Ricordo

This flat is one of those places that makes you feel at home as soon as you arrive. It's full of gusto – think vivid greens, bright reds, glitzy gold mirrors and at the centre of it all, a gorgeous jungle-themed wallpaper that adds the perfect amount of pizazz.

The living room was our favourite spot to relax and unwind after a long day, but the Japanese-style bathroom, Scandi-style kitchen and the cosy bedroom were just as stylish. Although there's nowhere to sit, we enjoyed the small balcony, too – it catches the evening sun and looks out over the bustling city streets, so you can stand with a glass of wine and watch the world pass by.

Location-wise, you're nestled at the edge of Chinatown and Sempione, so there's a vast array of bars and restaurants of all types within walking distance. Runners can start their morning off with a jog through Parco Sempione (fourteen minutes on foot) before enjoying a day sightseeing – Castello Sforzesco (a twenty-minute stroll), Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (half an hour on foot) and the Duomo (walkable in thirty-five minutes) are all within easy reach.

Home truths:
*At capacity, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living room *The main bed is two singles joined together rather than a real double *The kitchen's generally well equipped but there's no dishwasher *The balcony is small – although you can step out onto it, there’s nowhere to sit *This home is in a central spot, so some road noise is to be expected *The boiler is small, so four long showers in a row may be too much for it *There's no wardrobe in the main bedroom, but there is a walk-in closet at the end of the hallway *Parking is tricky in Milan – we suggest exploring on foot or taking advantage of public transport