It was too early to try the aperitivo spots that were on my list, so I asked ChatGPT to show me some of Milan’s “hidden gems.” It came with several options, including Porta Ticinii, which she described as a “modern area with vintage shops, street art and a lively nightlife”.
But I was itching to see some art and history and chose another ChatGPT suggestion: the San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, A church filled with stunning, vividly painted frescoes that depict stories of saints and scenes from the Bible. There were no lines, and it was a peaceful way to wind down the day before a traditional (and delicious) Milanese veal chop dinner awaited Locanda Alla Scala, Last stop on my virtual assistant’s itinerary.
I asked ChatGPT to recommend a midrange boutique hotel for the night and it provided four options, each with a one-sentence description. Typically, I do extensive research before booking a hotel room – reading reviews and asking local friends for recommendations. But after all, it was an experiment, so I trusted Travel Assistant and on my first night chose Hotel Milano ScalaDescribed by ChatGPT as a boutique hotel with a “focus on sustainability and wellness”.
The hotel had a convenient central location within walking distance of many major attractions. Staff were friendly, and the room was comfortable and clean, boasting “excellent indoor air quality” provided by a filtration system. But despite being a small boutique hotel, it’s overrun by tourists, especially at breakfast, when groups arrive at the dining room at the same time.
human touch
In contrast, the Locanda PandanusWhere I stayed the other night, on the recommendation of Franziska Basso, Milan-based travel designer Dreamstime Exclusive Travels (a member of the Luxury Virtuoso network), was more like a home stay than a hotel. With only four bedrooms, accessed by a small staircase above a restaurant, it was quiet and comfortable and felt cut off from the hustle and bustle of the city, despite being in the charming Brera neighbourhood, filled with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.
