Milan - an active Italian city bursting with historical pride, marked by tall church spires and ornate facades - this city easily conjures up images of elegance and beauty, famous for being home to a world-class fashion industry, including high quality designers and artists. In the heart of this cosmopolitan metropolis, within an exclusive district behind Piazza San Babila and within walking distance to the renowned Duomo Cathedral, stands Chateau Monfort. This historical former palace, near the 'quadrilatero' fashion district, is now home to a five-star boutique hotel attracting visitors from around the world in search of a fairy tale experience.
The urban Chateau was built in the early twentieth century by renowned Milanese architect and engineer Paolo Mezzanotte, who is also the architect of the modern Milan Stock Exchange, a masterpiece mixing both neo-classical and twentieth century design. Mezzanotte's eye for detail and elegant finishing is visible throughout the aristocratic design. The charming exterior facade of the Chateau - a delicate pale flush with intricately carved balconies and tall windows affording views over Piazza Tricolore - does not fully prepare for the enchantment and decor awaiting within.
Erected in 1903, Chateau Monfort was once a palatial home to a private family, with each floor gifted to every daughter. Surviving through historical challenges, including two world wars in the twentieth century, the neo-romantic palace entered a different captivating chapter of its life after being bought by an Italian family who revived the beloved building back to life. Now lovingly restored, Chateau Montfort has established itself as a quality hotel in 2012 after three years of renovation, and is rich with historical significance and untold stories - now open to the public for all to enjoy.
With 77 unique rooms designed by Italian architects, including five Junior Suites, five Suites, four Deluxe Rooms, 19 Executive Rooms and 44 Superior Rooms, Chateau Monfort is where urban flair and historical elegance finally - and beautifully - connect. While the building is reminiscent of Italian significance, it also possesses a special French flair, for instance with an elegant crystal dome, which lends its romantic aura and of course, its name. Stepping into the old palace, one is immediately taken aback by the magical interior, a re-interpretation of the original design. The lobby alone is a sight to behold, with natural light emphasizing the high ceilings, marble floor, antiques, and art along the walls. It is not only the otherworldly atmosphere which astonishes the first impression, but also the friendly and hospitable staff who ensure a human touch and high standard quality for all guests.
Therefore, Chateau Monfort attracts guests from all around the world of diverse backgrounds, of various needs and personalities. Whether you are a lone vacationer taking in the historical sights, a newly-wedded couple bedazzled by wedded bliss, or simply traveling for business, there is always an ideal room to be found for all types and fantasies. With value placed on the individual experience, in which one is encouraged to 'be as you are', guests can choose from a wide array of luxurious suites. Throughout, art-nouveau designs and Italian authenticity naturally transform into a fantasy kingdom, animated by butterflies, owls and cascading flower petals. Reference to nursery rhyme characters also reflect childhood memories, allowing visitors to travel through their own favorite fantasies from childhood, or else conjure up contemporary fairy tale dreams in adulthood.
The tailor-made rooms, as spaces to escape from busy life and to reimagine childhood dreams, are personally named, reflecting the anticipated theme of each room and instilling peaceful feelings from the small details and splashes of color. Most beloved are the two suites Boheme and Cinderella. As the name implies, Boheme Suite is an open-space concept, tastefully decorated with melodic references to the opera, paying homage to world-renowned and nearby La Scala theater. With a skylight in the center and gorgeous parquet flooring, the room is bright and cheerful, seductively enticing visitors with a luxurious bath. Also with a skylight which showcases romantic starry skies by night, the cheerful Cinderella Suite subtly alludes to a more mystical mood - light colors, a princess bed, an intimate round bathtub and soft pumpkins complete the fairy tale vibe.
If romance and coziness are more of interest, there are indeed other rooms which can make reality one's personal fairy tale imagination. The Superior Room Civetta reflects the intrigue of lush forests and curious owls, with a quaint individual balcony overlooking the courtyard below. However, the Butterfly Junior Suite sets an altogether different aura - a more bohemian style, with gauzy curtains draped near the grand bed, whimsical butterflies painted on kimonos representing Madame Butterfly love songs, as well as drapery and bedding all inspired by Japan - this room oozes romantic allure.
On the other hand, the Deluxe Schiaccianoci Room is one of the most fabulously unusual rooms in the hotel and without a doubt stays true to the original idea of the hotel at inception: rekindle childhood memories and emotions through majestic fairy tales - the sorts of stories with mystical, unreachable castles and mythical characters. Schiaccianoci Room, or the Nutcracker Room, does precisely this. With delicate curtains draped over a luxurious bed, tall soldiers in red uniform watching over, and vibrantly colored furnishings, this room brings us back to childhood imaginations, the sort where we are lost in performance and make-believe. However sentimental and historical the rooms may be, such as this Nutcracker-themed Suite, or the Junior Suite Uccello di Fuoco, all of Chateau Monfort's rooms are complete with modern technology such as soundproofing, LCD TVs, air conditioning and free wifi.
Since visitors to Chateau Monfort often desire more than rooms to provoke dreams, Rubacuori Restaurant by Venissa taps into the multi-faceted taste buds which accompany all visitors to the luxury hotel. Perfectly blending modern innovation with heritage, Venissa uses local produce based on the idea that the earth and sea are key sources for life. Executive Chef Andrea Asoli transports this particular appreciation for food and traditional flavors of the Venetian lagoon onto every plate, with inspiration from 'The Venissa Code' - a food philosophy crafted by young and talented chefs who gather on an annual basis to enhance the entire dining experience by focusing on high-quality ingredients as well as fantastic aesthetic presentation. With the help tastefully decorated dining space - with damasked walls and delicate porcelain, true to the overall fairy tale legacy - Rubacuori Restaurant blends classic recipes with modern creativity. Or else sip on delicious herbal cocktails in the illuminated lounge bar, Mezzanotte (named after the palazzo architect), also inspired by Venissa philosophy.
Offering so much more than charming rooms and elegant food, Chateau Monfort is influenced by the same elements which bring Milan to life: fashion, culture and art, while simultaneously offering a chilled wine cellar 'La Cella di Bacco' in an enchanted vault-like room for vintage wine-tasting, as well as private dining rooms and intimate spaces for cocktail parties and business meetings. The 'Sala Dell'Incantesimo' room is highly recommended for those wanting to experience magnificent barrel-vaulted ceilings. Meaning 'Secrets of the Castle', this space maintains its authentic oval curved walls, uncovered during renovation. Finally, the Chateau has a luxurious wellness spa, Amore&Psiche, complete with a romantic Turkish bath, swimming pool, a wide range of treatments such as massages, a sauna, aromatic showers, and an ice cascade. This hotel truly has it all for those desiring an escape.
Tucked away in the beautiful and vibrant city of Milan, a city rich with fashion, innovation, music and innovation, lies a magnificent luxury hotel which in a way pays homage to exactly that. While Milan continues to expand its depth beyond contemporary expectations, Chateau Monfort calls this intense, inspiring city 'home', going beyond escaping reality, diving right into and indulging those fantasies we all have harboring within. The world is fast-paced and bustling all around us, yet Chateau Monfort allows every guest who steps through its threshold to become lost in childhood pleasures, a world in which dreams really are realized, where 'be as you are', truly is a lived tenet.
This article first appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of LOVEFMD magazine.
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