Aethos Milan

Loved this boutique hotel, every room is unique and full of interesting items. We stayed in the Polo room and loved it! The Doping Bar is really fun, so many interesting artefacts. I loved the dining room, which was more serene and the gym was fab. Just a 15 minute walk to the castle/cathedral and set in a quiet location. The staff were really welcoming and helpful. Thank you!

This was our second Aethos experience in 2 weeks and we will go for a third as soon as possible. Differently style than Sardinia, equally tasteful if not better. We only stayed for a short time but it was perfect. Very helpful staff, exquisite breakfast and a super cool bar and restaurant as well. The canal is across the street and Duomo is about 25 minutes walking distance. Also has parking which was very convenient.

Recently, my wife and I designed our own tour of Italy to celebrate our 20th anniversary, which concluded in Milan at the Aethos Milan Hotel, where we spent our final stay. The hotel had everything we were looking for — very unique and stylish, from the lobby and elevator to the rooms themselves. Each room has its own distinct style and theme, making the experience truly one of a kind. We couldn’t have chosen a better hotel or location. Everything was lovely. The host, both in the evening and in the morning, was welcoming, pleasant, and friendly. During checkout, they were very helpful, which made our trip to the airport much easier. Staying at this hotel was the perfect way to end our Italian tour.

Cool Vibe, But Service Needs Work This place has an incredibly unique bar, think vintage adventure lodge with leather sofas, antique wood, and even animal trophies. The atmosphere is straight out of a Hemingway novel, and at first glance, it feels like stepping into another era. But the service? Hit or miss. Some bartenders were fun and engaging, while others seemed distracted or even a little careless. I rolled with it, but one moment really stuck with me: I asked about a large framed portrait displayed prominently in the bar (you’d think it had a story, right?). One server offhandedly said, "Oh, that’s my cousin," like it was a joke which felt dismissive. The front desk said they’d ask the owner, but by checkout, no answer. It left me wondering—if the staff doesn’t care about the details, is the whole "vintage charm" just for show? For a hotel that isn’t cheap, it’s surprising they don’t polish the hospitality. The vibe is undeniably cool, but the lack of warmth and attention makes it feel more like a themed set than a place with real history. Final verdict? Worth a drink for the atmosphere, but don’t expect thoughtful service.

We chose to stay at Aethos Milan based on the location, the unique style of the hotel, the room sizes, and its boutique Soho House vibe. The hotel is small, but has a number of nice sitting areas and lounges to socialize or work, a small cafe, and a nice bar in the evenings. Our room was great - spacious, bright, with a kitchenette and a small balcony. Our breakfast was included with the room and it was amazing every day. No need for a massive buffet, just all of the right things to have a healthy breakfast along with a gourmet a la carte menu, also included in the breakfast rate. So many hotels overdo this part of the experience, so it was nice to see how great it was. Excellent avocado toast and eggs benedict! We spent a week at the hotel and used Milan as our base to visit surrounding cities, so we got to know the staff quite well, which is also a big selling point for the hotel. Everyone working the front desk and and breakfast area was always very friendly to us, even on the days when we admittedly arrived to breakfast just before closing ;-) Housekeeping was always very prompt to pick up laundry or deliver extra bottles of water to our room and pretty much everyone we encountered on the property was very friendly. I'd like to give a special mention to our ladies working the breakfast area - they do an amazing job every morning. The front desk staff was always helpful to answer questions, help with dinner reservations, book a taxi if we needed it, and just always took a personal approach to speak with us and other guests we also witnessed. A special mention to Edith who just happened to be on duty whenever we needed something and was always willing to help with a smile. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Milan.

Room Functionality and Storage We booked a suite intended to accommodate four guests, although we would have preferred a standard room. Unfortunately, the suite (Wicket) was not adequately equipped for four people and seemed to be designed more as a hosting space for a couple/events vs to accommodate 4 (2 adults + 2 kids). The closet space was extremely minimal, with only five hangers and no drawers, leaving our kids who were using the second bed with no practical way to unpack (nor us). Despite requesting additional hangers on day one (received on day two after a reminder), the storage provided remained insufficient for even a short stay. Hot Water Supply We experienced persistent issues with the hot water. The water was warm but never hot, and the supply lasted only a few minutes with the first shower use (and not for any subsequent shower use for anyone else). This meant only one person could shower with warm water per day, and for three days, we had no hot showers. Although the issue was reported and checked, it was never resolved during our stay. Sustainability? We requested a carafe of water at the bar & restaurant which was available at other hotel touchpoints but denied at the bar and restaurant, where only disposable branded bottled water was offered. This inconsistency contradicts the hotel’s stated commitment to sustainability. On a positive note, we enjoyed the hotel’s design aesthetic, the quality of the food, and the friendly reception team. We shared our constructive feedback with the manager and requested a room rate adjustment due to the unsatisfactory experience; however, we were informed that the hotel does not respond to guest concerns or offer compensation, but that our feedback would be discussed internally for improvements. I hope this review helps future guests make an informed decision, understanding that any issues they encounter may not be adequately addressed.

Stayed here for 2 nights and loved this hotel. The staff were amazing from the moment we stepped into the hotel which of course set a lovely tone for our stay. The staff provided us with great restaurant recommendations and were very accommodating. We also had a great room that was comfortable, modern and spacious. This hotel is very conveniently located for walking to sites, restaurants and shopping. We will definitely stay here again.

This experience was far from what one would expect—especially at a rate of €300 per night, where a certain level of quality should be a given. The room was entirely themed around hunting, which, while already questionable in taste, was taken to an unfortunate extreme: a dead bird was left just outside the window—fitting the theme, perhaps, but not exactly welcoming. (Satirical remark.) The room had an unpleasant odor and was visibly dusty. The bedding was similarly unclean, with a noticeable smell and irritating texture. The bathroom was shockingly dirty, and even the bedside light switches were grimy. Overall, the property felt neglected and run-down. Even at a lower price point, I would not recommend staying here. And theming a guest room in a safari or hunting style, complete with depictions of weapons, is a highly questionable design choice.