The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023 - Issue 33

bitetravel L ike an authentic fashion house, Radisson Collection Hotel Santa Sofia Milan in downtown Milan exudes personality and joie de vivre (joy of living). It combines landmark architecture, eclectic interiors, exceptional gastronom- ic experiences, personalised service and luxurious amenities. Its location at the Via Santa Sofia and Corso Italia intersection is halfway between Piazza del Duomo and the famous Navigli canal district. You'll find entertainment venues, lively squares, shopping streets, and easy access to all the city's attractions within the neighbour- hood. Explore the ancient Roman columns of San Lorenzo, Santa Maria dei Mirecoli e San Celso church and Basilica di Sant'Eus- torgio with its colourful frescoes and the Naviglio Grande with its fill of restaurants, bars and nightlife by the water a few steps from the hotel. The original headquarters of Allianz Italia from the 1960s was transformed into a spectacular five-star luxury hotel by architects Studio Marco Piva over four years. They adapted it to business and hospitality needs with high standards of aesthetics, functionality and efficient use of resources, aiming to achieve a LEED (Leader- ship in Energy and Environmental Design) level gold certification. Its original façade clad in trachyte from Veneto was accentuated with new exterior lighting, and the original roof characterised with oxidised copper pitches marked the building’s architectural signifi- cance in the Milanese cityscape. The 159 rooms and suites were de- signed as small urban lofts with large windows, abundant natural light, and soft dark curtains for privacy. Amenities include Culti Milano diffusers, soft bathrobes, and Nespresso coffee machines. With custom-built furniture, the juxtaposition of warm, natu- ral materials, including wood, leather, glass and metals and rich brown, black and navy blue palettes creates an atmosphere reflect- ing Milan's character style. The interior public spaces created by Milanese designers AtelierP and Alessandro Cesario embrace the design aesthetic of 'elegant maximalism' and bold geometric pat- terns on the floor inspired by classic Milanese mansions. In the hotel lobby and reception area, adjacent co-working spac- es, and the all-day dining restaurant, Sofia Kitchen & Bar, a visual stimulation gives guests an eclectic mix of contrasting elements from different eras of Milanese history. The restaurant serves Med- iterranean dishes, international and European favourites, and an extensive wine list, including Italian produce and cocktails. It oc- cupies a space in the former courtyard of the building, now cov- ered by a glass roof. Here, damask and oriental motifs, art nouveau and modern ob- jects create a new living room for the Milanese, taking inspiration from the green of the Milanese fountains, streetcars and 1960s tax- is. On the fourth floor, an outdoor swimming pool and lounge bar will open during the warmer months, where guests can take a dip, swim a few laps or relax on comfortable deck chairs while enjoying a glass of wine or an aperitif. On the seventh-floor terrace, guests can expect to see great views of Milan. ISSEI Rooftop, the fine-dining restaurant and bar, spe- cialises in Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian, blend- ing fresh ingredients with earthy flavours and a medley of spices. Signature dishes and desserts include Hamachi ceviche with yuzu leech de tigre; Wagyu beef tartare with crispy rice; nori tacos with grilled lobster, yuzu soy and rococo mayonnaise; and tres leches cake with matcha ice cream. Radisson Collection Hotel Santa Sofia Milan joins other Italian properties, Palazzo Nani Venice, Palazzo Touring Club Milan, Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo, and Palazzo Montemar- tini Rome. https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-collec- tion-santa-sofia-milan Radisson Collection Hotel Santa Sofia Milan Reopens as a New Luxury Hotel Images courtesy of Radisson Hotel Group