10/10
“Fabulous!”
Gorgeous hotel in an amazing location. We loved the room and the terrace. Outstanding service.
Milan · head to head
Bvlgari Hotel Milano vs Excelsior Hotel Gallia
Priced on the same night, 2026-10-10: Excelsior Hotel Gallia is $1,808 a night less. They are 2.0 km apart.
Book takes you to the exact room at that rate on HotelDupe's booking partner. Confirmation arrives by email; manage or cancel any time from Find your booking.
The honest take
Book the Excelsior Hotel Gallia unless money is no concern: at $609 a night against $2,440, it is a fifth of the price, has more than four times the reviews, and adds a rooftop restaurant the Bvlgari doesn't have. The Bvlgari is the finer piece of design and the more serene address, tucked against the Botanical Gardens rather than facing Milano Centrale station, but that difference is bought at extraordinary cost. For most visitors the Gallia's scale, service reputation and price make it the sounder booking; the Bvlgari is for those who want the single most refined hotel experience in Milan and can pay for it.
The look and the feel
Bvlgari Hotel Milano
Antonio Citterio designed the interiors here, and it shows in the restraint: travertine, dark wenge wood, bronze detailing, a low horizontal architecture that keeps its distance from the fashion-district noise on Via Gabba. The hotel sits against its own walled garden, three hectares shared with the Botanical Gardens next door, and many rooms look straight into greenery rather than street. The spa pool is the one flourish allowed to shine, glass mosaics in gold and emerald under moody lighting, a deliberate contrast to the calm above. It draws a discreet, monied crowd who want Milan's fashion quarter without being seen in it.
Couples or solo travellers who want a small, hushed, design-led hotel and are prepared to pay for privacy and a garden setting.
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
The Gallia is a grand 1932 railway hotel opposite Milano Centrale, later given a full contemporary overhaul with Italian designer furniture and floor-to-ceiling glazing, so the bones are Art Deco but the finish is glossy and current. The La Cupola Rooms sit under the hotel's original dome, a proper set piece for events, while the 1000-square-metre Shiseido spa and the rooftop Terrazza Gallia restaurant give it a bigger, more public sense of occasion than a boutique property. The station-square address means bustle and taxis rather than garden quiet, and the crowd is a broader mix of business travellers, event guests and tourists.
Business travellers, event-goers and anyone who wants grand-hotel scale, a rooftop restaurant and easy station access at a fraction of the price.
Nothing on the facility list separates them except the rooftop, which only the Gallia has; the real cost to the Bvlgari guest is scale and address, since the Gallia is bigger, busier and sits by the station rather than a private garden.
The Bvlgari is the more beautiful place to simply be, its Citterio-designed calm and garden setting outclassing the Gallia's glossier, noisier grandeur.
The numbers
| Bvlgari Hotel Milano | Excelsior Hotel Gallia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same night | $2,183 | $375 |
| Guest rating | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Reviews | 222 | 1030 |
| Stars | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Facilities on our list | 8 | 9 |
| Distance apart | 2.0 km |
What one has that the other doesn't
Only Bvlgari Hotel Milano has
Nothing on our list that Excelsior Hotel Gallia lacks.
Only Excelsior Hotel Gallia has
- Rooftop
What guests actually say
Bvlgari Hotel Milano
- gorgeous hotel and location
- loved the terrace
- outstanding service
“Gorgeous hotel in an amazing location.”
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
- friendly, helpful staff
- great breakfast
- spa is a wonderful retreat
- further from central Milan sights
“The spa is a wonderful retreat after a day of sightseeing”
Bvlgari guests come away happier, praising flawless service and setting with no complaints, while Excelsior guests are largely pleased but note the location is further from the main sights.
Rooms & rates, 2026-10-10
Bvlgari Hotel Milano
- Superior Room, 1 King Bed, Non SmokingRoom Only$2,165
- Superior, Guest Room, 1 KingRoom Only · free cancellation$2,183
- Superior Room, 1 King Bed, Non SmokingBreakfast Included$2,204
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
- Premium RoomRoom Only$377
- Premium Room, 1 King Bed, Non SmokingRoom Only$379
- Premium Room, 1 King BedRoom Only$381
In guests' own words
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
9/10
“I had a fantastic stay at the hotel. Accessing other tourist attractions in the city from the hotel”
I enjoyed my stay at the hotel. The breakfast was superb. The hotel's location and proximity to the train station are very nice. The staff is friendly and always eager to provide their support.
8/10
“Good hotel”
We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. Pros: Restaurant food is good but unfortunately their fine dining restaurant was closed for August. Service is lovely (especially front desk and restaurant) The spa is a wonderful retreat after a day of sightseeing Location is great if you are arriving or departing from train station. Concierge had great food recommendations! Guest services were very helpful and responsive via emai
10/10
“Top of the top”
Best of the best
The perfect 5 star experience
About each
Bvlgari Hotel Milano
Luxurious Boutique Property Located adjacent to Milan's prestigious Via Montenapoleone, Bulgari Hotel Milano offers a refined and exclusive experience. The comfortable rooms provide views of the magical garden and Botanical Gardens, blending modern design with high-tech features. Relaxing Spa Retreat Indulge in the spa's indoor swimming pool surrounded by…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
Luxurious Accommodation in the Heart of Milan Designer Rooms and Spa : Indulge in luxury with Italian design furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and Trussardi toiletries in every room. Relax at the 1000-m² Shiseido spa or dine at the rooftop restaurant. Versatile Conference Facilities : Host successful events in our conference center accommodating up to…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Facilities, in full
Bvlgari Hotel Milano
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Garden
- Pets allowed
Excelsior Hotel Gallia
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Pets allowed
Where they are
Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/BPiazza Duca D'Aosta 9
More comparisons in Milan
Four Seasons Hotel Milano vs Bvlgari Hotel MilanoFour Seasons Hotel Milano vs Mandarin OrientalFour Seasons Hotel Milano vs Park Hyatt MilanoFour Seasons Hotel Milano vs Armani Hotel MilanoFour Seasons Hotel Milano vs Hotel Principe Di SavoiaFour Seasons Hotel Milano vs Excelsior Hotel GalliaBvlgari Hotel Milano vs Mandarin OrientalBvlgari Hotel Milano vs Park Hyatt Milano
Rates are live for 2026-10-10, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons