Starhotels Tourist, Milan

Advantages: location + breakfast
Disadvantages: poor services

...Starhotels Splendido it's by far the first hotel to AVOID when you're in Milan. The first memory I'll have of this hotel is that I've got my digital camera stolen, obviously by some of the hotel staff since I didn't have any guests and the room was always locked. I filled a complaint with the local police but with no hope to get something recovered. I've contacted my company to try to do the check-out earlier than predicted as I don't feel safe here anymore. I'm not comfortable with the idea that they spent almost 20 000 euro for me and my colleague accommodation (almost 3 months here, it really was a hell) and I've got robbed. Other leak points: the rooms are very small (I think the ad photos from their site were taken at another hotel) and noisy (the subway is just under the hotel + the rooms are not well isolated). Some of the front... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Vibrant, cosmopolitan city and stunningly beautiful lakes
Disadvantages: Pricey, dirty and plagued by annoying gypsies

...successfully integrated, others have not – and it shows. In every Italian town of any size there are large numbers of gypsies, and Milan is no exception. These people seem to be spending all their time begging for money and harassing virtually anybody who happens to stop to have something at a café or restaurant, particularly those perceived to be tourists. This is a significant public nuisance and can be rather intimidating as the gypsies are often insistent and stubborn. At least the many Africans and Philipinos who inhabit the city prefer to sell small goods of various kinds and do not beg. Be careful! LAKE LUGANO: Lugano is a small town in the Italian speaking Ticino canton of Switzerland. To all intents and purposes it is no different from anywhere in northern Italy: the architecture is the same, the people speak and look Italian... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Clean, safe, elegant, friendly
Disadvantages: None I can think of - perhaps lack of taxis

...'ll be interesting to see how the city changes between January and May in more ways than the weather. I expect things will be busier, but I wonder if it'll be so hassle-free in peak tourist season!? Few more snippets for the road before I go: -The Brera district is worth a look - even just to see the cacophony of tarot/crystal ball readers who adorn the twisty narrow streets. Great bars there too. -La Scala is closed til around Autumn, so don't book to see a ballet or an opera if the main reason you are going is to see the amazing La Scala interior - otherwise you'll get fobbed off on a second-rate theatre somewhere on the outskirts of town. -Milan people will do their very best to communicate with you even if they don't speak a word of English. Through hand gestures alone they manage to express that the tobacconists is second street... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful