Best New Hotels 2008:The Chedi Milan

Set in a stark industrial neighbourhood north-west of the city centre, the latest Chedi is not what you’d expect. While it may lack the breathtaking setting of its sister hotels in Asia, it creates a rare ambience of Asian zen in a classical European city. Against a backdrop of rich brown and soft sandy colours, the simple but elegant rooms are fitted with dark timber furniture and sleek sofas – an idyllic cocoon away from the notoriously grey skies of Milan and the pace of one of Italy’s biggest cities. By far the best feature of the guestrooms is the vast bathroom decorated in muted earthy tones. A brand new beauty spa adds to the hotel’s already impressive features, and the restaurant offers a fab choice of Thai, Indian and Italian food.

We love the vast sand-coloured bathrooms filled with candles and fresh orchids – they add to the Asian calm.

Rooms from about $400, www.thechedimilan.com.
JOSEPHINE MCKENNA