Sat in the backseat of a chauffeur driven Range Rover; absorbing all of the typically Italian surroundings; I felt utterly absent from the rest of the world. No sooner had I looked up to notice that I had arrived at ME Milan Il Duca, a tall, dark-haired young man dressed in a black suit was already at hand to open the door for me. As I spun my legs out onto the cobbled Milanese pavement, a warm smile welcomed me to Milan, and more importantly, to the ME hotel.
The unmistakable sound of suitcase wheels grinding on the ground followed behind me as I wandered inside the hotel. It was midday and candles were already burning; diffusing the distinct ME hotel essence with every flicker of every flame.
I checked in and made my way up to the seventh floor, where I would be staying in one of the one hundred and thirty-two rooms that the hotel has to offer. The modern, and undoubtedly luxurious, interior of each room exceeds every expectation. The dim lighting feels intimate, the handwritten quote left on the bathroom mirror feels sentimental, and the tinkling of ice as you lift the champagne waiting for you in your room out of its ice bucket transports you to a world of luxury in which you are going to spend the next few nights.
On the second floor of the hotel you’ll find the hotels’ popular STK restaurant; an established favourite amongst international diners. STK Milan is the first Italian branch of its kind, and boasts an extensive menu offering a selection of the finest steaks and grills in a one-of-a-kind setting. The barely-there lighting exudes a feeling of seduction, while the resident DJ detracts you from an everyday wining and dining experience and brings you to the distinct atmosphere that is STK Milan.
Steak is at the heart of STK’s menu; they offer various impressive cuts and sizes of meat, ranging from six-ounce fillet medallions to 25-ounce tomahawk steaks. Aside from steak, signature items include Veal Milanese, Lil’ BRGs, Lobster Mac & Cheese and Parmesan Truffle Chips.
Milan is of course home to the aperitif, or Aperitivo, and so STK Milan’s ‘BRGRTIVO’ is simply unmissable. Between seven o’clock and ten o’clock each evening, guests can enjoy Milan’s unique New York City style happy hour party, featuring complimentary Lil’ BRG’s with every drink purchase. What more could you want when visiting Milan?
The cocktail menu is just as enticing as the a la carte menu at STK Milan. Whether you get into the spirit of being in the Italian fashion capital and go for a Milano Old-Fashioned, or whether you get into the spirit of the New York style American steakhouse and go for a 1934 Cosmopolitan, you will not be disappointed. The Milano Old-Fashioned is a distinct concoction of Bulleit rye whisky, Fernet Branca, and sugar, while the zingy 1934 Cosmopolitan consists of Tanqueray gin, Cointreau, raspberry syrup and lemon.
The innovative menu and cocktail list, vivacious atmosphere and indulgent surroundings at STK Milan draw in a chic clientele that you want to be a part of… as does ME Milan’s Radio Rooftop Bar.
Located on the 10th floor and only accessible via an exclusive express lift, the Radio Rooftop Bar in Milan offers spectacular panoramic views of the Milanese skyline. The rooftop terrace boasts a contemporary décor and layout, and features international tapas alongside innovative cocktails. It is the only rooftop bar, lounge and terrace in the Piazza della Repubblica area so it really is one not to miss.
ME Milan Il Duca, which is located at the centre of Milan in Piazza della Repubblica, one of the largest Italian squares, is the perfect place to stay while in Milan. The hotel is just minutes from the fashion district, and the new vibrant Porta Garibaldi area, which boasts some of the capital’s leading nightclubs and design showrooms.
And beyond that is the centre of Milan, Italy’s world-renown fashion capital. Here you’ll find The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the world’s oldest shopping mall, and a step or two further lies Milan’s breath-taking Duomo Cathedral, which took almost six centuries to complete and is the third largest church in the world. The Square Milano Duomo, the square in which the cathedral proudly sits, is home to high-end luxury rooftop bars, restaurants, and of course, shops.
There is no better place to call home during a stay in Milan than the ME hotel; an unmissable experience.
ME Milan Il Duca
Piazza della Repubblica, 13, 20124 Milano MI, Italy
