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Starhotels Anderson Really is a Star
By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 If someone asked me exactly what I wanted in a hotel, I
would say good value, updated computer connections, good lighting, nice
amenities and good design. Of course if you throw in a little luxury at no extra
charge, I am thrilled.
I would put Starhotels Anderson in the All-Star Hall of
Fame for combining all of the best features of most hotels and still keeping the
price affordable.
A Few More Reasons Why I Love Starhotels Anderson
1. COMPASSION AND SYMPATHY WHEN NEEDED. When I arrived at
the Milan train station, I knew the hotel was nearby. But I did not really
understand how close it was. Exhausted from traveling and changing trains with
all my luggage, I hopped in a cab. I soon realized I was merely a block away. It
was actually shorter to have exited the Milan train station and walked over to
the hotel then to have followed all the signs to the taxi stand at the other end
of the station.
Worst of all, the taxi driver charged me over 7 euro (about
ten dollars) for this one block trip. He probably had to circle the station, but
it seemed awfully expensive to me. When I told the story to the front desk at
check in, they seemed at least as upset as I was to have been overcharged.
 Score extra points for Starhotels Anderson for sympathy.
2. YOU CAN REALLY WORK HERE. When I entered my room, I was
thrilled to see they had a long, spacious desk with multiple outlets (I have a
computer, a camera and more to plug in) and terrific lighting. The five star
hotel I stayed in Venice had one plug—you could have light, or use your
computer. And while Starhotels Anderson has four stars, in my book it is at the
very top of that rating.
Score extra points for having everything you need where you need it
3. EXTRA HELPFUL. When I asked about changing money, the
front desk person asked about the amount. When I explained I was traveling for a
month, she offered to call their bank and arrange for a higher limit than the
usual $500 a day.
 I got the best rate I have gotten in Europe.
More points for Starhotels Anderson and some for Banca Intesa 02/676091
4. SWEET TOUCHES with STYLE
Lots of hotels leave candy on your pillow. Starhotels Anderson does it in a
graphic way—a line of primary color candies carefully arranged on the side of
the folded over sheet.
5. FREEBIES. The great breakfast is not so unusual, but it
is exceptionally good. I was really cheered by the free internet access on a
computer near the bar that was open to all guests. There is a not just a
coffeemaker, but packages of cappuccino, tea, hot chocolate, and more. Plus two
yummy kinds of packaged cookies each day.
 6. GREAT LOCATION. It is so easy to get around from
Starhotels Anderson. Besides being near the train station, it is right near the
green metro line. Since cabs are so expensive, I probably saved enough for
another night by using the subway –which the helpful desk people carefully
explain. Even someone like me who speaks no Italian and drives everywhere at
home can easily get around on the subway.
 7. SLEEK AND STYLISH. There is a trendy bar on the first
floor but what really wowed me where the elevators. Each has a backlit visual of
Milan across from the door, so you feel like you are rising up in the city
skyline.
Funniest Thing That Happened in Starhotels Anderson
A contemporary tray of amenities was waiting in my
bathroom. I love the small sample sizes of shampoo and etc. But one else had
ever offered me a little bottle of intimate cleanser. Is it something for my
private parts? Fuel for the bidet? Something to use after sex? After two nights
I realized it was to wash your underwear.
STAR HOTEL ANDERSON
20 Piazza Luigi di Savoia
20124 Milan, Italy
Anderson.mi@starhotels.it
www.starhotels.com
Getting There
Located in the heart of Milan, opposite the Centrale Train
Station, 2km from the Fiera Exhibition Ground. Bus service available to both
airports.
From Linate /City Airport (8km) and Malpensa/Intercontinental
Aiprot (50 km) take the shuttle bus to Central Railway Station. From Malpensa
(Intercontinental Airport) take the Malpensa Express train (every 30 minutes) to
Cadorna Station, then take the Green Line Subway direction Cologno/Gessate, and
stop at Central Railway Station (after approximately 8 minutes).
From the Fiera (Fairgrounds)
From the Exhibition Ground (2km), take the Subway Red line from Amendola to
Cadorna (Direction Sesto) then the Green Line Subway to Central Railway Station
or proceed on Red line to Duomo, then Yellow Line (direction Zara) to Central
Railway Station.
Sister Hotels in Milan
Starhotels Business Palace
Starhotels Ritz
Starhotels Rosa
Starhotels Splendido
Stahrotels Tourist
Best Way to Get to Italy
US’s seventh-largest airline, serving 181 communities in
the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, US Airways, US
Airways Shuttle and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate
approximately 3,400 flights per day. For more information on US Airways flight
schedules and fares, visit US Airways online at
WWW.USairways.com
or call US Airways Reservations at 1-800-428-4322
Best Way To Get Around in Italy
RailEurope offers a Trenitalia Pass network which covers
16,000 km (10,000 miles) running daily through beautiful landscapes to connect
big cities and small towns, all famous for their art and history. The trains are
comfortable and quick and easy to navigate.
www.raileurope.com
Best Way to Get to the Airport in Italy
WWW.airportshuttle.it
Great Guidebooks
Gelato
Finding Italy’s best Gelaterias
Happy Belly Guide
Fancy Pants Press
www.happybellyguides.com
info@happybellyguides.com
GREAT SLEEPS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome. Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com
GREAT EATS ITALY
By Sandra Gustafson
Florence. Rome, Venice
www.chroniclebooks.com
Italy: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE*
By Nan McElroy
*when all else fails, read the instructions
The personal, on-site assistant for the enthusiastic but inexperienced traveler
www.Italyinstuctions.com
Fodor’s see it Italy
Detailed maps and lots of color pictures
www.fodors.com
THE COMPLETE IDOIT’S GUIDE to ITALIAN HISTORY AND
CULTURE
By Gabrielle Euvino with Michael San Filippo
www.idiotsguides.com
ITALY
INSIGHT GUIDES
www.insightguides.com
FODOR’S 04 ITALY
Shows you the way on and off the beaten path
WWW.fodors.com
Rick Steves Italy 2005
Avalon Publishing
www.ricksteves.com
BERLITZ POCKET GUIDE ITALY
www.berlitzpublishing.com
SPEAK LIKE AN ITALIAN
THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO LEARNING ITALIAN
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com
THE POCKET IDIOT’S GUIDE to Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
www.idiotsguides.com
Rick Steve’s ITALIAN PHRASEBOOK AND DICTIONARY
Avalon Travel Publishing
www.Ricksteves.com
BERLITZ Surviving in Italian
A handy mini phrase book with maximum information
www.berlitzpublishing.com
BERLITZ Shopping in Italian
Pocket-size with easy to read pronunciation
www.berlitzpublishing.com
EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN
LA DISPENSA DI FIE
By Stefan Pramstrahler
Hugendubel
www.hugendubel.de
BERLITZ Eating and Drinking in Italian
Convenient pocket size
www.berlitzpublishing.com
How to Pronounce French, German and Italian Wine Names
By Dianna Bellucci
They also include a bonus of Austrian, Spanish and Portugese Wine Names
Luminosa Publishing
www.howtopronounce.com
LANGENSCHEIDT’S POCKET MENU READER ITALY
A gastronomic dictionary, phrasebook and guide
EUROPE’S TOP RESTAURANTS 2004
Zagat Survey
www.zagat.com
SHOP LIKE AN ITALIAN
Suzy Gershon’s Born to Shop Italy
The Ultimate Guide for People Who Love to Shop
www.frommers.com
COOK LIKE AN ITALIAN
Order your own set of The Best of Ciao Italia..in Umbria and The Best of
Cias Italia..in Tuscany. You can enjoy four of Mary Ann’s favorite programs that
capture the hearat and soul of Umbria, a delightful, unspoiled and undiscovered
region of Italy known for taste-tempting food markets, glorious street
festivals, aroma-filled kitchens, fine art, friendships and more. The sets
include interactive menus and printable PDF recipes.
THE BEST OF GOURMET
Featuring the Flavors of Rome
From the editors of Gourmet Magazine.
Random House
www.randomhouse.com
MANGIAMO Let’s Eat!
A collection of family recipes by Sylvia Sebastiani
Sebastiani Vineyards
TASTE ITALIAN FOOD AT HOME
Try Sacla’s Classic Basil Pesto Sauce on your pasta at home. Robust bail
leaves, fresh Grana Padano and Pecorino Romano cheese, ripened pine nuts, biting
garlic and pure olive oil.
LISTEN TO ITALIAN MUSIC
Italian Café Music
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayo.com
BEST SPAS IN ITALY
Terme di Saturnia
Romantik Hotel Turm
Kichplatz - P.zza della Chiesa 9
I - 39050 Völs a. Schlern/Fiè allo Sciliar
Tel: 0039 0471 725014
Fax: 0039 0471 725474
turm@romantikhotels.com
www.hotelturm.it
MOST SOCIALLY CORRECT SOUVENIR
Orphange Africa Love Beads
Sexy e Solidali
By Missoni
Made in Ghana, all profits from this lovely necklace or belt (if your waist is
small enough) go to an African orphanage. Made from thin, flexible tubes filled
with colorful little beads, each piece of jewelry also has three bells inside in
accordance with some African superstituion. You can buy this jewelry in any
Missoni store or at
www.oafrica.org
Madelyn’s favorite Italian wines
Rosa Regale by Castello Banfi
Prosecco
Brachetto
Where to eat in Milan
 FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MILANO
Cognoscenti all gather at the Four Seasons for power meals, whether they be in
fashion, finance, or just in Milan to have fun. I had dinner at La Verandah the
first night I was in town and it certainly set the standard. Zucchini blossoms
where in season, so I had the zucchini in blossom stuffed with ricotta cheese and mint. A feast for the eyes and the palate,
 this delicious dish
is the only food dish pictured on the menu. Wise choice. I tasted my companion’s Zibello ham with spring salad and melon pearls and although it was
delicious, the zucchini blossoms make my must-order-this-whenever-I-am-in-Milan
list.
Our next course was a whole-wheat “cannelloni” pasta with
burrata fresh cheese and mozzarella, dried and fresh cherry tomatoes and arugola.
I barely had room for the typical Veal cutlet, Milanese style.
 When I told the maitre d that my favorite Italian wine was
Rosa Reglia from BAnfi Costello, he suggested a local wine from the “Po” River
(70 miles from Milan) Cabanon Rose was a wonderful choice.
L’OPERA in the Hotel de Ville is the place for a power
lunch when you are in the downtown financial district. The elegantly traditional
room serves classical Italian cuisine and I had my best risotto Milanese
here. Another standout dish is the smoked tuna with yogurt sauce and
melon pearls, a daily special on the afternoon I dined there.
L’Opera
Via Hoepli, 6
20121 Milano
02 805 1231
BEST ICE CREAM
Italians love their gelatos, and tourists also find them a treat. One of my
favorite guidebooks, Knopf Mapguides, lists the best ice cream stores in each
region. Although I would have loved to have done that research, I will share
with you the most unique ice-creams and sorbets that I found. They were at the
Four Seasons Milan. Just a few of the fabulous flavors include: yogurt and broad
bean, fennel (these are the two I tried and both were much more delicious than
they sounded). Other times you can try saffron, basil-tomato, oil oil, mandarin
and mint, mandarin and rosemary and red hot chili pepper sorbet.
DESIGNING PALATES
There seems to be a trend for designers and top stores to have restaurants.
Try some of these delicious designer restaurants but don’t eat too much or you
will never fit into the Italian clothes.
10 Corso Como Café
02 6592015
Just Cavalli
Via Camonens Torre
Branca Milano
02 311817
Bozart Café
Look for the jewelry on the first floor in the Bozart corner.
02 76316153
MOST EROTIC RESTAURANT NAME
69. This small restaurant is a refined, exclusive place that unites the best
in the latest rends in design, music and high cuisine. The garden is a strong
point for romantics. The bar is an imposing island faced in onyx marble and back
lighted.
BEST CHOCOLATE DESSERT
L’Opera in Hotel de Ville has the richest, most decadent chocolate dessert
in Milan (although I will continue on researching this project). A chocolate
soufflé-like cake with a thick, creamy center that flows out over the
surrounding fresh strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
L’Opera
Via Hoepli, 6
20121 Milano
02 805 1231
BEST COFFEE SERVICE
Individual shots are served at Café Noir in the Gray Hotel. Choose your coffee
from an impressive presentation and then sit back and sip in the most sensual
coffee lounge in town.
Café Noir
Via San Raffaele, 6
20121 Milano, Italy
39 02 720 89 5.50
MOST EROTIC ROOM AMMENITY
Both the hotels I stayed in offered Delicate Wash in a bottle in the
bathroom. I finally discovered this was for washing your private parts, not your
underwear or cleaning the bidet.
BEST CEMETERY
People in Milan do everything with Style. Even their cemeteries are worth
touring. Milan Monumental Cemetery is worth an hour or two if you appreciate
architecture and design.
Cimitero Monumental
P.le Cimitero Monumentale
02 6599938
Open Tuesday to Sunday 8:30 to 17:30
Closed on Monday
Underground line 2. Stop Garibaldi FS (seems appropriate to take the underground
to a cemetery)
BEST GUIDE
Paola’s English is better than mine. And she knows everything imaginable about
Italian art and artist. She could teach a history of art class in her spare
time. What I liked best about her was her responsiveness, when she learned I was
interested in theatre and music, she added a stop to La Scala and the museum.
Paola Vignolo
39-02-4692-690
Mobile 39-338-621-5165
MILAN
KNOPF MAPGUIDES
The city in section by section maps
www.aaknopf.com
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