Review of the new Doubletree Milan Malpensa. Close to the airport, but not too close

This structure Is the latest addition to the Hilton Group in Lombardy, the sixth hotel of the American hotel chain in the Milan area, more specifically in the vicinity of Milan Malpensa Airport.

This is not a new opening, but of an existing hotel that, after a makeover, joined the group under the Doubletree banner, the one famous for the cookie.

Reservation

As always, I booked through the official Hilton app, this way I can take advantage of the benefits provided by the status and accumulate points and bonuses during the stay.

Thanks to the American Express Platinum status is achieved in the Hilton Honors loyalty program, this level is undoubtedly the best hotel-related benefit of this paper because it guarantees free breakfast, bonus points and possibility of getting room upgrades.

The cost of a room at the time of booking was 91€, I opted for the basic room but chose the X2 rate. This rate allows you to accumulate double the base points, is totally flexible and allows you to cancel the room without penalty until the day before arrival. The price difference was less than 10€, definitely attractive: for an expenditure of 8.99, I got about 1,000 more HH points. If desired, it is also possible to make reservations using points at a cost of 20k HHonors per night.

A few days before arriving at the hotel, I received the email announcing the free room upgrade, also thanks to the free status that I get through my American Express Platinum.

Location

The hotel is located in Solbiate Olona, easily reached from the Busto A. exit on the Milan-Varese highway. After the Moxy Malpensa, which is in front of T2, and the Sheraton in front of T1, this is definitely the most convenient hotel in the vicinity of Italy's second airport.

In addition to being convenient to Malpensa Airport, this facility is also perfect as a plan B during the super-crowded times in Milan (Salone del Mobile, Fashion Week, etc.) and is also very interesting to travel to the Milan Fair. Nearby it has a shopping center and a golf course is right in front of the hotel door.

Check-in

I arrived around 10 p.m. The effect at night is really pleasant. All common areas face the entrance side, and from the outside you can see everything thanks to the glass window that runs from one side of the structure to the other.

There were three staff at the front desk, not bad considering the hour. Classic welcome and paperwork handled quickly. I was not reminded of the upgrade I had received, but little harm since I had seen the email. Received the keys and headed for the elevator when I realized I was missing something.

The dedicated cookie store inside the Doubletree resort in Phuket

I had not been given the cookie!!!!!! The hotel's symbol, the famous chocolate cookie, which is served to all guests during check-in. On the way back, I pointed out the lack of the treat, of which I have a real sweet tooth: to make it up to me, the receptionist presented me with two cookies instead of one. Too bad, however, that they were both cold, whereas they are usually kept warm ready to be devoured.

The room

As mentioned, it is not a new construction, but a hotel that decided to become part of the Hilton group. The structure is a three-story horseshoe-shaped building that faces an inner courtyard, while the ground floor contains meeting rooms, restaurant, gymnasium, and common areas.

On a hunch I say that the rooms have not been redone from scratch, but I could be wrong since I had never stayed in this hotel before today. The room is large and the decor is designed to make the most of every inch. The special feature is the presence of mirrors on almost every wall.

The king bed and mattress are a guarantee, one hardly sleeps badly in these hotels. Of course, each of us has our own preferences in terms of mattress, this one was very firm, as I like it, with a basic topper. In the center of the wall in front of the bed a huge TV screen.

I was surprised by the presence of the stocked minibar, instead of the usual empty refrigerator with at most the two free bottles of water that are given away to guests enrolled in the Hilton Honors loyalty program. Although there was no bottle opener to open the Cocacola.

The bathroom was also within the norm, with everything that Doubletree facilities normally offer.

Services

On the ground floor there is a gymnasium, it is really small compared to the number of rooms in the facility. In front of the entrance is a resort with a golf course and lots of greenery to run around in. However, we are in Varese and it is not very hot in winter.

There is also a bar and a series of sofas in the lobby, but let's just say it doesn't offer much else.

Breakfast

The breakfast room is very large; it is almost a reception hall.

It is very bright due to its overlooking the inner courtyard and large windows.

The buffet is in the normal range. There is everything you would expect, nothing special and nothing extra. The hot offerings are limited to scrambled eggs and bacon/sausage, then there are sliced meats, cheeses and the sweet side with croissants, muffins and jams. Even the staff seems "unfocused," perhaps because they are new.

Let's say it is inferior in quality and proposal to what the Doubletree Milan and also the other hotels in the Milan area.

In conclusion

Under 100€, as in my case, it is a good choice for sleeping either in the Milan or Malpensa area. Of course, there was no as comfortable as at the Moxy o at the Sheraton, but it is definitely better located than the Garden Inn Malpensa. The facility is beautiful and colorful, the entrance at night is very impressive, perhaps still lacking Hilton training for all staff, I had never had them forget to give me a cookie upon arrival.

• Hilton Honors
• hotels near airport

The verdict

The property is convenient to get to, close to the airport (but not too close), and is also good as a base between Milan and Varese during peak season or for moving quickly to the Fiera di Rho area. It still lacks a little bit of training in the Hilton key. There are standard phrases and actions that are replicated all over the world at check-in that are missing here, but it is noticed just by those who spend 60 nights a year in these hotels like me.

6.5

Pro

• Easy to reach
• Free parking

Against

• Breakfast staff "undergoing apprenticeships"