Best Milan hotel for: stylish comforts that won’t break the bank

In a 19th-century residential apartment block, this delightful B&B mixes vintage and Art Deco and is within striking distance of the financial district of Porta Nuova. The apartment brims with character, decorated with finds that owners Marco and Fabio have acquired from their travels over the years (Indian rugs from Darjeeling; a Mexican statue depicting La Catrina; a palm-shaped lamp and wicker chairs from Barcelona), along with items of furniture passed down by family members. The rooms feature charming touches with playful designs including ochre flowered wallpaper and hand-painted Sicilian tiles in the bathrooms. We especially like the delightful terrace where breakfast is served during the warmer months of the year.

Address: LaFavia Milano, Via Carlo Farini 4, 20154 Milan, Italy

10. Ostello Bello

Best Milan hotel for: night owls on a budget

This lively hostel bursts with character, with knick-knacks and curios, snapped up at antique markets lending the interiors a homelike feel. It’s decidedly laid back, with some guests lounging about playing board games and others strumming tunes (there’s a piano and a few string guitars knocking about). Guests can bed down in private doubles or comfortable dorm rooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms, while the kitchen is stocked with freebies – fruits, greens, pasta – for guests to rustle up a meal when hunger strikes. The bar is hugely popular, hosting a myriad of regular events, with quiz nights, poetry slams and live music gigs attracting a local international crowd.

Address: Ostello Bello, Via Medici 4, 20123 Milan, Italy

11. Locanda Pandenus

Best Milan hotel for: affordable chic

You’d be forgiven for missing the entrance of this little bolthole tucked away above a bustling bistro-slash-café. Squeeze your way past the busy bar to the sound of coffee machines humming and whirring and head upstairs to this hideaway with only four rooms. You’ll find thick velvets in bold hues of terracotta and turquoise, retro geometric motifs and smart fabric wall coverings, while the elegant bathrooms with monsoon showers are fitted with white and black marble to exude a timeless appeal. There’s an itsy-bitsy lounge where you can sit back and unwind although the action is at the bistro – pop downstairs for a bite or an aperitivo as the sun begins to set.

Address: Locanda Pandenus, Via Mercato 24, 20121 Milan, Italy