Briefly, my favorite hotel in the Galleria area is the De la Ville, tucked away in the warren of narrow streets just north of the Duomo. It is very small, intimate and cozy-- which means that the rooms can also be a bit small. As long as there is not a trade fair in town, I have always had luck getting a good rate there via any number of websites. It is just around the corner from Luini's pizzeria, which has the most wonderful panzerotti I have found in northern Italy.

But, I also like the Spadari al Duomo for the reasons suggested by Jane. To be steps away from the Peck food emporium and all the other wonderful little stores and coffee shops on that street is a delight. I did not think the Spadari was as comfortable a hotel as the De la Ville however.

And to be blunt about one other recommendation, I did not like the Carlyle Brera at all. Although reasonably convenient to the historic district center, it is still a good ways from the Duomo. Along with the other poster's impressions, I also found it a little too stark, spare, and modernly hard-edged for my tastes. The breakfast they put out seemed a careless after-thought.

Joel, in frigid Chicago