and joint pain.
The benefits of Dry Float and NIR combined with Hydrogen-Oxygen Therapy reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. The treatment allows the body and mind to regain energy, strengthens the immune system, stimulates new collagen growth and improves skin elasticity, hence supporting cellular longevity.
Our time in the deprivation pods was nothing less than sensational. Leaving the treatment, we felt like we were floating and had never felt so relaxed and invigorated. This was a truly novel experience.
Time to Go
After the second night of our unforgettable stay at this uniquely beautiful hotel, it was hard to say goodbye to this enchanting location and leave behind such a serene and luxurious environment.
Once on the plane, we were already expressing our desire to plan a return visit to this magical accommodation and beautiful city.
Our Sincere Thanks
We want to thank Portrait Milano for inviting us into this exquisite venue, for the unrivalled hospitality and for the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Milan.
For more information or to make a reservation,
please visit www.lungarnocollection.com/portrait-milano-hotel/
@portraitmilano