Review Grand hotel Torretta Milano by Curio. Beautiful facility but the Hilton standard is not there

What is the use of having a super powerful computer if the operating system is outdated or having an Iphone 12 pro with GSM line? Here in a nutshell is my experience at this hotel, incredible hardware with inadequate software.

Let me preface by saying that this was not my first visit to this historic Milanese hotel, which in recent years has entered the Hilton portfolio under the Curio banner, the one that identifies the most luxurious facilities along with Conrad and Waldorf Astoria.

Reservation

At this time, sleeping in this facility using the Hilton Honors Points costs 22k HH, while before the price went up as high as 30k. Speaking in cash, on average the price is less than 100k per night.

Given also the current promotion that allows you to earn double points for all stays and extra points, I chose to book by paying for the reservation with my American Express thus earning Honors points and Membership Rewards points

The facility and check-in

The hotel is easily accessible from the ring road and the Turin-Milan highway, equipped with ample parking it is truly a gorgeous villa in the middle of the countryside, it is hard to think of being in Milan.

Upon arrival I am informed that, given my Gold status in the hotel chain's loyalty program, I had received an upgrade to a higher level of room.

The villa is a historic structure, frescoes on the walls, wooden ceilings, and attention to detail in the level common areas.

The room

My room was on the second floor and overlooked the courtyard access to the facility.

This hotel is an oasis of peace, for it to be perfect it should also offer a SPA and a swimming pool, we hope they can come in the future.

There is what you expect, but many things could be improved. Wood flooring, lounging area, appropriately sized screen.

The Hilton standard is totally missing, in the big things and in the small details.

The bathroom shows its years and all the flaws I had already found on my first visit.

In my room, the phone did not work, and in a red zone situation where a guest would want to know if the hotel offers catering or ask about what is or is not allowed to do in Milan, this is a flaw you don't expect from a Grand Hotel, let alone a Curio.

The same goes for the shower, I consider myself a serial traveler and yet this is the first time in my life that I had to call room service to ask how to turn on the water in the shower head.

When the maid arrived, she too fumbled for a minute before finding the right combination of gears.

Available in the room is everything (or almost everything) lacks a coffee maker but there is a kettle, mini bar stocked with bottles of water (free for Hilton Honors program members) and even soft drinks and snacks, which is not a given these days.

The king bed is of good quality and right choice of pillows. Lacking, however, is the Hilton standard starting with the Clean Stay protocol, the only thing present is the label at the door, but not everything else as we recounted In our experience at the Hilton Milan.

Food & Beverage

In the 1800s this must have been a very funny house, the restaurant and breakfast room on the second floor were in the area opposite my room, and to reach it I had to go through "by intuition" dark corridors and rooms.

Some halls are eager to return to the "former world" so that they can once again host banquets and special events.

The walls of the dining room tell the story of the establishment. Unfortunately, as with the room, it is the details that make the difference.

The only waiter in the room manages to do his job well, but he cannot contain the politeness of some guests, so much so that other patrons asked to be moved.

We are not in a starred restaurant, but certain aperitif attitudes on the Navigli should not be allowed. Out of respect for all the other guests in the room.

I ordered an Angus filet rare; the cooking was not perfect, but the meat was good as was the bread basket, which was incredibly varied.

I did not opt for breakfast at the hotel in preference to another 1,000 bonus points via the Hilton app.

In conclusion

If I choose Curio, I am choosing a top-level facility, and unfortunately the Grand Hotel Torretta is not.

It would have all the credentials to be, but it lacks a non-Hilton approach. If it did not belong to the American chain the expectations would be different and the rating probably better, but if you decide to espouse a philosophy you have to maintain that standard. I always like to give a second chance when I don't fit in, and I must say that both times the test failed.

• Hilton Honors