Room Mate Giulia

Room Mate Giulia is a design hotel in an unbeatable position, just steps from the Duomo and beside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It belongs to the Spanish Room Mate group, known for stylish, good-value hotels in city centres, and its interiors are by the Milan-based Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, one of the best-known names in contemporary furniture design. The result is bright, playful and very much in tune with the city's design culture.

The hotel has 85 rooms across several categories. They are compact rather than large, as is normal in this part of Milan, but cleverly planned, with bold colours, patterned fabrics and designer furniture. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Rooms facing the inner side of the building are usually quieter than those on the street.

Breakfast is a continental buffet served from 7am until noon, which suits travellers who like a slow start, and it includes gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. The hotel does not have a full restaurant, but that hardly matters in an area packed with cafés, bars and restaurants for every budget, from Luini's panzerotti around the corner to the historic bars of the Galleria.

Prices sit in the upper middle range for Milan, reasonable for the location, though they rise during fashion weeks and Design Week. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with friendly staff who can suggest places to eat and help with sightseeing plans.

Because the hotel is right in the centre, it is easy to drop bags off between sightseeing and shopping, and to return for a rest before dinner. Milan charges a city tourist tax per person per night, which is usually paid at the hotel and is not always included in online prices, so check the total when you book.

Room Mate Giulia suits couples, solo travellers and design lovers who want to walk everywhere and prefer personality to classic luxury. Families can book larger rooms, but space is limited compared with hotels outside the centre. The Duomo stop on metro lines M1 and M3 is a couple of minutes' walk away, giving direct connections to Centrale station and Cadorna for the Malpensa Express. La Scala, the Palazzo Reale and the Museo del Novecento are all within a five-minute walk, so it is an excellent base for a short first visit to the city.