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Where the Famous People Stay in Milan

Where: 29 Via Manzoni, Milan, Italy, 20121

This week we continue our series on European hotels. Since Vogue and Versace have apparently heralded the return of the supermodel, we decided to check in on Italy's fashion capital, Milan, for some cool places to stay and at least one to avoid. But if you have any suggestions for us on what to hit up or to stay far far far away from, let us know.

Looking for a pricey getaway in Milan?

The Grand Hotel Et De Milan is the hotel in Milan that combines luxury with history and counts famous people--mostly from the opera and art world--among its guests for over 100 years.

The hotel originally opened in 1863 and was a big favorite of composer Guiseppe Verdi. Though its fourth floor was later destroyed during World War II, the hotel has undergone two reconstructions--one immediately after the war ended and another back in the early 90s. Among the famous people who have stayed at the hotel, often called the Albergo di Milano, recently? Mostly fashionistas and filmmakers like Roman Polansky, Roberto Begnini, Helmut Newton, Sofia Loren, Jean Paul Gautier, Claudia Schiffer, and watch out housekeeping, Naomi Campbell.

Although the booking site says a classic room starts at 300 Euros, it's more like over 400 and breakfast is not included, unless there is a package for it. Room choices are the smallish classic room, a slightly large deluxe  room, then junior suites (either the Maria Callas or the Tamara de Lempicka, a Polish painter) and the regular suites, like the Guiseppe Verdi suite.

The location is prime on the Via Manzoni and opposite the Via Montenapoleone, which is right around the corner from  La Scala, the Cathedral, and within walking distance to the musuems and the Financial District. And if you're going to Milan to drop some dollars, ask the hotel to send a chauffered car to pick you up at the airport.

Inside the hotel is a bar and two restaraunts, Caruso and Don Carlos. The latter which has a wine cellar of "prestigous wines" that might be worth a look. When you're done gorging on Italian food, the hotel has a fitness center on its second floor with views of the city.

The reviews on this place are short and sweet, with almost everyone praising the hotel's location, staff and comfortable rooms. And though there has to be something wrong with this place, the only big negative seems to be the price. But as fashion insiders would say, If you got it, work it.

Related Stories:
· Grand  Hotel et de Milan [TripAdvisor]