ALBERT HOTEL, Milan

The hotel sits 150 metres from Milano Centrale railway station, where the yellow and green metro lines, trams, and shuttle buses to Linate, Malpensa, and Bergamo airports stop. A 10-minute walk reaches Corso Buenos Aires, a major shopping street. The designer district around Via Montenapoleone is three metro stops away, and Milan Cathedral is four stops. The Pirelli Tower and Lombardy Palace are within walking distance, and the business centres FieraMilanoCity and Rho-Pero are easily reached via public transport. The area has many restaurants, bars, and a supermarket. The Main Market (Mercato Centrale) inside the station offers a wide variety of food outlets.

All rooms offer a work desk, minibar, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, a private safe, and adjustable air conditioning/heating. The bathrooms include a shower, hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries; some rooms have two bathrooms. Rooms are spacious for the category and kept clean. The decor is functional and may feel slightly dated, but the comfort is solid - good beds, strong water pressure, and effective soundproofing. Extra beds can be added for a fee, and cots for children up to 3 years are available on request. Connecting rooms make the hotel practical for families.

Breakfast is served in the breakfast room or can be brought to the room. The buffet is basic - bread, pastries, cereal, yogurt, hot drinks - sufficient for a quick start. For a wider selection, the station's Mercato Centrale and many independent restaurants (Italian, kebab, Chinese) are within 0.5 km. The hotel's snack bar offers light bites, coffee, and drinks. There is no evening restaurant on site.

The hotel has four meeting rooms accommodating up to 35 people (theatre style) with options for classroom, boardroom, and U-shape setups. The business centre offers fax/photocopying and a PC with internet. A reading room and shared lounge with TV are open to all. The 24-hour reception provides concierge, private check-in/out, and luggage storage (useful for early arrivals or late departures). Safety features include CCTV, smoke alarms, and a safety deposit box in each room. The hotel is non-smoking throughout and has a lift. Allergy-free rooms are available. Housekeeping is daily and included.