Well located. Obliging staff. Smells. Run down. They advertise they have Internet but don't.

Our group of 4 stayed in 2 twin rooms in this hotel in September 2011. Average rate per night for peak season (F1 GP weekend) was €200 per night per room which for this great location is not unreasonable. Parking was extra. However, for a 4* hotel and that sort of money in Milan I would expect wireless internet in rooms (only wired available), aircon that didn't sound like it was going to take off(!) not really making sleeping easy and a shower that doesn't struggle for water pressure. Overall ambience in the rooms was a bit tired. Having said that, one of the two rooms was much better than the other (without air con noise problem). Otherwise, the location is excellent for historic centre, shops, metro station and the staff was very friendly and spoke good English.

This hotel is not much to look at from the outside, or the lobby for that matter (the word "modest" comes to mind) but it met all of major requirements and then some. First, as many reviewers note, it has a wonderful location. Even if you aren't into shopping or interested in touring the Duomo, the neighborhood is full of people, cafes and restaurants. It's fun just to walk around. The hotel room itself was 60's decor but well designed and solidly built. The place may be a bit old by American standards but money was spent on furnishing it. the size of our room was perfectly fine, big enough for the bed (which was comfortable) and two upholstered chairs with lots of closet and countertop space. The bathroom was fairly large, all the plumbing worked well and everything was vry clean. The buffet breakfast was definitely a major plus of this hotel. It was very generously stocked (ham, bacon, eggs prepared a number of ways, cereals, cheeses, lots of fresh fruit, and a huge assortment of baked goods) and the room in which it was served was quite lovely. The waitresses in the restaurant and the staff in general were friendly and helpful.

One of the best things about this hotel were the electric shutters on the windows. Milan was our first stop in Italy and after flying all night when we arrived at the Galileo we were beat. It was full daylight outside and since the hotel is in a busy neighborhood there was a fair amount of noise coming in through the windows. Those fabulous shutters completely shut out the light and noise (and I am a very light sleeper) so that we were able to get a peaceful "day's" sleep and begin our Italian venture well rested.

I would definitely go back to the Galileo. It might not be the most beautiful or modern hotel but it had everything that was important to us and it was a terrific value as well.

When your room air conditioner malfunctions during the night, you complain to the director, who, in this case, was
Francesco Ponessa, an outstanding administrator. He
ordered immediate repair, assured us of a different room if
repair unsatisfactory and provided the most elegant and
enjoyable dinner we ever had in a half century of travel.







francesco