Maison Borella

Maison Borella, a Michelin Key Selected property in Milan, Italy, consistently receives high praise for its charming ambiance, exceptional service, and prime location along the Naviglio Grande canal. Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century "balustrade home," it offers a blend of historic elegance and modern comfort, making it a standout boutique hotel experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Maison Borella garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment from guests, reflected in excellent ratings such as an 18.5 out of 20 score from verified MICHELIN Guide guests and a "Superb" rating of 9.0 based on over a thousand reviews. Guests frequently describe their stays as "perfect" and "charming," highlighting the hotel's unique character and welcoming atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Maison Borella. The location on the vibrant Naviglio Grande canal is a major draw, placing guests amidst lively bars and restaurants. The design of the hotel, an 18th-century building with an internal courtyard and a hybrid historic-contemporary interior, is widely appreciated for its character and inviting ambiance. The service provided by the staff is frequently cited as a key highlight, with many guests praising their helpfulness and friendliness. Finally, the breakfast receives consistent commendation for its quality and variety.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Maison Borella are described as clean, nicely decorated, elegant, and generally spacious. They feature a simple yet elegant style, with some boasting exposed-beam ceilings and parquet floors, contributing to a charming boutique hotel atmosphere. All rooms are air-conditioned and include amenities such as satellite LCD TV, soft bathrobes, and slippers in the private bathrooms. Many rooms offer picturesque views of the canal or the hotel's tranquil internal courtyard, and some even come with balconies or private terraces. Soundproofing is also a noted feature, aiming to ensure guest comfort despite the lively neighborhood.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant, Bugandè, offers a delightful dining experience with both Milanese and classic Italian cuisine. It features indoor and outdoor seating, season permitting. Breakfast, served in a beautiful room overlooking the Naviglio with exposed brick walls, stone floors, and a collection of plates, is consistently rated as excellent, great, tasty, and abundant. The buffet includes homemade cakes, fresh fruit, rye bread, homemade jams, espresso coffee, fragrant croissants, pancakes, and freshly baked cookies.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Maison Borella receive overwhelmingly positive feedback. Guests frequently describe the team as excellent, very kind, helpful, friendly, professional, courteous, and exceptionally attentive to their needs. Many guests felt genuinely comfortable and welcomed, with staff going "out of their way to make us comfortable and welcomed." The concierge service is also available to provide information and suggestions about Milan's attractions and events.

6. Location & Accessibility

Maison Borella boasts an enviable location on the banks of the Naviglio Grande canal, within Milan's vibrant Porta Ticinese quarter. This area is known for its lively atmosphere, filled with numerous bars and restaurants. The hotel offers excellent accessibility to various parts of the city; it is approximately 600 meters (1969 feet) from Porta Genova Metro station (Green Line), which provides connections to Milano Centrale Train Station and other key areas. Major attractions like the Navigli District, Basilicas Park, and the New Academy of Fine Arts of Milan are within walking distance, and the city center is easily reachable.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific price details can vary, Maison Borella is a 4-star hotel with prices generally starting from around $203 to $210. On various review platforms, it often receives a good rating for "value for money," scoring 8.4 out of 10 in some instances. Pricing can fluctuate, with December often being the cheapest month to stay and February the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

The most frequently mentioned complaint regarding Maison Borella concerns the noise level from the surrounding Navigli neighborhood, especially at night. Given its location in a popular entertainment district with many bars and restaurants, some guests reported experiencing considerable noise. The hotel is aware of this and even provides earplugs in rooms. While some guests found the lively atmosphere charming and had no trouble sleeping, others expressed significant disturbance. Aside from this, minor criticisms occasionally point to some furniture being "a bit old" or "relatively worn," but these instances appear to be less frequent and do not detract significantly from the overall positive experience.

Sources

1. michelin.com
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