Checking In: Grand Hotel et de Milan

Built in 1863, the privately-owned boutique hotel best known as the Milanese house of Giuseppe Verdi, where the lauded composer wrote “Othello” and “The Falstaff” exquisitely combines history, charm and elegance for travellers looking to experience the culture and history of Milan.

Set in the very heart of the city on Via Manzoni, just five minutes from the Duomo Cathedral, La Scala Opera House and an array of tempting high end shops, the Grand Hotel et de Milan features a selection of classically elegant rooms featuring 18th century touches.

This is a place to explore the city and then return and indulge – at Gerry’s Bar and the American bar, guests can enjoy coffees, aperitif and cocktails. Dinner choices vary from the gourmet Don Carlos restaurant, bedecked with paintings and sketches of La Scala, and serving an unashamedly traditional Italian menu, complemented by an incredible wine list taken from the cellar, which contains the remains of a Roman wall dating back to 250AD. For a more informal bite, alfresco dining and hearty Milanese dishes are on offer at the charming Caruso.

Event planners will be delighted with the stylish and pleasingly named spaces – Puccini can host 200 for receptions, Giordano will suit theatre-style meetings for 50 while the diminutive Verdi is perfect for banquets for up to 40 people.