THE outstandingly stylish Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan recently re-opened after the completion of an extensive restoration over the last four years. The award-winning Milan-based studio, Marco Piva, has re-created the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, as an ultra-modern urban retreat with an art-deco twist – in recognition of the hotel’s 1932 inception.
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The hotel is located in the heart of the new Porta Nuova commercial district, adjacent to the central train station, and is only a 10-minute taxi ride into the centre of Milan (or using the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service). The location is ideal for patrons who wish to enjoy the city, but also to retreat to a quieter urban environment at the end of the day.
The grand entrance of this hotel uniquely exudes both an historic sense of grandeur and a futuristic feel. The exquisite use of materials in all their forms – predominantly metal, glass, and marble – is immediately striking upon entering the Excelsior Hotel Gallia.
The lobby at Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The hotel comprises two buildings – the newly restored historic palace and a completely new wing with a modern façade, complete with 12 meeting rooms for conferences and private functions. These two buildings, connected by a walkway with large boutique windows from Montenapoleone Street, fuse the hotel’s glorious past with the emerging commercial skyline of the neighbourhood.
Above the original grand staircase hangs the piece de resistance – a unique cascading Murano glass chandelier that was especially made for the hotel by De Majo; it depicts a huge waterfall and is composed of 180 light cylinders that illuminate and enhance the eight-story monumental stairwell.
Chandelier Excelsior at the Hotel Gallia
Much of the inspiration from the hotel was drawn from Milanese designers, including the late Castiglioni, as well as from some of the most significant buildings to be found in Milan, in particular La Scala Theatre, Vittorio Emanuele Gallery and the stunning Villa Necchi Campiglio. A huge array of spectacular artworks can be admired throughout the hotel, with paintings, photographs and sculptures lining the walls, evoking the strong ambience of art and design.
The 235 guestrooms feature state-of-the-art technology and are furnished in soothing and rich neutral shades of cream, taupe and chocolate brown. The huge bed is adorned with a high leather padded headboard, creating the most luxurious sleep environment, and the bathrooms are swathed in marble and mirrors, with cleverly designed mood lighting throughout. Trussadi, the established Italian designer brand, collaborated with the hotel to produce its first exclusive range of luxury bath products.
Fondazione Achille Castiglioni at Excelsior Hotel Gallia
A feature of this hotel is its extraordinary collection of 53 themed out-of-this world suites, including the exclusive Gallia suite on the fifth floor and the unique Katara Suite on the seventh floor. This is a gargantuan and lavish space – one of the largest presidential suites in Italy – and offers four bedrooms, including two terraces, a private spa and a princess suite, with the bed adorned in an elaborate and unique curtain of Swarovski crystals, suspended from the ceiling, and creating a most extraordinary sparkling halo of light.
An Excelsior Room at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The hotel’s rooftop mixologist bar and signature restaurant, Terrazza Gallia, located on the seventh floor, will be overseen by the renowned Cerea family. With the three Michelin-star duo, Enrico and Roberto Cerea, providing culinary guidance, diners can enjoy the best Lombard cuisine while admiring panoramic views over Milan. The bar’s huge oversized purple and cream suede Chesterfield sofas – not so practical but absolutely stunning and hugely luxurious – make an immediate visual impact. The Excelsior Hotel Gallia is all about unadulterated luxury – and there’s lots of it.
A Private Suite In The Spa Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The hotel also boasts the extravagant Shiseido Spa, which is the largest hotel spa in Milan spanning over two floors. On offer is a wide range of beauty and wellness treatments, with access to the hotel’s swimming pool and an impressively well-equipped fitness area.
The Gallia Suite Living Room at the Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The Excelsior Hotel Gallia, fast becoming an iconic landmark, is the place to stay or visit when in Milan. Whether for business or pleasure, this hotel will guarantee your trip is a truly memorable one.
by Amanda Bernstein
Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Piazza Duca D’Aosta 9, Milan, 20124, Italy
Phone: +39 02 6785 1 email: excelsior.hotelgallia@luxurycollection.com