Excelsior Hotel Gallia, Milan
More photosThe Excelsior Hotel Gallia is a true icon of Milanese glamour. Originally opened in 1932, this Belle Époque masterpiece was designed by architects Giuseppe Laveni and Aldo Avati. While it has hosted everyone from Maria Callas to Ernest Hemingway, the property underwent a stunning modern transformation by designer Marco Piva, who integrated a striking contemporary steel-and-glass wing into the historic structure.
The hotel is a love letter to Italian craftsmanship, featuring bespoke furniture from famous local ateliers like Poltrona Frau and Fendi Casa. One of its most extravagant features is the massive Katara Royal Suite. Spanning 1,000 square meters, it is one of the largest in Italy and even includes a private spa, a bulletproof room, and a dedicated diplomatic entrance for high-profile privacy.
Beyond the guest rooms, the hotel is a hub for wellness and fine dining. It boasts an expansive Shiseido Spa spread across two floors, complete with a Himalayan salt cabin and an indoor pool. On the seventh floor, the rooftop Terrazza Gallia offers not only spectacular city views but also exceptional cuisine crafted by the Michelin-starred Cerea family.
Its location on Piazza Duca d’Aosta puts you right next to the monumental Milano Centrale railway station. While it feels like an exclusive retreat, you are only a quick shuttle ride or short metro trip away from the historic heart of the city, where you can explore the Duomo, the legendary La Scala opera house, and the high-end boutiques of the fashion district.
Expert reviews
“Most signs of the landmark property’s sophisticated pedigree have been replaced by state-of-the-art luxuries, but one original feature that was preserved is the beautiful seven-story central staircase that now encircles a mesmerizing cascade of Murano-glass pendant lamps.”
“Renovated in 2015, with a nod to the decadence of the Jazz Age, the hotel’s gorgeous design and tech-forward accommodations bring Gatsby into the 21st century. The 1932 hotel is now composed of the original building and a connected, new glass-and-steel tower — the combination of old and new is all thoroughly modern Milan at its finest.”
“The Excelsior Gallia features glittering interiors, with acres of marble and glitzy motifs. It offers one of the city’s best spas, complete with swimming pool and golf simulator, while the top floor Terrazza Gallia serves excellent dishes and drinks overlooking the city rooftops.”
What guests liked
- Train station
- Great breakfast
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
23 July 2025
Good location if traveling via train. Also excellent location if planning to do day trips bus pickup right at hotel or
Proximity to Milano Central Station. Great breakfast.
6 July 2025
We enjoyed our stay at Excelsior Gallia. The location was great and rooms lovely and clean.
Rooms lovely and clean. Location was great and beds very comfortable.
16 June 2025
A beautiful hotel. Close to the train station
Our room was exceptional! The breakfast offered a large variety of breakfast items and the staff was wonderful
nothing
7 June 2025
Excellent location and attentive staff
Good overview hotel.
Price too high for the quality and service.
23 May 2025
I recommend this hotel for Arabs
I loved the location and the rooms
Somehow the it took them 45 minutes to bring the luggage.
28 April 2025
This is an excellent place to stay when in Milan.
The hotel was centrally located. Rooms and breakfast were excellent.
3 April 2025
Great location for Milan Centrale and very helpful staff.
The hotel was in a great location for the train station which was why we picked it (straight across the road) as we were travelling to Lake Como. The hotel is about a 10 min drive to the centre of Milan where the shops and restaurants are but the hotel has a free shuttle bus which we used. We only stayed one night and sadly it was a Saturday night and we could hear music in our room as we were trying to sleep for a very early airport trip in the morning but can’t fault the hotel for that. They gave us lovely breakfast boxes to eat on our way to the airport - a lovely touch.
25 February 2025
Spotless hotel I can’t wait to come back
Very friendly stuff I traveled with my family and we all had a good time
30 January 2025
A nice 5 star hotel.
Location, staff, breakfast, bar, offering a cigar room and the shuttle service to and from the city center were all excellent. A genuine 5 star hotel...
The only negative point for me was the size of the room. Any room in a five star hotel should be larger than the room I stayed.
19 January 2025
Comfort and quittance.
Comfort Bed, excellent shoer area, good staff
good services
Good Breakfast
small Room size , Value hi
13 September 2024
A gem in Milan!
The location is perfect if you want to tour areas in and around Milan. The Hotel staff are exceptional.
29 August 2024
I enjoyed staying at this hotel and would definitely stay here again!
Across the street from train station. They have a shuttle service. Excellent customer service!
Concierge wasn’t very helpful with restaurant recommendations.
22 August 2024
Enjoyed every single moment
Fantastic hotel, I liked everything
Nil
19 June 2024
I got true value for my money
I liked the cleanliness and comfort.
Good breakfast and friendly staff
Noisy atmosphere around
11 June 2024
city centre hotel
rooftop bar and swimming pool
excellent food in both bars and friendly staff
great breakfast selection
4 May 2024
A little bit a luxury in Milan
The staff, they were excellent and the hotel was beautiful
The spa facilities could have been explained as it was only by having a nosey we discovered a lovely relaxation room and additional facilities!
8 April 2024
Staff incredible as well as the hotel
Awesome place
Nothing
3 April 2024
Wonderful, comfortable and practical stay! We will be back.
My mother and I stayed at the hotel for 3 nights and we greatly enjoyed our stay! Top reasons:
- The location of the hotel.
- The free shuttles that go from the hotel to the city center.
- The hotel personnel are all extremely kind and efficient. A special thanks to Martina N. & Edoardo F. from the reception that went the extra mile to answer all our questions.
- The SPA and fitness area: clean, spacious, excellent equipment, functional and well designed.
- The hotel room and the beds that are extremely comfortable.
There was nothing we didn't enjoy from our stay at the hotel.
22 January 2024
Large well appointed property on outskirts of Milan
The marvelous American style
Bar and wonderful bathroom
Too far from Duomo etc
Needed to take subway
10 January 2024
Modern, spacious and very hospitable hotel
It is a very beautiful and modern hotel. Very spacious and located right on the corner of the railway and bus stops to all directions.
8 January 2024
Wonderful stay. The staff surprise us with chocolates
Conveniently located to Centrale station
Nothing
7 January 2024
A good overnight option. No frills.
Excellent restaurant and bar, clean and spacious room, well designed and beautifully decorated common areas.
A bit spartan, scratched/stained headboard, not very close to the city center.
21 December 2023
Overall it was a wonderful, luxury and comfortable experience. We will be visiting again.
It was a luxury experience with exceptional comfort and prestige. The staff were incredibly nice and capable. The facilities were luxurious and cozy at the same time.
Some parts of the paint on the walls came off but nothing too big of a deal.
2 December 2023
It was a memorable stay and exceptional for our anniversary. Thank you to all the team.
Excelsior hotel was fabulous. Thank you to Fabio for making our stay memorable.
13 November 2023
The amenities provided by the hotel were satisfactory. Overall, it was a positive experience during my stay at the hotel
I am pleased with the hotel's convenient location, cleanliness of the rooms, quality of the breakfast, and the friendly demeanor of the staff.
the room service food I ordered did not meet my expectations in terms of taste, presentation, and overall quality.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Barber/beauty shop
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Hammam
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Beauty services
- - Facial treatments
- - Waxing services
- - Make-up services
- - Hair treatments
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Haircut
- - Hair colouring
- - Hair styling
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Foot bath
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Fitness classes
- - Personal trainer
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Cooking class (additional charge)
- - Bicycle rental
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Street parking
Transport
- - Public transport tickets (additional charge)
- - Airport pick up (additional charge)
- - Airport drop off (additional charge)
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Emergency cord in bathroom
Pool and wellness
- - Pool with view
- - Pool cover
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
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30 July 2025
Very convinient and comfortable stay.