Our man in Milan and at Armani made reservations for SO at Hotel Principe di Savoia. “It’s about 20-30 minutes from Linate airport, and you’ll love it!” stated Paul Lucchesi. It was no idle boast…

The Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, Italy, is an absolute study in old-world elegance and the type of property that takes ‘arrival’ and sliding out of a limo to a whole new level.

The hotel, a member of the Dorchester Collection (whose holdings include The Dorchester in London, Beverly Hills Hotel, The New York Palace and Hotel Bel Air in North America, as well as Le Meurice and Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris), overlooks the Piazza della Repubblica in the heart of the city and stands like a beautiful work of art with its ornate scaffolding and arched windows that present the structure as a neoclassical landmark. It reeks of old-world sophistication with doormen in abundance, elegantly clad security and a top-of-the line concierge desk.

The hotel’s entire façade has been redone in a single style to reflect the original building, which first opened in 1927. Still, there’s an eclectic sense about the place, one that pays homage to the many international influences that infiltrated architecture of the day and found expression in the Milanese belle époque.

The ground-floor exterior of wrought iron and glass extends along verandas spanning the front of the hotel in the style of Milan’s famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. There is, too, an elegant leafy Italian garden that stylishly separates guests from the urbane bustle of the surrounding environs and is a great place to sip tea or enjoy a late-afternoon lunch with friends.

Step inside and even more opulence awaits; not to mention the continuous flow of stylish individuals (Milan is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most stylish cities). The main lobby… the perfect place to people-watch. Salons and public spaces betray the regality of the guest rooms — a complement of 401 to be exact.

Of that number 132 are suites, which feature furnishings and accessories that integrate modern technical equipment unobtrusively into a warm and elegant atmosphere.

The Classic Rooms and Elegant Suites are two masterpieces of turn-of-the-century Lombard interior décor. Each room conveys many notes of refinement: Wainscot wood panelling that frames the damask wall coverings; furniture inspired by the creations of the celebrated Maggiolini; carpeting, rugs, curtains and bed linen that complement it all.

Guests find even greater comfort inside the Deluxe Premium Rooms, featuring the best of Italian design and much-appreciated expressions of Italian carpentry. Refurbished in 2007, these rooms speak in hushed tones of the hotel’s neoclassical theme.

It’s easy to feel at home within this space of neutral-coloured walls and bathrooms, which stylishly contrast with the deep blue or ruby red of fabrics. Those yearning for a more haute experience would find comfort in one of the 48 Mosaic Rooms overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica. These luxe rooms feature three basic interior décor themes: Venetian-style rooms in rich gold and ochre silks; Florentine-style rooms framed in soft blue-grey; and neoclassical rooms with touches of rich ruby.

It is the unparalleled service of the Hotel Principe di Savoia, however, that truly impresses and will keep you coming back… that and the absolute discretion of the staff (interpret this to mean that there are celebs in abundance, paparazzi hiding in bushes for that big-money shot, but the staff reveal nary a clue as to who’s just checked in). The humongous bouquets of flowers and the non-stop flashes are enough giveaways as to who has either just arrived or is about to beat a hasty retreat.

Excellence is in the details, and from the check-in to housekeeping, to getting a transformer to work, to each call answered on the first ring, not to mention getting a brief synopsis of the daily weather and a complimentary limo to take you shopping — delivering five-star service becomes a way of life.

Editor’s Note: Thankfully, there’s a spa for the food is sooo good you’re almost tempted to eat, sleep, people-watch and start the ritual all over again.

Reservations, as you can appreciate, are already in place for next year.

Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan

Piazza della Repubblica, 17

20124 Milano, Italia

Telephone: +39 02 6230-1

www.hotelprincipesavoia.com

Photos appear in SO courtesy of Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan