Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa

Though it’s named for Paris, and its rooms were designed by none other than Pierre-Yves Rochon, this is a hotel that could only happen in Milan. Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa is a monument to the sort of opulence that emerges at the intersection of Italy’s fashion and finance industries; its owner, architect Paola Giambelli, has created a unique independent hotel that’s on a level with any of the established luxury players, and as memorable as any boutique.

The entry, with its marble columns and grand staircase, is as imposing as they come. And upstairs, the rooms and suites come in two flavors: a contemporary Milanese luxury look and a more ornate Parisian style. Beneath the surface, of course, they’ve got almost everything in common; terraces and balconies are universal, as are luxurious bathrooms stocked with Clarins products.

Downstairs, the Moroccan-style Grand Spa lives up to its name, and Palazzo Parigi’s dining venues include an impressive gastronomic restaurant as well as the bistrot-style Caffé Parigi and a garden that’s set up for cocktails, coffee and tea, and the occasional private dinner. It’s a spectacularly located hotel, with easy access to the art-centric Brera, the Via Montenapoleone fashion district, and the modern financial center at Porta Nuova, and it serves as something of a magnet for the denizens of all three.