The Scene

It is a known fact that Milan has a hotel conundrum. While many new luxury brands have opened in the last few years, there are very few great boutique hotels. That is, until now. Casa Brivio, nestled in the heart of Milan’s centro storico, at the crossroads of two unassuming streets, is a sophisticated non-hotel hotel that makes you feel like a Milanese local — with a great address.

The 16-room property is the most authentic expression of modern day Milan, from interiors that pay tribute to 20th-century Milanese residences, to the fact that the entire city is walking distance from its discreet doorstep. From the rooms, one can spy the legendarily elegant and sometimes elusive Milanese sciure: the mature, meticulously put together women who are the emblem and essence of the city. And even they seem to approve.

The Proprietors

Casa Brivio literally means “Brivio’s house,” which reflects the true origins of the property: the palazzo of the Brivio Sforza family. Cousins Filippo and Alberico Brivio Sforza, the latest generation of the historic Milanese family, decided to transform their family’s 15th century residence into a modern and sophisticated hotel, opening the doors earlier this year. The Brivio Sforza family has been linked to the city of Milan for over 570 years, making them one of the city’s most historic and prominent families. Across the decades, their esteemed members have been governors, bishops, judges, and held important military ranks. Today? Patrons of thoughtful hospitality who know the spirit of the city better than anyone.

The Design

It’s the inside that counts here. While housed in an unremarkable boxy apartment block, the interior design of this property is the real draw. Helmed by Matteo Thun & Partners — a notable Milanese architecture and interiors firm known for The Langham Venice, the Altstadt Vienna, and objects like the Illy Coffee “nude cup” — features pay tribute to Milan’s greatest modernist designers from Gio Ponti to Luigi Caccia Dominioni to Piero Portaluppi. For example, while an elevator leads to the various floors, we recommend taking the original spiral staircase, a Caccia Dominioni-inspired feature, adorned with Murano glass lamps. Another lies in the reception, a celebration of the austere and elegant Milanese entryways, with a rhombus pattern on the ceiling and wall boiserie paying tribute to Gio Ponti.

The Crowd

Being a non-hotel hotel, Casa Brivio is the perfect place for people who want to feel like they have a pied-a-terre in Milan, a comfortable room in a central location that makes the city easily accessible. Owners Filippo and Alberico shared that during this year’s Salone del Mobile, guests included other hoteliers in Milan who needed a place to stay as their own properties were fully booked. All to say, while not yet known to the wider crowds, this place is well positioned to become the insider’s pick come next Salone.

The Rooms

Full of rich jewel tones and stately floor-to-ceiling windows, the room feels intimate and moody, grounded in the exacting lines and flair of 1970s modernism. Although different in dimension, all rooms are furnished with custom Cassina elements and the spacious bathrooms are tiled with terrazzo floors. Our favorite rooms are Suite Number Five, the first room designed in Casa Brivio featuring a unique, silk-coated closet, and the Corner Suite, which looks over both roads upon which Casa Brivio sits: Via Olmetto and Via Cornaggia.

The Service

Casa Brivio’s service is warm and cheerful without being over the top. It’s discrete yet always at hand. One of our favorite details is the illustrated map and guide you are handed upon check-in: Casa Brivio’s very own address book of where to eat, shop, and explore around Milan. There is even an entire chapter dedicated to pastry shops. Also included is a guide to Milanese vocabulary, essential words you need to know when visiting the city, like ape which stands for aperitivo and cappuccio, Milanese slang for a cappuccino. On the pages that follow is a breakdown of each of the city’s neighborhoods and what makes them all unique and worth visiting.

The Food & Drink

As Milan is an ever-growing metropolis, a vast array of exciting dining options is always available. Casa Brivio is well situated to explore the best of it, offering a few dining partnerships outside its walls. (Milan’s not a city made for dining in your hotel.) They currently rely on two fun initiatives for breakfast, although an in-house bistro and bar are soon to come. If you’re a room service kind of person, a pastel green box of pastries, orange juice, and delicacies all beautifully wrapped by Marchesi 1824 — perhaps the most iconic pasticceria in Milan — are delivered to your door. If you’re all about catching the morning’s fresh air, a few minutes walk leads you to Via Stampa Bistrot, a sleek and French-inspired new restaurant which serves full breakfasts, eggs, omelets and the best cookies in Milan. Breakfast here is included in the room rate.

Wellness

As of now, Casa Brivio offers no wellness experiences on property. However, if longing for a sauna or relaxing massaging after a day out and about, the hotel recommends nearby spa YouOff (not included in the room rate).

The Impact

Alongside the soon-to-come dining options within Casa Brivio, a coworking and event space is underway — an additional celebration of Casa Brivio’s connection to the city’s creative community — where food, creative programming, and more will be unveiled.

Beyond

One of the best elements of Casa Brivio is its strategic location — right between Colonne di San Lorenzo and Torre Velasca. Some of our favorite spots in the neighborhood are Confine Pizza, a recently opened restaurant that entirely redefines the concept of pizza, dishing up some incredible flavor combinations and perfectly-cooked crusts. To walk off the pizza, we love wandering by Colonne di San Lorenzo, ancient Roman ruins that used to act as one of the gates of Milan. For breakfast — or when you crave feeling like sciura yourself — Marchesi’s original shop in Corso Magenta is our go-to, where a slice of Panettone or fried chiacchiere during Carnival season always hits the spot. Marchesi also has its own adjacent cultural highlight, the church of San Maurizio Maggiore, whose awe-inspiring frescoes give it the nickname “Milan’s Sistine Chapel.”

Drawbacks

To be clear, this isn’t a 5 star hotel. It’s a boutique stay. So for travelers seeking those on-site amenities, this isn’t the place for you. However, for an immersive experience and a true reflection of modern and modernist Milan, it’s a blessed relief.