 TM
Starhotels Anderson Really is a StarBy 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 Anderson1. 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 AndersonA 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 ThereLocated 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 ItalyUS’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 ItalyRailEurope 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 GuidebooksGelato
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 Back to TravelLady Magazine |