Four Seasons Hotel Milano

The Four Seasons Hotel Milano is superbly located on a peaceful street right in the heart of the city's top fashion district. Its luxurious interiors are hallmarked by the building's origin, as a convent, of which the cloisters survive and offer a peaceful garden onto which some of the guestrooms and suites look. The hotel's 118 guest rooms include 51 suites, each of which is absolutely unique, featuring original architecture dating back to the 15th century convent (frescoes, columns, vaulted ceilings) in combination with sophisticated contemporary design, comprising Fortuny textiles, Frette linen, custom-woven carpets, and specially-built sycamore burl and pear cabinetry.

The bathrooms offer the height of enjoyment, with extensive use of prestige marble, a deep soaking tub, walk-in shower, heated marble floors and towel rack, and anti-fog mirrors. Equipment includes hair dryer and thick terry bathrobes. High-tech amenities in the rooms and suites include CD/DVD player, fax machine on request, all-news cable network, in-room safe, multi-line phone with voicemail, and wired or wireless Internet. Children aged 18 and under can be accommodated at no extra charge in a crib or rollaway bed in their parents' room or suite.

The Royal Suite, one of the two of the hotel's most prestigious accommodation facilities, takes up the entire fifth floor, and represents an ideal setting for both business and relaxation. It provides views looking onto central Milan, with a 35 square metre terrace, and a reading room with fireplace. If required it can be upgraded to a two or three-bedroom suite by linking it to a Deluxe Room and an Executive Suite on the floor below, connected by a private staircase.

Il Teatro Restaurant
Il Teatro is a sumptuously-furnished restaurant, with gilded mirrors, beige and red wall and ceiling décor. It opens onto the inner garden named Il Patio. It is renowned for its Sunday brunch (served from 11.45 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and it is also open for sophisticated dinners, 7.30 p.m.-11 p.m., Monday to Saturday. On Saturdays it offers an after-theatre menu with prior reservation.

Menu highlights include scallops browned on a red-hot stone with sage, Pata Negra ham and anchovy powder (appetizer); Sardinian fregula pasta cooked risotto style with red shrimps, sea asparagus and mullet roe in grains (first course); and Traditional Carloforte Island-style boned fish and shellfish soup with a leek flan and focaccia croutons (main course). As regards desserts, we recommend viewing the "Cave au Chocolate" with its extraordinarily tempting delights.

www.luxos.com/guide/hotel-restaurants/1753

La Veranda restaurant
La Veranda, the second restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Milano, attracts a clientele from Milan's high society and fashion circles. It features innovative Mediterranean and local cuisine, created by celebrity chef Sergio Mei and his team of 28 assistant chefs. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, and its proposals include vegetarian menus and a colourful menu specially designed for children.

Overall, its culinary suggestions are highly varied, running from one-course menus (a main course, with a choice of dessert from the trolley, and a glass of wine) to signature recipes by Sergio Mei. These include Herb-larded rabbit roulate with Pinot Nero wine sauce, roasted sweet peppers and olives; seasonal specialities such as Alba white truffle in autumn; traditional Milanese dishes such as classic Milanese risotto, veal ossobuco in gremolata sauce, and veal cutlet on the bone with chopped tomatoes and rocket salad, and roast potatoes.

Il Foyer lounge bar
The lounge Il Foyer at Four Seasons Hotel Milano, serving cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, snacks and desserts, is in a splendid interior featuring a superb stone fireplace which, lit in winter, creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. On the walls, there are sketches by Filippo Peroni for Teatro alla Scala, and a pianist provides an evocative soundscape from 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. The lounge is open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 a.m.

Menu highlights include a range of light dishes, for example Mediterranean tuna fish tartare with ginger, lime, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese with anchovies sauce, or Smoked salmon filet with bread croutons, fresh ricotta cheese and lettuce heart. There are many fantastic sandwiches, such as the Club sandwich with lobster and avocado, fennel, celery and tomato; and the Steak sandwich with tomatoes, rocket salad, mustard and French fries. Don't miss the desserts from the trolley, or the Pineapple carpaccio with lime-ginger infusion and ice-cream.

Spa services
The hotel offers invigorating or relaxing treatments in the privacy of your guest room or suite. Various types of massages are available: shiatsu, traditional Thai, pressure point, aromatherapy, Swedish, Ayurvedic and reflexology. In addition there are manicure and pedicure services. The Spa is scheduled to open in spring 2012.

H.N., 1.12.2011