A new chapter unfolds in Milan as Rocco Forte Hotels unveils The Carlton, its tenth address in Italy. Founded in 1996 by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Lady Olga Polizzi, the family-led collection has long been celebrated for transforming landmark buildings into destinations rich with character and a sense of place. Today, spanning 15 hotels, resorts, residences and villas, it’s shaped by four generations of hospitality heritage, where thoughtful service and local authenticity come together to reveal the soul of each destination.
Conceived by architects Philip Vergeylen and Paolo Moschino under the creative direction of Olga Polizzi, The Carlton is a study in Milanese refinement. Framed by entrances on Via Senato and Via della Spiga, the hotel brings heritage and modernity into effortless dialogue, weaving contemporary design, bold palettes and Art Deco flourishes into a timeless expression of elegance.
With 71 rooms and suites, alongside two restaurants, a bar and spa, The Carlton redefines one of Milan’s most prestigious addresses. Comprising 42 rooms, 14 junior suites and 15 suites, it takes shape as an intimate retreat shaped by the city’s sartorial legacy. Deep tones of green, black and bronze are layered with leather accents, hand-painted wallpapers by San Patrignano inspired by Anni Albers, and curated antiques, creating a dialogue between nostalgia and modern refinement. The signature suites express tactile opulence through luxurious fabrics, neoclassical detailing and bold colour accents, balancing comfort with historical nuance. Bathrooms elevate the experience further, where Carrara marble meets Verde Issorie stone inlays and Murano glass accents, forming sculptural spaces of calm precision.
Leather headboards inspired by Paolo Buffa introduce decorative studs and bold graphic detailing, echoing Milanese elegance and the city’s heritage in fine leather craftsmanship. Layered palettes and mixed materials shape a tactile, visually rich atmosphere. Bespoke wallpapers, hand-painted by San Patrignano and inspired by Anni Albers’ textiles, fuse geometric patterns with soft watercolour effects, transforming each wall into a vertical fabric animated by light and texture. Mid-century–inspired bespoke furniture completes the rooms, where every element is resolved through balance, function and expressive restraint.
Rooted in Fulvio Pierangelini’s culinary ethos, The Carlton’s gastronomic world is presented across three distinct yet interconnected spaces in Milan’s Fashion District. At Spiga, Chef Pierangelini celebrates seasonal purity, shaping a menu defined by refined simplicity and the finest local ingredients. Entered via Via della Spiga, Café Floretta pairs botanical-inspired interiors with daylight filtered through its domed glass roof, creating a luminous setting for all-day dining, gatherings and events. The Carlton Bar reinterprets Italy’s aperitivo ritual through signature creations by mixologist Salvatore Calabrese, evoking Milan’s creative spirit of the 1960s to 1980s. The Carlton Garden extends the experience outdoors, completing the hotel’s social rhythm.
The Irene Forte Spa opens as a 280-square-metre sanctuary where bio-innovation meets ancestral healing and the regenerative power of nature. Treatment rooms, a nail salon and a Thermal & Relaxation Suite — complete with sauna, steam room, sensory showers and sound beds — shape an immersive ritual of restoration, complemented by the Forte Vita Bar and an all-day fitness centre for a cosmopolitan approach to wellbeing.
Reflecting on the opening, Sir Rocco Forte — CEO and Chairman of the company he co-founded with his sister Lady Olga Polizzi — remarked: “It’s wonderful to be opening a hotel in the heart of Milan. The city has become one of the most vibrant centres in Europe and economically one of the fastest growing. It’s an honour to be part of this. The Carlton is a chic new watering hole for the connoisseurs and Milan’s most sophisticated clientele.” A fitting addition to a city where culture, design and commerce continue to converge, Milan’s momentum finding yet another considered expression in The Carlton…
The Carlton Milan
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