Straf, Milan, A Member Of Design Hotels

“Amazing location but designed with form over function”

The prime attraction of the the STRAF is the location. You walk out the front door directly into the back door of the Rinascente, the flagship department store of Italy. A few steps more and you're at the Duomo and The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. A little further and you're at La Scala. I would sta… more

The prime attraction of the the STRAF is the location. You walk out the front door directly into the back door of the Rinascente, the flagship department store of Italy. A few steps more and you're at the Duomo and The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. A little further and you're at La Scala. I would stay there for that reason alone. However, just be aware of the quirks of the hotel. The STRAF hotel is ultra modern and designed to be an art installation itself. There are some terrific amenities such as a smail spa with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. However, the rooms have been designed with form over function, and not to it's benefit. Just entering the room was odd as, at first, we couldn't figure out where the door was or how it opened (in our opinion is looked a bit prison-like.) A true annoyance was the lack of a towel hook or rack to hang towels on. NOT ONE. We had to leave our towels on the floor after each use. In addition, the beautiful pedestal sink has no counter surrounding it. Instead there's a low bench at your feet, so you're always bending down to get your toothbrush, cleansers etc. At our bedside awere a series of black light switches but no labels or anything suggesting which switch turned on which light. Each night it took several tries to get all of the lights off. There are no drawers or shelves to store clothing, which seems to be more common these days. The bed an pillows were comfortable and the room was quiet. All in all, it's a fine hotel; we would stay there again. Just be aware of it's quirks.

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“Not what I expected”

Similar to another review! No airflow hot in the rooms. I asked staff to please put AC and they said this is not allowed in Italy - to put the AC on in winter… they told me open windows but super loud and no screen does not make sense. I have status as a Bonvoy member no perks nothing. No breakfast… more

Similar to another review! No airflow hot in the rooms. I asked staff to please put AC and they said this is not allowed in Italy - to put the AC on in winter… they told me open windows but super loud and no screen does not make sense. I have status as a Bonvoy member no perks nothing. No breakfast included nothing…

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“So this one is a mixed bag,”

1. Amazing location right next to Duomo but this does mean it’s noisy. When windows are closed it is very quiet but the rooms are hoist and stuffy with no airflow. 2. Zero Bonvoy recognition, no acknowledgement of ANY benefits, no welcome amenity choice or points offered. 3. I had to ask about bene… more

1. Amazing location right next to Duomo but this does mean it’s noisy. When windows are closed it is very quiet but the rooms are hoist and stuffy with no airflow. 2. Zero Bonvoy recognition, no acknowledgement of ANY benefits, no welcome amenity choice or points offered. 3. I had to ask about benefits, was told we would be given a nice upgraded room, we weren’t. Was told the benefit included a 24 hour gym and access to the spa and pool, no breakfast. I was told this is because of the hotel being a special part of Design Hotels, yes i am aware of the restrictions but not of the total lack of courtesy or provisions of basic benefits. 4. As many have said, beyond the location, the hotel and staff seem to feel and over entitled level of ‘status’ because the hotel is so ‘cool’. Well it is functionally devoid of thought or consideration and is a text book example of design over function, attitude over execution. Let’s not forget why the hotel exists. Wehen one has to spend lengthy amounts of time just to find hidden light switches, one realises the designer lives in a bubble with no consideration of the fact that people need to function in the room. 5. Comfortable bed and pillows. 6. Staff are helpful at times and downright dismissive at others, emailed before arrival for restaurant recommendations and they told me they would advise when we checked in, when i asked at check in I was told you need to book in advance for many restaurants. Honestly, i found the request for assistance being denied as lazy and a cannot be bothered attitude, whilst everyone is friendly they certainly arent hospitable. 7. They have a WhatsApp number for you to ask anything, make a request and they advise you to send an email. Again most odd. Would i return? No! Was it terrible? No! Was it lacking as a Marriott Bonvoy member? Most definitely was it lacking in warmth and hospitality? without a doubt,

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