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| Grand Hotel et
de Milan |
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| Milan,
Italy |
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Society - Extraordinary
April - 2006 |
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6 Stars
& 5 Stripes
Hotel & Service |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes™ |
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We landed at Malpensa airport and took a taxi to the
Grand Hotel et de Milan which is located in the very center of the striking
city, on the famous Via Montenapoleone; a forty-five minute ride from this
pulsing international airport. The often-misused phrase 'location, location'
comes to full term considering that this one- of-a-kind historic hotel is just
a stone-throw away from the world famous stages of La Scala and the
breathtaking Duomo Cathedral. The teeming colorful Artist's Quarters and the
elegant Royal Palace provide the vital energy that circulates through the
meridians feeding the Grand Hotel et de Milan.
The scent of freshly cut
exotic flowers pulled us fortuitously into these impressive halls as the
welcoming entrance doors opened almost magically. Check in was quick and
painless while a dignified female valet was assigned to guided us with great
ease into the dark paneled elevator and finally to our accommodations on the
4th floor overlooking the Via Manzoni. Our junior suite # 405 was decorated
with fabulous antiques and exquisite reproductions. |
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| "You are where you want to be!" ~ TB |
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| Ever since it's opening year
1863, the Grand Hotel et de Milan has been the home-way-from-home for
internationally celebrated icons like: Ernest Hemingway, Caruso, Maria Callas,
Rudolf Nureyev, Luchino Visconti - just to mention a few. It is said that
Giuseppe
Verdi lived at the hotel for several years and composed some of his most
celebrated pieces in a suite that carries today his name. As a tribute, some of
the rooms are dedicated to famous guests who stayed here before. |
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A couple of years of reconstruction and the
implementation of technical necessities like WI-FI make the Grand Hotel et de
Milan today a perfect place to stay for this world traveler while it allows my
wife to enjoy the age-old appeal of an 18th-19th century noble residence. I
placed my laptop on the elegant secretary, pulled out my AMEX and was within
minutes connected to the world-wide web and my office in New York while Simone
unpacked. She expressed her delight over the graciously designed bathroom, the
luxurious amenities, the precious Italian marble floors and the harmonious
colors throughout the suite.
A cautious knocking at the door announced the
arrival of a perfectly chilled bottle of Astoria Prosecco di Valdobbiadene. The
bellman opened the bottle with a 'barely-heard' pop; he carefully filled two
elegant fluted glasses and withdrew himself in the most gracious manner. We
both were simply delighted with the exquisite choice by the management of this
light, bubbly and simply delightful non-vintage sparkler. When it comes to
hospitality it's often the little things that mean a lot. We freshened up, and
soon were on the way to meet with Assistant GM Nicola Toso and Max Ferrara at
the Hotel Bar. |
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| Award Hand Out
at the Grand Hotel et de Milan |
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| Mr. Toso is a stylish gentleman and speaks five
languages fluently. This time we relaxed with him over a bottle of Ruinart,
while we planned our evening's
cuisine review in the renowned Don Carlos Restaurant. Welcome! |
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| “The Grand Hotel et de Milan is a wonderful Italian tradition,
located in a landmark position.” ~ TB |
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by
Thorsten & Simone Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2006 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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