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ENDLESS L U X U R Y
[ HOTEL DESIGN ]
by Désirée Sormani ph. courtesy of Marriott International
Reopened in 2015, the majestically-restored Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan, is an homage to Italy’s architectural greats. And for lovers of true grandeur there is even a 1,000 square metre suite….
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hen old and new coexist in absolute harmony, you’ll often find luxury in the mix too. This is the case with the up-
and-coming Porta Nuova district of Milan and the newly-renovated Excelsior Hotel Gallia, one of the great iconic examples of the city’s signature take on the Belle Époque look. Thanks to a multimillion euro investment by The Luxury Collection and its owners, this architectural gem was given a magical new lease of life in 2015. The historic building itself was completely restored and a new modern wing with a glass and steel facade added. We have renowned Milanese architect Marco Piva, who even put together a collection of 50 artworks comprising sculptures, paintings and photographs, to thank for the results. The interiors reflect the Milanese lifestyle and elegance of the Art Deco era with once-off pieces custom-made for the hotel by leading Italian designers and craftspeople. Guests arrive into a gorgeous 1930-inspired lobby with a magnificent 30-metrehigh De Majo Murano glass chandelier that lights the entire sevenfloor staircase. All the communal areas were fitted out by B&B Italia with aluminium, glass and marble the main materials.
Some shots of the communal areas in the Excelsior Hotel Gallia which were furnished by B&B Italia: clockwise from left, an exterior view of the entrance, the cigar room. Facing page, the dazzling chandelier that tumbles 30 metres through the antique seven-floor stairwell
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[ HOTEL DESIGN ]
Top, the lounge in the Katara Royal Suite. At 1,000 square
Guests have 235 luxury rooms, 53 of which are suites, to choose
metres, it is one of the largest royal suites in Italy and is on
from. The 1,000 square metre Katara Royal Suite is particularly
the seventh floor. The hotel also has a dazzling Shiseido spa
impressive and is one of the largest of its kind in Italy. Located on the
with gym and swimming pool in addition to an extensive
seventh floor, it affords two terraces, four bedrooms and a private
treatment menu. Below, the Himalayan salt room
spa. The two-bedroomed Gallia Presidential Suite has the ambience of a sophisticated, luxuriously-appointed home. There are also five Signature Suites, which pay tribute to Milan’s internationallyrenowned architects Vico Magistretti, Achille Castiglioni, Giò Ponti, Luigi Caccia Dominioni, and Franco Albini, and feature a design by each. All the rooms were elegantly furnished by Cassina Contract with the exception of the Katara Royal Suite which is by B&B Italia. The seventh floor has a restaurant with roof-top cocktail bar where chefs Vincenzo and Antonio Lebano, under the consultancy of the three Michelin Star Cerea brothers, bring a contemporary flourish to Italy and Lombardy’s great culinary classics. The hotel also has Italy’s first Shiseido spa, an enormous and truly sumptuous 1,000 square metres space complete with a swimming pool and gym. Oh and, of course, a Himalayan salt room. To ensure your visit to Milan will be a sensory experience that will live on long in your memory. www.excelsiorhotelgallia.com
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