Hotel Straf

RAW, ELEMENTAL, TACTILE – Hotel Straf will appeal to those who like their comforts in an expensively stripped-down sort of way. Step from the street through a 19th century facade into a Japanese-calm space of low sofas and low lighting. Not a frill, flounce or frou-frou in sight; instead, swathes of dark slate, burnished brass, bare cement, textured glass, bold artworks and sober but handsome colours.

Black, white and red bedrooms have been pared down to their most seductive basics at The Straf: a large but simple bed, unobtrusive furniture, mirrored walls, cleverly hidden lights. Decoration is limited to a piece of abstract art, an artfully displayed bamboo twig, a single red apple, and a carelessly tossed throw. It’s the perfect, peaceful cocoon.

Bathrooms at The Straf are sumptuous with glittering bronze or gunmetal walls, sculptural white or black basins and huge mirrors. After a hard day’s shopping, slink – it’s that sort of place  – into the Straf Bar, a studiedly cool space of industrial art and retro ’70s furnishings. One of Milan’s classiest hang-outs.

Minimum fuss

Bedrooms are a case of minimum fuss, maximum pleasure. We adored our Wellbeing room, complete with Japanese massage chair,  and mood lighting. Won’t say what we did with the fab aromatherapy oils.

Milan’s twin temples of designer stores and culture are right at The Straf's door, and sleepy lovers can dip their croissants in cappuccino in the breakfast room – a sepulchrally calm space in white and black – before heading out for the inevitable full-on Milano shopping experience.

© Room for Romance