What to expect: Three 19th-century townhouses and a small railway station were converted into this hotel in 1970. The result is an interesting mix of modern and traditional, with a wide variety of room styles. Shaped box hedges in terracotta pots line the pavement of the quiet street outside. The small marble-floored lobby is lined with original modern paintings, Turkish rugs, and a pyramid of green apples. International businesspeople and occasional tourists take coffee looking out to the courtyard garden before hitting the streets of Milan's financial district. Amenity highlights: A small courtyard garden, complete with sculptures and bright flowers, provides a shady, quiet place to relax. A meeting room seats 40 in theater style. Insider tip: The Picasso-like paintings in the lobby and meeting room - five in all - are by the Italian artist Ercole Pignatelli whose work has been exhibited worldwide, from New York to St Petersburg.