We booked this hotel following a review in the Frommers guide, it has clearly changed management since the glowing write up that inspired us to stay there. The lift was out of order, the receptionist claimed no knowledge of this mal function, simply shrugged and said we'd have to use the stairs, to our room...... a twin room that certainly didn't live up to the recent refurbishment suggested in the guidebook. It was 70's retro and not in a stylish sense. The beds were narrow, metal framed beds you'd expect in hostel accommodation, not in a hotel claiming to be 3 star in the centre of Milan. The bed side lights didn't work, the water was hot enough for one shower, there was no safe, we didn't even bother with breakfast, the dining area smelt of stale smoke, was pokey and overshadowed by an imposing TV. And all of this for £100? Still the bed bugs came for free - this is no joke.

We selected the Hotel Rovello for a three night stay in early October based on a description in Frommer's guidebook. The location is fantastic -- just a few minutes walk from the Via Dante pedestrian mall which connects the Duomo and the castle, and walking distance to the train station for the Malpensa express airport train. It is tucked away on a quiet side street, so you avoid the noise of the nearby trams. It has an unusual set-up with no ground floor lobby -- you have to go up to the second floor (European first floor) to a small lobby to check in. Our room was on the floor above the lobby and faced the street. The room was spacious and clean, as was the bathroom. The bathroom had a small stall shower, and was equipped with a hair dryer. There were a few problems with the room -- bedside reading lamps were dim; the TV was not working properly; and although advertised, there was no internet capability. The breakfast room is very small, and offers only a minimal Continental breakfast. The desk staff spoke English, and were helpful with restaurant suggestions (the Rovello restaurant right below the hotel is very good). The 120 Euro/night rate seemed reasonable for a hotel in a prime Milan location. I would recommend this hotel for someone looking for a moderately priced hotel in a great location, who is not as concerned with hotel amenities. For more amenties (probably at double the price), I would try the the Una Hotel Cusani around the corner, which looked very nice from the street.

We arrived on a cold rainy September night at midnight. The hotel is lobby is on the second floor of what seems to be an office building. The elevator stank of urine. The front desk guy was perfectly polite, but gave us the creeps. The room was clean but depressing. We were exhausted so we weren't about to find another place in the wee hours in the rain. Fortunately, the hotel is a 10 minute walk to Cardona train station, so the next morning, we took the US$12 train to the airport - a huge savings over a US$95 taxi ride.

If you're looking for a substandard hotel room, this place is for you! If you love bad lighting, sub par bedding and a claustrophobic room...this is the place. Too busy to take a shower on your fun-filled Milan vacation? No worries, the water in the shower works only some days. Can't get enough of the smell of urine? Ride the elevator all day long...you'll have your fill. Hate friendly chitchat with front desk employees? Perfect...the people who work here are completely unburdened by any sense of charm. Note they ask you to pay in advance and they have no plans on refunding your moola if you’re unhappy. So, hang onto your hard earned Euros and stay somewhere else!Robin