Simon Botto shares his insight on visiting the Italian city of Milan for business, and offers some suggestions for where to eat, sleep and meet
How do you get to Milan? Is there a hub airport nearby, good road and rail connections?
Milan has its own airport which is just a short train ride away the city centre, so it’s very easy to travel to.
Is the city
well-served by public transport and taxi services? Are there any interesting
ways of getting around?
Public transport in Milan is great. There’s a Metro which runs across the city and is really straightforward to navigate, and there are also buses and trams above ground. If you’re staying around the centre where all the best architecture is, Milan is very walkable.
Could your recommend any business hotels in Milan?
Acca Palace is lovely and close to the Affori Centro Metro Station. I also really like STRAFhotel which is perfect both for relaxing in a lovely room and conducting meetings; it’s also right by the duomo (cathedral) in the city centre. Both hotels have spacious meeting rooms, which you can hire out (whether you’re staying there or not).
What accommodation options are there for those travelling on a shoestring?
The Best Hotel is affordable and in a prime location, right by Milan’s Central Station. I’d also recommend the Mercure Milano Regency. I’ve stayed there before and it’s always reliable, plus you can book it by the hour, if you just need a base between meetings or somewhere to sleep off the jet-lag.
Could you suggest any shared-working venues for business visitors, or coffee shops where they could catch up on paperwork?
Otto is located in the Chinatown district and is a personal favourite. The food is great and it’s nice and bright inside with great decor, so it’s the ideal spot for meeting people or just relaxing for 20 minutes on a busy day in the city.
With which industries is Milan associated?
Some of Milan’s key industries are fashion, publishing and finance. Tourism is also a big one, of course.
What interesting businesses and
organisations are based in Milan?
The Borsa Italiana, Italy’s only stock exchange, is located in Milan. Most major Italian fashion houses are also based there, as is Italy’s largest bank, UniCredit.
Could you recommend a venue for a lunch meeting in Milan?
Filippo La Mantia does great food, but in an interesting twist on Italian food, it cooks without garlic and onions. It does an amazing buffet menu at lunchtime meaning there’s something for everyone.
And where would suggest holding a client dinner?
Un Posto a Milano is a great restaurant in a
restored 18th Century farmhouse, and has amazing food, style and atmosphere. In
the summer you can dine outside on the patio, and in the winter, sit in the
back room where there’s a big fireplace. It’s a great little oasis in the heart
of the city.
Where could visitors have drinks with colleagues after a day of meetings in Milan?
La Chiesetta is a great bar in Chinatown which is inside an 18th-century church. It’s the perfect setting for a drink and serves some fun themed cocktails.
Are there any challenging aspects or downsides to Milan for business travellers that should be taken into account?
Milan is extremely popular with tourists, so bear this in mind when getting to meetings or walking through with clients.
Taxes can also be confusing and seemingly bureaucratic – companies can be required to make up to 15 payments a year – so it’s worth factoring this into your budget if you’re basing yourself there.
Tell us a bit about some of the unmissable attractions in Milan.
Milan’s cathedral, il duomo, is a must-visit, and I’d also recommend the Castelo Sforzesco for some history. The Museo del Novocento also houses some brilliant art, and if art fans should definitely visit Leonardo da Vinci’s house and vineyard. It’s pretty exciting.
Can you give some insider information
about some hidden treasures outside the tourist haunts?
The Via Teraggio garden is a lovely place to relax after a long day, and there are no signs so it can be hard to find, and is therefore little known. The Santa Maria presso San Satiro church is also beautiful and well worth visiting, despite having an unassuming exterior.
Are there any unmissable activities business travellers should incorporate into their visit?
If you’re lucky enough to be in Milan during Milan Design Week in April, there are always lots of brilliant tech exhibitions which can provide great inspiration. I’d also recommend watching an opera or ballet at the Teatro alla Scala one evening if you get the opportunity; it’s a great way to pass an evening if you’re travelling to Milan alone.
Are there any local dishes that visitors should try?
Risotto alla Milanese is super rich and flavoured with plenty of butter, saffron and white wine. It’s usually an Italian first course and always seems popular with tourists.
What do you love about Milan?
I love Milan primarily for its style, its people and its modernity (compared to many other Italian cities). It’s a real cultural and industrial hub and when I’m there I feel as though I’m a part of something bigger, so it’s a great place to do business.
Why would you recommend Milan as a place to do business?
It’s warm, it’s beautiful, and the people are passionate – about food, art, and their work. Milan is an extremely dynamic and creative place in which to conduct business and this can be inspiring and motivating, particularly if your business is small.
Simon Botto, CEO and co-founder of DayBreakHotels
DayBreakHotels provides hotel rooms and other luxury facilities at a fraction of the standard room-per-night price, by making them available for six to eight hour reservations. Additional facilities such as spas, gyms and meeting rooms can be booked individually or in a package. The platform has more than 3,000 hotels to choose from globally.
