As part of my two-month trip to Europe and Morocco, I decided to stop for a few days in Milan, a city I had never visited. I took the opportunity to stay two nights at the AC Hotel Milan Sesto, one of the two AC hotels in Milan.

It’s a new four-star rated Marriott Bonvoy hotel with 155 rooms, meeting space, private parking (with electric charging station!) and pet-friendly. The AC hotel brand is known for being business traveler friendly, so I knew when I booked it would allow me to do seamless remote work while staying there.

After spending a few days in the tourist area, I completed my stay in Milan at the AC Hotel Milan Sesto for my last two nights. I have chosen to use my annual one-night free certificate obtained with my Marriott Bonvoy^MD American Express^MD* Card. Since one night cost 30,000 points and the certificate is worth 35,000 points, I was able to use it and still keep my earned points.

The second night was priced at 180 euros, but prices vary greatly by season; I saw a rate as low as $102 CAD for late December 2022. I was also charged 4 euros for the municipal tax for the night paid in cash.

This stay also made me eligible for the ongoing Marriott Bonvoy points promotion and thus, earn up to 4,000 points per Marriott Bonvoy stay for the remainder of my trip.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to be a Marriott Bonvoy American Express* Cardholder (and/or Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express* Cardholder).

In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a certificate for one free hotel night (35,000 point value) and 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

The AC Hotel Milan Sesto is located in the municipality of Sesto San Giovanni, which is an industrial area of Milan outside the tourist area of Milan.

Located 14 km from Linate Airport (LIN) and 53 km from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP), the hotel is conveniently located near a metro station on line 1; it should take you only 20-25 minutes to get to the tourist center, or rather, the famous Duomo di Milano.

The reception of the AC Hotel Milan Sesto is located directly in front of the entrance. The staff was very courteous; I arrived before check-in time and upon verification was given access to my room ahead of schedule.

I was informed of the price of breakfast which was 18 euros; it was not included in my reservation paid by my annual night certificate, but was included in my reservation for the second night.

The first floor is quite large and well laid out. There is a lounge area with couches and raised tables, ideal for resting or working. The hotel also has a bar and restaurant that I did not personally visit; I only ate breakfast there.

The minimalist and chic decoration is true to the AC brand hotels. Another characteristic, subtle but pleasant, is the light perfume that can be detected in the hotel, the corridors and in the room.

I booked the Deluxe room with a king bed, and since my Marriott Bonvoy member profile indicates that my room preference is on a higher floor, I was assigned a room on the 10th floor.

I was surprised to see how spacious the room was, since this is really not always the case in Europe. The decor is true to the AC brand hotels; contemporary, minimalist and with earthy colors. A simple, uncluttered and soothing style.

I liked the office space, which was necessary for my work days. By the way, my Gold Marriott Bonvoy status allowed me to connect to the high-speed version of the hotel’s Wi-Fi for free.

The bathroom was spacious and equipped with a rain shower, bidet and Korres brand hygiene products.

In addition to being restful, the room was very well equipped: iron and ironing board, safety deposit box, wardrobe, mini-fridge and a kettle with instant tea and coffee.

The breakfast buffet was included for my second night paid with cash, but not for the first night paid with my annual certificate. From memory, the price of breakfast was about 18 euros, which can be expensive for a single meal, but this was not necessarily surprising considering the price range in which this AC hotel is located.

The breakfast was very complete with a hot and cold buffet, a variety of pastries, cold cuts and cheeses in addition to a cereal bar and a good selection of fruits and juices. I also noticed that there were gluten-free bread options and several kinds of milk (also plant-based).

While the breakfast is very full and satisfying, I personally would not have paid 18 euros for it; I probably would have picked up some food at the nearby grocery store or on my way before visiting Milan. That said, it is a personal choice that can vary from one person to another.

The hotel offers a fitness room accessible on the mezzanine level. I enjoyed being able to use it since I travel often for several months and it can be difficult to maintain a workout routine. The gym offered all the basic equipment needed to work out. I also liked the fact that there was a bathroom, towels and a water dispenser.

Only one machine was out of order but it was not a problem for me. With a floor mat, treadmill and some free weights, it’s easy to get a full body workout and I’m glad I took the time to do it. The room is not very big but I was alone from beginning to end.

Since I was in telecommuting mode during my stay at the AC Hotel Milan Sesto, I didn’t visit the area much. However, I easily found a few nearby restaurants to eat at an affordable price, as well as a nearby grocery store where I could stock up on snacks.

I also appreciated the proximity of the metro for my travels. From my short time there, I found the neighborhood to be quiet and safe. That said, there is no particular tourist attraction in the area.

My stay at the AC Hotel Milan Sesto was very pleasant. It’s mostly for a business clientele, which suited me very well since I was working remotely myself. The room was spacious and very comfortable.

Although it is outside the tourist area of Milan, the proximity to public transportation means that you don’t lose too much time traveling to visit the city. The hotel is chic and modern, the staff is courteous and the place is very clean. If you are visiting Milan and don’t necessarily want to stay in the tourist area, this is an excellent accommodation option.