When opportunity presents itself in the form of a last-minute Emirates First Class award, sometimes you stumble upon unexpected gems – like discovering why the Park Hyatt Milan, with its prime location and exceptional service, has earned its reputation as one of Europe's most coveted point redemptions.
Travel plans rarely go exactly as expected. When an Emirates First Class award seat opened up from Milan to JFK for just over 100,000 points, I found myself needing a one-night stay in Milan before the flight. After consulting with a few friends who'd spent time in the city, I settled on the Park Hyatt Milan, which they recommended as one of the better uses of points for a hotel stay in the area.
The Park Hyatt's location is arguably its strongest asset. Situated at Via Tommaso Grossi 1, the hotel sits directly beside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan's famous glass-covered 19th-century shopping arcade. The Duomo di Milano, the city's architectural centerpiece, is barely a two-minute walk from the hotel's front door.
For those arriving by train, Milano Centrale station is about a 10-minute taxi ride away, while Malpensa Airport is roughly 45 minutes by car. The hotel's central position makes it particularly convenient for short stays, as you can easily walk to most of Milan's main attractions. The Scala Opera House is just around the corner, and the fashion district's luxury boutiques along Via Montenapoleone are within a 5-7 minute walk. My inbound flight arrived at Milan Linate airport (LIN), and there were a plethora of transit options to get downtown in just 25 minutes.
The immediate area around the hotel is busy during the day with tourists and locals alike, but quiets down considerably in the evening. For dinner options, you'll find everything from casual trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance, though the area does tend toward the higher end of the price spectrum given its location in Milan's historic center.
Check-in was quick and seamless. Upon entering, if you turn left, you'll find the main lobby with three reception desks and two concierge desks. The agent asked for my passport and explained the benefits that would come with my Hyatt Globalist status. As I was checking in early, I wasn't automatically upgraded to a suite, but upon asking, there was one ready that they were able to offer me, albeit on a low floor.
Once I was fully checked in, they informed me that a member of guest services would show me to my room and explain its features. I was in room 122, which was a corner suite. Upon entering, the guest services representative was incredibly helpful in showing me the features of this newly renovated room (the whole hotel is renovated), including motorized blinds, the daily water, and the welcome amenity.
The room was incredibly spacious, especially for a hotel room in Europe. Upon entering, there was a little foyer that included multiple drawers housing the mini-bar. Since I checked in early, the welcome amenity wasn't waiting for me yet, but as I came back from an afternoon of shopping, I found a tiramisu and a bottle of sparkling wine with two glasses atop the foyer.
To the right was the main bedroom section, which featured a king bed with two nightstands on either side. Across from the bed was a couch and table, with a swiveling TV that was easily accessible from the bed, though the swivel feature wasn't motorized. If there's one gripe about every Hyatt I've been to (including Park Hyatts), it's that they don't have a fluffy duvet, with the blanket feeling more like a basic hotel comforter.
As this was a corner suite on the first floor, there were double-glass windows: the outer glass was almost a Juliet balcony facing a busy street corner in Milan, and the inner window was a large, sliding door with thick glass. I will say, this room was nearly 100% soundproofed.
Entering the bathroom, you have the full walk-in shower with a rainfall feature (plenty of height that fit my 6'4" physique) and a stool in the shower. The bathroom was stocked with individual sample-size toiletries made uniquely for the Park Hyatt Milan by Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze. There was also an oversized bathtub next to the shower, and a full closet that included many essentials (i.e., hangers, laundry bags, a bag for shoe shining, extra amenities, etc.), but notably didn't include an iron or ironing board.
The Park Hyatt Milan's phenomenal location trumps most of the hotel amenities. However, there are three features worth discussing: the spa and the two on-site restaurants.
The spa is operated by a third-party company, so when I tried to use my 100 Euro property credit there, I was told it wasn't eligible. However, all hotel guests get access to the spa area, which, located on the lower level, features men's and women's locker rooms, each with their own steam room and showers, along with a shared co-ed jacuzzi (make sure to bring your bathing suit). Additionally, there are multiple relaxation pods and a wellness buffet offering items like hot tea and biscotti.
The Park Hyatt Milan is also home to Pellico 3 Milano and La Cupola, the hotel's two restaurants. Unfortunately, the more upscale Pellico 3 was closed on the day I was visiting (Monday), so I had to use my 100 Euro credit at La Cupola. This was disappointing as Pellico 3 gets such fantastic reviews, and I was upset I couldn't try it. (More on my meals at La Cupola below)
As mentioned above, there are two restaurants at the Park Hyatt Milan: Pellico 3 and La Cupola, along with a bar (offering bar bites) called Mio Lab Cocktail Bar. During my one-night stay, La Cupola was undergoing seasonal Christmas decorations, and Pellico 3 was closed (as it was a Monday night). Thankfully, Mio Lab was able to serve items from La Cupola's menu (though don't expect this ordinarily).
Since I only had one night in Italy (and it was my first time there), I wanted to try the most Italian meal possible. So I went with the famous picks. To start, I got Risotto alla Milanese topped with bone marrow, which was absolutely delicious. For my main, I opted for the Costoletta alla Milanese (Veal Milanese), which was simply a fried veal chop served with a cherry-tomato salad and potatoes. While this meal was absolutely delicious (I would highly recommend the risotto to anyone visiting), I left half of the veal, as I was stuffed from my previous courses.
The breakfast setup at the Park Hyatt Milan deserves special mention. This was easily one of the best hotel breakfasts I've ever had. Breakfast is served at La Cupola from 7 AM to 11 AM, with both a buffet and an à la carte option. Hyatt Globalist members get both included, so I was able to pick from the buffet while also ordering eggs, pancakes, and waffles from the made-to-order menu.
This breakfast was phenomenal, and the spread was even better. From amazing croissants to doughnuts, fresh fruit, drip coffee, and so much more, this spread also featured the best orange juice I've ever tasted (freshly squeezed).
The Park Hyatt Milan falls into World of Hyatt's highest Category 8 tier. I booked a standard 1 King Bed room for 40,000 World of Hyatt points, which represents the standard award pricing for Category 8 properties (Category 8 hotels cost 35,000 points during off-peak, 40,000 during standard, and 45,000 during peak periods).
The cash rate for my room was $939.66 USD, meaning my points redemption yielded approximately 2.35 cents per point (CPP) in value. For context, this represents a solid redemption value for World of Hyatt points, which typically range from 1.5 to 2.5 CPP depending on the property and season.
The booking process itself was straightforward—I transferred 40,000 points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to my World of Hyatt account, which posted instantly. This flexibility to transfer points from Chase makes it relatively easy to top up a World of Hyatt account when a valuable redemption opportunity arises.
While I hold Discoverist status through the World of Hyatt credit card, my stay was enhanced through a Guest of Honor (GoH) certificate. These certificates are a valuable feature of the World of Hyatt program, where Globalist members can extend their top-tier benefits to friends and family. While Globalists are generally generous with these certificates throughout the year, they become particularly eager to share them as year-end approaches—not only to ensure the certificates don't go unused, but also because they earn elite qualifying nights when others use their GoH certificates.
Through a generous Globalist member's GoH certificate, my stay was upgraded to include full Globalist benefits:
This combination—a points redemption at a favorable CPP plus Globalist benefits through GoH—transformed what would have been a standard room stay into a much more premium experience.
The Park Hyatt Milan proved to be an exceptional choice for my brief stay in the city. While the 40,000 points redemption might seem steep, the combination of the hotel's prime location, luxurious accommodations, and outstanding service made it worthwhile, especially considering the cash rate of nearly $940.
The property's greatest strength is undoubtedly its location. Being steps away from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Duomo di Milano makes it perfect for both first-time visitors and returning travelers. The recently renovated rooms, while not revolutionary in design, offer thoughtful amenities and impressive soundproofing that ensures a peaceful stay despite the central location.
The culinary experience, particularly the breakfast at La Cupola, was a highlight of my stay. While I was disappointed to miss out on Pellico 3, the quality of the food I did experience – from the Risotto alla Milanese to the exceptional breakfast spread – demonstrated the hotel's commitment to maintaining high gastronomic standards.
For World of Hyatt members, especially those with Globalist status or access to Guest of Honor benefits, the Park Hyatt Milan offers exceptional value. The suite upgrade, breakfast inclusion, and other elite benefits significantly enhanced the overall experience.
Despite minor drawbacks like the basic duvet and the inability to use the property credit at the third-party spa, the Park Hyatt Milan delivered a memorable stay that I would confidently recommend to anyone looking for a luxury experience in the heart of Milan.
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Travel plans rarely go exactly as expected. When an Emirates First Class award seat opened up from Milan to JFK for just over 100,000 points, I found myself needing a one-night stay in Milan before the flight. After consulting with a few friends who'd spent time in the city, I settled on the Park Hyatt Milan, which they recommended as one of the better uses of points for a hotel stay in the area.
The Park Hyatt's location is arguably its strongest asset. Situated at Via Tommaso Grossi 1, the hotel sits directly beside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan's famous glass-covered 19th-century shopping arcade. The Duomo di Milano, the city's architectural centerpiece, is barely a two-minute walk from the hotel's front door.
For those arriving by train, Milano Centrale station is about a 10-minute taxi ride away, while Malpensa Airport is roughly 45 minutes by car. The hotel's central position makes it particularly convenient for short stays, as you can easily walk to most of Milan's main attractions. The Scala Opera House is just around the corner, and the fashion district's luxury boutiques along Via Montenapoleone are within a 5-7 minute walk. My inbound flight arrived at Milan Linate airport (LIN), and there were a plethora of transit options to get downtown in just 25 minutes.
The immediate area around the hotel is busy during the day with tourists and locals alike, but quiets down considerably in the evening. For dinner options, you'll find everything from casual trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance, though the area does tend toward the higher end of the price spectrum given its location in Milan's historic center.
Check-in was quick and seamless. Upon entering, if you turn left, you'll find the main lobby with three reception desks and two concierge desks. The agent asked for my passport and explained the benefits that would come with my Hyatt Globalist status. As I was checking in early, I wasn't automatically upgraded to a suite, but upon asking, there was one ready that they were able to offer me, albeit on a low floor.
Once I was fully checked in, they informed me that a member of guest services would show me to my room and explain its features. I was in room 122, which was a corner suite. Upon entering, the guest services representative was incredibly helpful in showing me the features of this newly renovated room (the whole hotel is renovated), including motorized blinds, the daily water, and the welcome amenity.
The room was incredibly spacious, especially for a hotel room in Europe. Upon entering, there was a little foyer that included multiple drawers housing the mini-bar. Since I checked in early, the welcome amenity wasn't waiting for me yet, but as I came back from an afternoon of shopping, I found a tiramisu and a bottle of sparkling wine with two glasses atop the foyer.
To the right was the main bedroom section, which featured a king bed with two nightstands on either side. Across from the bed was a couch and table, with a swiveling TV that was easily accessible from the bed, though the swivel feature wasn't motorized. If there's one gripe about every Hyatt I've been to (including Park Hyatts), it's that they don't have a fluffy duvet, with the blanket feeling more like a basic hotel comforter.
As this was a corner suite on the first floor, there were double-glass windows: the outer glass was almost a Juliet balcony facing a busy street corner in Milan, and the inner window was a large, sliding door with thick glass. I will say, this room was nearly 100% soundproofed.
Entering the bathroom, you have the full walk-in shower with a rainfall feature (plenty of height that fit my 6'4" physique) and a stool in the shower. The bathroom was stocked with individual sample-size toiletries made uniquely for the Park Hyatt Milan by Lorenzo Villoresi Firenze. There was also an oversized bathtub next to the shower, and a full closet that included many essentials (i.e., hangers, laundry bags, a bag for shoe shining, extra amenities, etc.), but notably didn't include an iron or ironing board.
The Park Hyatt Milan's phenomenal location trumps most of the hotel amenities. However, there are three features worth discussing: the spa and the two on-site restaurants.
The spa is operated by a third-party company, so when I tried to use my 100 Euro property credit there, I was told it wasn't eligible. However, all hotel guests get access to the spa area, which, located on the lower level, features men's and women's locker rooms, each with their own steam room and showers, along with a shared co-ed jacuzzi (make sure to bring your bathing suit). Additionally, there are multiple relaxation pods and a wellness buffet offering items like hot tea and biscotti.
The Park Hyatt Milan is also home to Pellico 3 Milano and La Cupola, the hotel's two restaurants. Unfortunately, the more upscale Pellico 3 was closed on the day I was visiting (Monday), so I had to use my 100 Euro credit at La Cupola. This was disappointing as Pellico 3 gets such fantastic reviews, and I was upset I couldn't try it. (More on my meals at La Cupola below)
As mentioned above, there are two restaurants at the Park Hyatt Milan: Pellico 3 and La Cupola, along with a bar (offering bar bites) called Mio Lab Cocktail Bar. During my one-night stay, La Cupola was undergoing seasonal Christmas decorations, and Pellico 3 was closed (as it was a Monday night). Thankfully, Mio Lab was able to serve items from La Cupola's menu (though don't expect this ordinarily).
Since I only had one night in Italy (and it was my first time there), I wanted to try the most Italian meal possible. So I went with the famous picks. To start, I got Risotto alla Milanese topped with bone marrow, which was absolutely delicious. For my main, I opted for the Costoletta alla Milanese (Veal Milanese), which was simply a fried veal chop served with a cherry-tomato salad and potatoes. While this meal was absolutely delicious (I would highly recommend the risotto to anyone visiting), I left half of the veal, as I was stuffed from my previous courses.
The breakfast setup at the Park Hyatt Milan deserves special mention. This was easily one of the best hotel breakfasts I've ever had. Breakfast is served at La Cupola from 7 AM to 11 AM, with both a buffet and an à la carte option. Hyatt Globalist members get both included, so I was able to pick from the buffet while also ordering eggs, pancakes, and waffles from the made-to-order menu.
This breakfast was phenomenal, and the spread was even better. From amazing croissants to doughnuts, fresh fruit, drip coffee, and so much more, this spread also featured the best orange juice I've ever tasted (freshly squeezed).
The Park Hyatt Milan falls into World of Hyatt's highest Category 8 tier. I booked a standard 1 King Bed room for 40,000 World of Hyatt points, which represents the standard award pricing for Category 8 properties (Category 8 hotels cost 35,000 points during off-peak, 40,000 during standard, and 45,000 during peak periods).
The cash rate for my room was $939.66 USD, meaning my points redemption yielded approximately 2.35 cents per point (CPP) in value. For context, this represents a solid redemption value for World of Hyatt points, which typically range from 1.5 to 2.5 CPP depending on the property and season.
The booking process itself was straightforward—I transferred 40,000 points from Chase Ultimate Rewards to my World of Hyatt account, which posted instantly. This flexibility to transfer points from Chase makes it relatively easy to top up a World of Hyatt account when a valuable redemption opportunity arises.
While I hold Discoverist status through the World of Hyatt credit card, my stay was enhanced through a Guest of Honor (GoH) certificate. These certificates are a valuable feature of the World of Hyatt program, where Globalist members can extend their top-tier benefits to friends and family. While Globalists are generally generous with these certificates throughout the year, they become particularly eager to share them as year-end approaches—not only to ensure the certificates don't go unused, but also because they earn elite qualifying nights when others use their GoH certificates.
Through a generous Globalist member's GoH certificate, my stay was upgraded to include full Globalist benefits:
This combination—a points redemption at a favorable CPP plus Globalist benefits through GoH—transformed what would have been a standard room stay into a much more premium experience.
The Park Hyatt Milan proved to be an exceptional choice for my brief stay in the city. While the 40,000 points redemption might seem steep, the combination of the hotel's prime location, luxurious accommodations, and outstanding service made it worthwhile, especially considering the cash rate of nearly $940.
The property's greatest strength is undoubtedly its location. Being steps away from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Duomo di Milano makes it perfect for both first-time visitors and returning travelers. The recently renovated rooms, while not revolutionary in design, offer thoughtful amenities and impressive soundproofing that ensures a peaceful stay despite the central location.
The culinary experience, particularly the breakfast at La Cupola, was a highlight of my stay. While I was disappointed to miss out on Pellico 3, the quality of the food I did experience – from the Risotto alla Milanese to the exceptional breakfast spread – demonstrated the hotel's commitment to maintaining high gastronomic standards.
For World of Hyatt members, especially those with Globalist status or access to Guest of Honor benefits, the Park Hyatt Milan offers exceptional value. The suite upgrade, breakfast inclusion, and other elite benefits significantly enhanced the overall experience.
Despite minor drawbacks like the basic duvet and the inability to use the property credit at the third-party spa, the Park Hyatt Milan delivered a memorable stay that I would confidently recommend to anyone looking for a luxury experience in the heart of Milan.
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