Palazzo Cordusio

A brand-new address in town has already reshaped Piazza Cordusio, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic hubs, acting as a symbolic trait d’union between the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco. This is Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá, a luxury hotel with a sophisticated, contemporary style that offers travellers an exceptional stay literally under the Madonnina, and, thanks to its four dining concepts, welcomes locals just as warmly. The hotel, the first Gran Meliá property in Milan and the second in Italy after Rome, is housed in the historic Generali headquarters: Palazzo Venezia, built in an eclectic style between 1897 and 1901 to designs by architect Luca Beltrami.

The delicate renovation, which included heritage-listed sections, was overseen by Generali Real Estate and MHI with the support of Studio Marco Piva. It featured a major conservation project on the monumental staircase, where the wall and floor marbles were restored to their original splendour, alongside the original portal inscribed with ‘Assicurazioni Generali’ and the mosaic lunette.

Palazzo Cordusio now welcomes guests with 84 rooms and suites, most with large windows and some with private balconies offering striking views over Piazza Cordusio, Castello Sforzesco, via dei Mercanti and the Duomo. Studio Asah took charge of the interior design for the rooms and communal areas, finishing them with Rubelli fabrics and patterns alongside furnishings from leading Italian design houses such as Molteni, Cassina, Fornasetti, Flos, Oluce and Foscarini, paired with international names.

The hotel’s dining offering, curated by Sunset Hospitality Group, spans four distinct concepts: from the patisserie Gioia to the spectacular cocktail bar set in the Giardino Cordusio inner courtyard, Isola, a restaurant serving specialities inspired by the islands of southern Italy, and SACHI, a Japanese fine dining restaurant with a spacious dining room and an incredible garden terrace overlooking the Duomo.

Wellness facilities complete the picture: an intimate wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, sensory showers, ice waterfall and relaxation space, alongside a gym fully equipped with Technogym machines.