Highlights

• Opulent rooms and luxury branded decor
• Central location next to the train station and business district.
• Fine cuisine and elegant bars.
• Unique high-end spa facilities.

Background

The Excelsior Hotel Gallia officially opened its doors in February 1932 when Carlo Gallia put his 15 years of extensive travel and hotel experience to practice. The hotel was designed to rival the finest hotels in Europe and for the better part of a century it has been a worthy gateway to the uber-fashionable Milan. Over the years the hotel has evolved with the modern traveler to reflect the latest trends while also embracing the timeless architecture that made it famous.

Experience

The Excelsior Hotel Gallia is perfectly situated in the center of the city. Right next to Milano Centrale railway station, it is easy to access the city by road, rail, or metro. Entering the lobby the sleek modern interior sharply contrasts the classic building design. A dominating chandelier spanning the height of the building sets the tone for the grandeur of the hotel.

There are 235 rooms and suites all opulently decorated with no expenses spared. I stayed in the Signature Suite which was stunning. Most of the designer furniture and finishings in the room were designed and manufactured in Milan and the rest were from other parts of Italy. Yes including the crème de la crème, Fendi. Walking into the suite, a hallway is connected to a separate living area with a couch facing a workspace and flatscreen television. The bedroom is comfy with a large king bed centered in the room and another television. Next door is the massive bathroom with a full bath, shower, his and her sinks, toilet, bidet and designer Trussardi toiletries. The room also comes with a butler service so every request is just a call away.

Premium Rooms are the smaller rooms offered and at 30 square meters, they are still spacious. Other rooms like the Prestige Room and Excelsior Room are a little more spacious but for longer stays I would recommend trying to book one of the Suites. The Katara Suite can rival any luxury apartment in Manhattan. It’s one of the largest hotel suites in Italy with over 1000 square meters of living space, which includes four bedrooms, a kitchenette, private spa, Jacuzzi, private meeting room, and two private terraces.

The Terrazza Gallia was recently opened and has quickly become the flagship restaurant of Excelsior Hotel Gallia. The view from the rooftop location is as breathtaking as the food. The Terrazza Gallia has brought in Michelin starred chefs to design a delicious menu featuring cuisine from the Lombardy region of Italy. Every dish on the menu is prepared with fresh ingredients. The bar area also serves small plates to accompany the extensive list of specialty cocktails. There is a private dining option which would make a great venue for a rehearsal dinner or business dinner. There are both indoor and outdoor private dining spaces with their own balconies. The walk-in wine cellars was an impressive space.

On the ground floor there is the Gallia Restaurant where guests are served breakfast every morning. In addition to an a la carte menu there is a live cooking station where chefs can accommodate any requests made for the morning meal. For just a quick cup of coffee or espresso the best place to stop is Gallia Bar & Lounge which is a classic Italian bar. They also serve an extensive list of cocktails and wines for afternoon or pre-dinner drinks. Nearby is the hotel’s Cigar Lounge which pairs the finest Cuban cigars with some of the most celebrated rums in a Maserati inspired room.

One of the best perks of staying in the Excelsior Hotel Gallia is access to the exclusive SHISEIDO SPA Milan which offers a full range of treatments for both women and men including facials, massages and Japanese bathing ceremonies. There is also a Private Spa Suite where couples can get pampered together. The spa is also where the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, 24 hour fitness rooms are located. The Fitness Center has panoramic views over the city so you’ll be jogging in the clouds. Personal trainers and Pilates instructors are available by request.

Milan has a reputation as a world-wide leader in style and beauty. The meeting and event facilities in the Excelsior Hotel Gallia certainly live up to the high standards of the city. There are 12 event and meeting spaces totaling over 1000 square meters that can accommodate any large group sizes. One of the most sought after rooms is The Duomo which is the largest columnless ballroom in Milan and can seat up to 420 guests. The room is stunning with elegant décor, soaring ceilings, and access to the Galleria Foyer which lets in tons of natural light and has private access to the street which is ideal for private events. A smaller option is La Scala which is just over half the size of The Duomo but maintains the sleek ambiance. For something more exclusive, Excelsior Hotel Gallia has La Cupola on the 7th floor which can be converted into a theater or for smaller banquets beneath the spectacular multi-faceted dome.

The staff of Excelsior Hotel Gallia was nothing less than extraordinary. The hotel was founded on superior service and it really shows. The staff was very proactive and made sure that every request was handled right away. The concierge was always on hand to arrange transportation (in their sleek Maserati), tours, and helping with local knowledge.

Almost a century ago Carlo Gallia built this hotel to be the ultimate experience in Europe and began a tradition that has lasted until today. The Excelsior Hotel Gallia is the epitome of luxury with beautiful marble, gold accents, designer furniture, supercar transports, and art-piece crystal chandeliers. Its thoughtfully designed rooms, first-rate amenities, excellent cuisine and the signature spa make the Excelsior Hotel Gallia one of the finest in Milan and I would highly recommend it to any discerning traveler.

Contact
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
Address: Piazza Duca D’Aosta, 9, 20124 Milano, Italy
Telephone: +39 02 67853781
Website: http://www.excelsiorhotelgallia.com/
Email: excelsior.hotelgallia@luxurycollection.com