Luckily, some things in the world never change. One of these is the charm of the Hotel Principe di Savoia Dorchester Collection at Christmas, with its extraordinary decorations, which during the holiday season becomes one of the most welcoming and beloved places for guests from all over the world who come to Milan just to experience its atmosphere.

One of the few historic “grand hotels” in Milan still in existence, the “Principe”, as its guests affectionately call it, was founded in 1896 as the Hotel du Nord et des Anglais and in 1927 became Principe e Savoia, from the surnames of its owners at the time.

A global icon where you can experience memorable moments and every little detail is truly important.

Since the beginning of time, in the 19th century as today, the hotel has been a protagonist of Milan’s social and business life, the scene of some of its most important events: it was here that the Milan Football & Cricket Club was founded in 1899 and it was also here that Queen Elizabeth II of England stayed during all her state visits, just to name two examples.

In 2003 it became the property of the Dorchester Collection, which began a monumental restoration of the structure, while remaining faithful to its timeless neoclassical charm. Always ahead of its time, the Principe di Savoia has seen over the years the collaboration with some of the greatest interior designers in the world, such as the French designer Thierry Despont who signed the restyling of the Principe Bar in 2009.

The enchantment begins at the entrance, crossing the iconic revolving door, when we are welcomed by a wall of teddy bears and decorations with a Christmas Ferris wheel and a giant Christmas tree masterfully set up by Armani Fiori.

On the left, the heart of the hotel, is the Salotto lobby Lounge, the daytime bar recently renovated by the Architettura&Interni studio. Here you can book the Merenda del Principe every day from 3 to 6 pm with an assortment of pastries, artisanal panettone by pastry chef Beniamino Passannante, freshly baked cakes and chocolate creations, all accompanied by a hot drink.

A little further on, along a mirrored corridor, you will find the Principe Bar, a cocktail bar open from 6pm to 1:30am – an exciting icon of global hospitality with its 48-arm Murano glass chandelier created by Barovier and Toso based on a design by Robert du Grenie and the works of Mimmo Rotella that hark back to La Dolce Vita – and the wonderful Acanto Restaurant (named after the plant of the same name, a symbol of rebirth, that was in its garden when it was renovated).

At the helm of the restaurant, we meet the chef from Varese, Matteo Gabrielli, who – having returned to his region after various international experiences with the “masters” Adriano Cavagnini, Heston Blumenthal, Antonio Guida and Vito Mollica – has created a tasting menu inspired by Lombardy’s gastronomic excellence and a la carte menu that pays homage to seasonal ingredients.

From the Organic egg in carpione, lake bottarga and watercress to the Smoked eel, mushroom salad, rocket and apples, or from the Trout fillet, buckwheat crumble, radish and Franciacorta sauce to the Veal ossobuco, marrow, potato millefeuille and Sforzato della Valtellina sauce, there are many delicacies to choose from.

When booking the perfect table for the holidays, you will be spoiled for choice: you can go for the Chef Table located in front of the open kitchen designed by Paul Valet, or the Crystal Table designed in collaboration with Swarovski, Stefano Ricci Home and Luxury Living (it accommodates up to 6 people), or, if there are two of you, the table in front of the window overlooking the garden decorated with giant Christmas balls and a thousand lights.

Furthermore, also for this year, the Santa Claus Suite has opened to the public, a sumptuous room that, among decorations and elves, will allow visitors to write and send letters to Santa Claus. Accessible every day from 10:00 to 20:30 by reservation, hotel guests can visit it freely, while external guests can do so in combination with one of the hotel’s experiences, such as the Merenda del Principe, or lunches and dinners at the Acanto Restaurant or the Salotto.

If you want to wait for Santa Claus’s arrival right at the Principe’s, you can choose between 257 rooms and 44 suites, including the Principe Suites designed by Francesca Basu and furnished with a Christmas tree and warm fabrics in shades of red, or the legendary Presidential Suite with a Pompeian-style pool.

Christmas at Principe’s is truly special.

The Secret

Originally, the hotel was located on the square of the old central station which until 1931 was located in today’s Piazza della Repubblica. Later on, it became insufficient to absorb the increase in rail traffic and therefore moved to its current location.

Useful Info

Hotel Principe di Savoia
Piazza della Repubblica 17
20124 Milano
Tel. +39 02 62301 (hotel)
Tel. +39 02 62302026 (restaurant)

Rooms: from 600 euro with breakfast
Acanto tasting menu: 125 euro per person, 180 euro per person with “Azienda vitivinicola Il Calepino” wines pairing
Appetizers: from 32 euro
First courses: from 32 euro
Second courses: from 44 euro
Merenda del Principe: 45 euro
Cocktails at the Principe Bar: from 22 euro
Bites to share: from 21 euro