We stayed during our trip to Milan for the Bruno Mars Romantic Tour because its location was hard…read moreto beat. If your goal is to be within walking distance of the Fashion District, great restaurants, cafés, and shopping, this hotel is in an excellent location.
Now, if you're used to modern U.S. hotels, keep in mind that many European hotels have an older, more traditional style, and this one definitely falls into that category. The lobby furniture was very dated, with cracked leather seating that could use replacing. The carpet also looked like it had seen better days, although the hotel itself was clean and our room smelled fresh.
The beds were extremely firm almost like sleeping on a board. The bathroom had an older-style bidet and a high Jacuzzistyle tub/shower combo. Because I have knee issues, stepping over the tall tub wasn't ideal, and I would recommend requesting a walk in shower if they have one available. One minor issue we experienced was that I accidentally bumped the bathroom door frame, and the trim actually fell off.
The room did include a small refrigerator, and they offered drinks and snacks, which was convenient. They also have a small restaurant and bar on-site, although we didn't use either during our stay.
One thing that took some getting used to was that there was only one room key for the room. Since there were two of us and we often went our separate ways, whoever left the hotel had to leave the key at the front desk for the other person. At first, I thought that would be a hassle, but the front desk assured us they could still let us into room if the other person had the key. That gave us some peace of mind.
The funniest part of the entire stay happened at check in. Instead of computers, they pulled out a giant reservation book, used a ruler to find our names, crossed us off the list, and then handed us an actual room key from a wall full of hanging keys! We laughed so hard because it felt like stepping back in time. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I'd used a physical hotel key.
One thing that became a little frustrating was that once the bar closed, we were often told they couldn't provide ice because "the bar is closed." Since I needed ice every evening for my knee after walking all over Milan, that was a bit inconvenient. However, whenever they were able to help, the staff was kind and accommodating and items were brought up to our room quickly. They also arranged taxis quickly, and we never experienced much of a language barrier.
Overall, we spent very little time in the hotel we were out exploring Milan from morning until night and really only came back to sleep. If you're looking for luxury, modern décor, or upscale amenities, this probably isn't the hotel for you. But if you're looking for a clean, reasonably priced place in an amazing location close to shopping, restaurants, and the Fashion District, Hotel Brueski gets the job done.
Would I stay here again? I'm honestly not sure. The location was fantastic, but next time I might spend a little more for a more modern hotel. If location is your priority over aesthetics, though, this hotel is definitely worth considering.
