This is one post I think I can safely say I am expert on.

First of all KLM fly to Linate. Malpensa at that time of night is still at least an hour from the city centre. If you fly to Linate and book in at the Regent hotel it is only 5 mins from the airport and very close then to down town.

The lounge at MXP is OK, but nothing special. It is upstairs just a very small walk from the gate. It used to be near the Star Alliance lounge.

One thing I find on the flight to Milan is that there is always someone sat in your seat. Just give them the "I'm from the North of England" stare and they usually move. It does help if you speak some Italian and if you need any phrases sending to you by email that are very easily understood let me know.

The only reason I ever fly to MXP is when I visit my customer there as he is about 10km away and he picks me up, any other time I avoid it like the plague. The availability of hotels is pretty crap as well and the cost is crazy. Let me know if you need help with a hotel or a place to eat.

If you resort to taking a taxi, they will charge you a fortune, even if you agree the price before you leave the airport. The bus is OK and goes to Stazione Centrale and there are lots of good hotels I can reccomend within walking distance of there, again let me know if you need my help as I know a number of the owners.

If you take the stupid train, it only goes to Cadorne, which is neither use nor ornament and it stops running about 21.30 or something like that.

If you can change the flight to Linate, especially if you need to be down town. It like flying to Berwick u Tweed to be in Newcastle.