Mini review of the "Ibis Milano Ca Granda" and the "Novotel Milano Nord Ca Granda"


PROs

-Both the Ibis and Novotel "Ca Granda" properties are right next to eachother so very useful if you want to hotel hop.

-Metro station "Ca Granda" (line 5 - purple color) is a 4 minute walk away (However not nice to walk to/from during darkness - see negative point below)

-Rates at these 2 properties are significantly lower than staying in central Milan.

-Windows at both the ibis and Novotel can be opened for fresh air.


CONs

-The walk to/from the metro station "Ca Granda" is fine in daylight hours but is very dark during night time. Street lighting is very poor and the area looks semi abandoned. If you are arriving at night time and do not know the exact direction to walk it's easy to get lost.

-This is a residential area with very few restaurants or shops in walking distance. You may feel quite isolated at times.

-There is a very long and large fountain on the outer side of the hotel facing the main road. I'm not sure if it belongs to the hotel grounds or is a public fountain. In any case there is a lot of non moving dirty stagnant water in it (perhaps rainwater ??) that is a huge breeding ground for thousands of mosquitoes, which means you can't have your window open too long at either of the 2 hotels if it is facing this fountain.

-The Novotel had a lot of small problems. Room was not ready at check-in time. No upgrade despite being platinum. The sink water had a bad smell to it. Connecting doors made for poor noise insulation and you can hear everything from your neighbours. Large groups use this hotel causing noise in the hallways at odd hours. Reception does not pick up when you try to call them. Ordering room service has a large surcharge.

--The Ibis property has a pet friendly policy. Some people might see this as a plus but for me it meant having to listen to a barking dog all night long in a room about 3 or 4 doors down. Also there were dog scratch marks at the head of my bed from a previous guest that had their dog on the bed.

-The Ibis rooms have no hot water kettle and no spyhole in the room doors. The in room safe is way too small for anything larger than a smartphone.


Conclusion

I would only return here is nightly rates were too expensive in a more city central location. Otherwise these properties are too far away from the city center and have a host of small annoying details that make any cost saving superfluous. Also if for any reason the metro is not working, you are looking at a long taxi journey.