IHG Milan: Voco Milan Fiere - Your Dream Milan Stay Awaits!
IHG Milan: Voco Milan Fiere - Okay, Maybe Not My Dream, But Yours Could Be! (A Brutally Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the concrete jungle that is Milan, baby! And specifically, we're talking about the Voco Milan Fiere, part of the IHG family. The marketing makes it sound like a dream, a haven, the stuff of postcard fantasies. Let's see how much of that is actually true.
First Impressions: The Good, The Meh, and the Mildly Terrifying
Finding the place was… an adventure. Especially at night. (Maybe my fault for not reading the map properly… or maybe the signage could be clearer?). Anyway, once I got there, it looked sleek, modern, and all that jazz. The lobby? Big, bright, and kinda… sterile. I get it, "modern," but it lacked personality. I needed a tiny, ridiculously overpriced Italian espresso right then, and the first sign of potential was seeing a glimmer of a lobby bar.
Accessibility - Fingers Crossed & Hopes Held
Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, so take this with a grain of salt, people. But, and this is important, the website claimed accessibility. The elevator was definitely present (thank GOD), and I saw ramps in the lobby areas. My heart skipped a beat, as the possibility of a truly inclusive stay makes me smile. HOWEVER, I didn't see any actual accessible rooms (the website didn't show them, but maybe I just missed checking the right box when booking). Still, potential is there.
The Room: My Fortress of Solitude (or, at least, a Single-Occupancy Space)
Okay, the room. Clean. Seriously, clean. Like, I could've eaten off the floor (though I wouldn't). The air conditioning worked (huge points for Milan in summer!), and the blackout curtains were my best friend. Sleep is sacred, you know?
Available in All Rooms: The Checklist of Comfort & Beyond
- Air conditioning: Yes, thank the heavens!
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: Yes, I did feel somewhat posh.
- Bathroom phone: Okay, a bit extra, but hey, I could order room service from the tub!
- Bathtub: Yes, which was a HUGE win (I'm a bath person).
- Blackout curtains: See above. Essential.
- Carpeting: Fine, not my preferred style, but clean.
- Closet: Plenty of space for my strategically-overpacked suitcase.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, and a proper selection of both.
- Complimentary tea: Excellent!
- Daily housekeeping: They were thorough.
- Desk: Functional, though the chair wasn't the comfiest.
- Extra long bed: I'm 5’8 so no use for me!
- Free bottled water: Always a plus!
- Hair dryer: Yes. Essential.
- High floor: I didn't request it, but I got it. View was so-so
- In-room safe box: Security, check.
- Internet access – LAN: I didn’t use this, give me Wi-Fi any day
- Internet access – wireless: Yes, and it was fast!
- Ironing facilities: Check. Never actually used them, but good to know they're there.
- Laptop workspace: The desk. See above.
- Linens: Crisp, white, and clean.
- Mini bar: They had a surprisingly good selection.
- Mirror: Essential for selfie verification.
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- On-demand movies: Didn’t use it, but it's there.
- Private bathroom: Yes. Of course.
- Reading light: Check.
- Refrigerator: Good for chilling that prosecco.
- Safety/security feature: Smoke detector, etc. The usual.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yup.
- Scale: Okay, maybe a little depressing, but necessary after all the pasta.
- Seating area: Just a sofa, kinda small, but it worked.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Two tubs? Too good to be true.
- Shower: Yes.
- Slippers: Not in my room.
- Smoke detector: Good!
- Socket near the bed: Essential for charging everything.
- Sofa: See above.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good, actually.
- Telephone: Yes. For ordering that bath water.
- Toiletries: Decent, but nothing to write home about.
- Towels: Fluffy and plentiful.
- Umbrella: Not provided.
- Visual alarm: Not in my room.
- Wake-up service: Unused, but available.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Absolutely.
- Window that opens: Yes, but the view wasn’t great.
Internet Access & More Internet Access
Free Wi-Fi? YES! And it worked like a charm. I needed to upload photos of my meticulously crafted plate of pasta. No problems! There was also LAN access. Not for me, but it's there for the dinosaurs!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Fuel for My Milanese Adventure
- Restaurants: They had one, maybe two. I ate there… more on that in a minute.
- Bar: YES. My oasis. Beautifully stocked, with a skilled bartender.
- Coffee shop: Present and essential.
- Room service [24-hour]: Also essential, especially at 3 AM after a very late night.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Looked extensive, but the croissant was… meh.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The website promised these, but I only noticed a very vanilla continental/American breakfast.
- Bottle of water: Free, which is a plus.
- Breakfast takeaway service: They had this.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yup.
- Happy hour: Didn’t partake, but I saw the sign.
- Poolside bar: Doesn't have one… sadly!
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant: All there, all functional.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They accommodated dietary restrictions.
- Vegetarian restaurant: No clue.
Okay, Let's Talk About the Restaurant… (And My Emotional Breakdown)
Alright, let’s get real. I am a food fanatic. And the restaurant at Voco… well, it was a mix of highs and lows. It was clean, sanitized, and all that. But the food was… uneven. I ordered the… oh god, what was it? Some sort of pasta dish. The pasta was perfectly cooked. Al dente, creamy sauce… chef's kiss! Then, I glanced over. Had some amazing fish dish. Then the dessert? Sigh… pre-made, kinda bland, and just… sad.
I asked the waiter (who was lovely, by the way, truly a gem) if they source their ingredients from a local farmer. It was the worst question to ask. He explained the supply chain, the mass production, and my heart just… broke.
Things to Do (and Ways to Avoid Doing Them): The Spa & Gym
- Fitness center: It's there, ready for all the gym bunnies.
- Spa: Yes, with the usual treatments.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: They had some of them, but didn't use any. My priorities were sleeping, eating, and more sleeping.
- Pool with view: No idea, as there was no pool.
Cleanliness & Safety: Does it Feel Safe?
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: I felt pretty safe! They were serious about cleanliness. It also had:
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: All good things to see.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras That (Sometimes) Matter
- Contactless check-in/out: Yup.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is a vibe, a messy, beautiful, Italian-flavored vibe. We're diving headfirst into the voco Milan Fiere, and trust me, things are about to get… interesting.
The Unofficial, Highly Subjective & Probably-Off-Schedule Itinerary: Milan, Italy (Voco Milan Fiere Edition)
Day 1: "Lost in Translation (and Maybe a Little Jetlagged)"
- Morning (Or What Passes for it After a Red-Eye): Land at Milan Malpensa. I’m pretty sure I packed the right adapter, but who are we kidding? Knowing me, it's probably still in my suitcase, which is currently stuck on the carousel. Cue the frantic Googling for "nearest electronics store." Emotional reaction: Pure, unfiltered panic. I'm terrible with luggage.
- Mid-Morning (Around 10 am): Found the hotel shuttle (miracle!). Voco Milan Fiere. Check-in. The lobby is slick. Like, suspiciously slick. Did I accidentally wander into a James Bond film? The staff are annoyingly efficient and helpful, it's unsettling. They probably know my name already.
- Lunch (Sometime Around 1 pm, If I Can Find the Restaurant): Okay, this is where things get complicated. I'm notoriously indecisive. The hotel restaurant… hmmm… it looked nice. I think I'll just order something simple like a "small pizza." (Narrator voice): This is where the chaos begins. Pizza became a three-course, pasta-laden, wine-soaked experience. It was glorious. I think I saw a local with a very stylish dog, I remember thinking "I should get a dog while I'm here"
- Afternoon (2 pm,ish… maybe later): Nap. Oh, glorious nap. I swear, jet lag is a cruel mistress. Woke up at 4 pm, feeling vaguely guilty about wasting precious Milan hours.
- Late Afternoon (Maybe Sunset, who even knows?): "Exploring". Walked around the Fiera Milano district. It's… industrial. I'm not going to lie, It wasn't exactly the quaint, romantic Milan I was expecting. Found a gelato shop. Saved the whole afternoon. This gelato is life-changing. The pistachio… chef's kiss.
- Evening (7:00 pm onwards): Dinner near the hotel (again, "near" is subjective). Another pasta dish, because Italy. Also, wine. Lots of wine. Stumbled back to the hotel, vaguely contemplating my life choices. "Was that a good day or a bad day?" I didn't know. Felt both.
- Night: Watched Eurosport in Italian and realised I should learn the language. Emotional reaction: "This will never happen."
Day 2: "Art, Architecture, and Avoiding Tourist Traps (ish)"
- Morning (8:00 am): Breakfast. The coffee is strong. Praise the Italian gods of caffeine.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 am to 1:00 pm): Heading to the Duomo. Okay, the Duomo is breathtaking. Truly. Even a cynical travel writer like myself had to admit it. The sheer scale of the place is overwhelming. The line? Not so breathtaking. I spent an hour in the queue. (Pro-tip: buy your tickets online, you idiot.)
- Lunch (2:00 pm -ish): Found a small, non-touristy trattoria near the Duomo. The pasta here… perfection. Simple, delicious, and the waiter didn't even bat an eye when I spilled half my wine. That's when you know you're in a good place.
- Afternoon (3:00 pm -ish): The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It's beautiful, but so crowded you can barely move. I swear, half the people are just there to take selfies. I almost got run over by a fashion blogger with a Birkin bag the size of a small car. Reaction: Mild annoyance.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 - 6:00 pm): Searching for the Milan Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, somehow failed and went to a lovely park where I sat contemplating life. I found a nice place to sit and chill. Emotional reaction: Peace.
- Evening (7:00 pm onwards): Pizza again. I'm not even sorry. Wandering around the Navigli district. It's cute, canal-filled, and full of Aperol Spritz. Okay, I'm officially in love with Milan. It's messy, it's loud, it's chaotic, and it's wonderful. Reaction: Complete and utter contentment.
Day 3: "Ciao Milan (For Now)"
- Morning (8:00 am): Packing disaster. I swear, every time I pack, it's like I've never done it before.
- Mid-Morning (9:00 am): Breakfast at the hotel. Trying to make the most of it.
- Late Morning (10:00 am): Check-out. Said goodbye to the incredibly efficient staff. Honestly, I'll miss them, even if they are intimidating.
- Lunch (11:30 am): Last-minute gelato.
- Afternoon: Departure. So long, Milan. You glorious, chaotic, pizza-filled city. I have a feeling I will be back to see you. Emotional reaction: Sad, but already plotting my return.
Notes, Rambles, and Random Observations:
- The People: The Italians are stylish, friendly (mostly), and incredibly good-looking (in general).
- Transportation: Learn to use the metro. Seriously. It's the best way to get around. Also, watch out for scooters. They’re everywhere.
- Language: I tried to speak some Italian. It was mostly a disaster, but the locals were patient and (sometimes) amused.
- The Room: Voco Milan Fiere's rooms are nice, the bed supremely comfy.
- The Vibe: Milan is unapologetically itself. It's a beautiful mess, and that's what makes it so special.
- Regrets: Not staying longer. Not learning Italian. Not eating more gelato.
- Highlights: The Duomo. The gelato. The pasta. The entire experience, even the chaotic bits.
- Lowlights: The luggage carousel (seriously, what is with that?). The crowds.
This is just a starting point, of course. Your Milan adventure will be your adventure. Embrace the chaos, get lost, eat all the food, and let the city work its magic. Ciao!
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Voco Milan Fiere: Should You Bother? (A Messy But Honest FAQ)
Is the Voco Milan Fiere actually... *in* Fiere? Or am I going to be lugging suitcases ages?
Okay, this is one of *my* biggest pet peeves. "Fiere" makes you THINK you're right there. Like, a five-minute stroll. Nope. It's a... *walkable* distance, technically. In comfortable shoes. And on a good day. (Pro tip: don't try this in stilettos after a long day at the trade show. Trust me, I've been there, got the blisters, and the slightly murderous glares from my fellow attendees.) It’s not *super* far depending on the exact part of Fiere you need to get to. But factor in extra time. And maybe a taxi. I'd say it's a solid 15-20 minute walk, depending on how lost you get – which in Milan, is entirely possible. The name is a bit misleading. Honestly, I'd say it's more like "Voco Milan... Nearish Fiere, If You’re Really, Really Determined.”
The Rooms. Are they actually… nice? Or just another beige box of hotel-ness?
Alright, so the rooms… they're *pretty* good. Decent size. Not sprawling luxury, mind you, but definitely not coffin-like. I've slept in worse, particularly when forced to stay in a budget hotel in, say, Brussels. The beds? Comfortable. And crucial after a day dodging crowds and caffeine-induced jitters. I remember one time, I was *so* exhausted after a press event, I practically face-planted onto the bed. Woke up feeling surprisingly okay. (Bonus points for that!) They *try* to be stylish, you know, with the pops of color and modern accents. But sometimes, it feels like they *tried* a bit too hard. The decor is definitely... modern. Maybe a little *too* modern for my taste. I prefer a slightly less… stark, minimalist approach. Give me a cozy rug, a comfy armchair, and a few actual lamps that *produce* light, not just a faint glimmer. But overall? Not bad. Definitely above average. And clean, which is always, ALWAYS a win.
Breakfast – Yay or Nay? The most important question of all, probably…
OH, the breakfast! Okay, this is a bit of a rollercoaster. On a good day, it's glorious. Fresh pastries, proper Italian coffee, a selection of cheeses and cold cuts that makes your tastebuds sing. (The prosciutto! *Swoon*). But sometimes… and I swear, this is just my personal experience… it descends into mild breakfast chaos. Like, the scrambled eggs are suspiciously… watery. The coffee machine is perpetually broken. And finding a clean table is like winning the lottery. I *think* it depends on how busy they are, and maybe even the phase of the moon.
This one time, I was *starving*, late for a meeting I was already dreading, and the whole breakfast situation was a disaster. There was a line for the coffee... a *long* line. The eggs looked like they'd been swimming, and I only managed to snag a stale croissant. I mumbled my way through the meeting, fueled by a pathetic little pastry and a serious caffeine deficiency. So yeah, breakfast – it's a gamble. My advice? Arrive early. Pretend you're a hawk, scanning for the best pastries before the vultures descend. And maybe pack a backup energy bar, just in case.
Is the Staff… friendly? Or do they have that stereotypical… "Italian Service" look?
Okay, this is where Voco Milan Fiere *generally* shines. The staff are usually lovely. Friendly, helpful, and they genuinely *seem* to want you to have a good stay. They’re usually polite, which in the hotel industry, is always a bonus. I've had some truly *delightful* encounters with the reception staff, who were patient with my (terrible) Italian, and went above and beyond to help me when I managed to lock myself out of my room. (Don't ask.)
However… and there’s always a "however," isn’t there?… sometimes the service can be *slow.* Not like… slow-motion, glacier-paced slow, but definitely not lightning-fast. If you’re in a rush, be prepared for a slight wait. But honestly, I'd take friendly and slower over rushed and rude any day of the week. And most of them are really great. You know, kind of warm and welcoming, which is exactly what you want after a long day of… well, whatever you’re doing in Milan.
Does the Hotel have a Gym? Because after all that pasta, I NEED a gym!
Yes, they *do* have a gym. It's… functional. Let's put it that way. It has the essential equipment – treadmills, bikes, weights – the usual suspects. It's not a *fancy* gym, mind you. No personal trainers, no fancy views, no smoothie bar. (A smoothie bar would be *amazing*, actually.) But it'll do the job if you need to burn off some of those extra calories. I’ve used it. It's clean. It's relatively quiet. It doesn't smell like stale sweat. (Always a good sign!). But I wouldn't plan *my* entire Milan trip around the gym. It’s… there. It exists. And in a pinch, it's much better than running around the streets of Milan, dodging scooters and cobblestones, while nursing a pasta-induced food coma.
Location, Location, Location! Besides Fiere, what is around and accessible?
Okay, so the location… is a bit of a mixed bag. As we've established, Fiere is nearby. And if you’re attending a trade show there, that's a huge win. But beyond that… well, it’s not exactly *right* in the middle of the action. You're not stumbling out of the hotel and directly into amazing restaurants and iconic landmarks. You'll need to hop on the metro or grab a taxi to get to the main tourist areas. Yes, that means no spontaneous sunset strolls to the Duomo or evening aperitivos in the Navigli district. (Although, a little planning never hurt anyone.)
There are a few restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity, but they're mostly geared towards business travelers and… well, they're not exactly the height of Milanese chic. The upside? It’s generally quieter than being right in the city center (which can be a massive bonus after a long day of trade show madness). And getting to the metro is easy. It's not *perfect* if you crave constant action, but the *relative* calm might be a good thing. Consider it "Milan-adjacent." You're close enough for easy access, but far enough to escape the chaos sometimes.
Overall, Should I stay at Voco Milan Fiere?
Okay, the final verdict. Is the Voco Milan FCozy Stay Spot
