It’s a rare excitement to find a centrally located, truly green hotel in a city of over one million people, making Starhotels E.c.h.o Milan’s cutting-edge sustainable design that much more special. A two-minute walk from the Stazione Centrale, this urban hotel brings the outdoors in, quieting the city noise with its innovative insulated walls and warm neutral aesthetic. While it is by no means the most extravagant of the Starhotels line-up, it is unmistakable in providing 4-star comfort away from the city’s energy through its light-filled, plush interiors and “green room” concept.
Plus, we’re heartened by the hotel’s intentionality to welcome all guests as members of the SHe Travel Club, an international certification program ensuring hotels meet women’s travel needs in safety, comfort, services & amenities, and dining & entertainment, and the Preferred Pride program thoughtfully catering to the unique needs and preferences of LGBTQI+ travelers.
Our Editorial Director, Sarah Ludwig, had the pleasure to stay while passing through Milan, delving into the sustainability practices that have caught the attention of the hotel industry and travelers alike.
Read on to find out more about the hotel’s leadership in sustainable urban design, and what travelers can expect from the hotel’s accommodation, amenities, and dining.
Hotel Design
Starhotels E.c.ho. Milan — Ecological contemporary hotel — was born out of the responsible conversion and renovation of an older hotel located on this site, the Starhotels Splendido. This conversion project saved raw materials, springboarding its status as a leader in driving forward urban green practices.
At the forefront of the hotel design and materials is an impressive green concept, with cutting-edge environmentally friendly building materials and technology. In the natural light-saturated lobby and common areas, guests experience the work of interior designer Andrea Auletta, who meticulously researched and implemented products like cedar blocks from sustainable forests, recycled parquet-style porcelain stoneware, and Eco-Solution Q carpeting.
The natural theme continues through organically produced artworks, including pieces by Tuscan artist Emy Petrini.
The rhythm of nature continues through calming green, brown, and neutral colors, which bring the outdoors into this city hotel. Large windows throughout the property let in an abundance of light, and unmistakable organic touches like the Nordic Ecolabel flower wallpaper elevate the aesthetic.
It is easy to feel relaxed and at ease while inside, an almost primitive association that is often lost in the modern world. This is truer still in the tranquil indoor garden, where recycled and biodegradable PVC panels project images of trees and greenery into the lobby.
Sustainability at Starhotels E.c.h.o Milan
Starhotels E.c.ho. Milan is a member of Beyond Green, which has stringent guidelines and accepts only the most sustainable hotels into its portfolio. To achieve this status, many steps have been taken since the hotel opened its doors in 2011.
To achieve Beyond Green membership, integrated practices include pioneering air-conditioning and lighting technology, which is controlled by the detection of guest presence. This ensures lighting and air-conditioning turn off when a guest leaves the room, saving energy.
Grey water is recovered and reused, hot water is produced by off-site cooling plant heat recovery, and energy-efficient and renewable appliances are in use throughout the property, including boilers, light bulbs and solar panels.
All of these practices have helped the hotel to cut its gas use by 25%, electricity by 15%, and water by 20%, saving around 130 tons of CO2 per annum.
The Rooms & Amenities
While the hotel comprises 143 rooms and suites, it still has the feel of a smaller, refined boutique property. Everything you might expect in a stylish eco room is present: pleasing design, warm tones, modern rustic materials, and plenty of natural light.
Perhaps the most innovative concept is the hotel’s “Green Room”, a series of environmentally friendly attributes located within each room itself. To meet these standards, rooms are equipped with Starbeds and ecological mattresses, and guests can choose from a range of pillow options to suit their needs and preferences. Bed frames are built from recycled materials and sustainably sourced wood. Bed linen is made from natural fibers, organic snacks are on offer in the minibar and recovered shower water is used to flush the toilet.
Technology is also innovatively used to enhance the guest experience and further develop the hotel’s sustainable practices. When checking in, guests can see the sustainability features of their room firsthand from the display signs, and they can even calculate the carbon footprint of their stay at the hotel through an online tool.
The 13 suites of Starhotels E.c.ho. Milan offers the additional luxury one would expect without compromising on the sustainable mission of the hotel. Each is equipped with a balcony, offering sweeping views over the Milan skyline. And in the hotel’s family rooms, children are given extra attention thanks to the “V.I.K. Very Important Kids” service. This delightful inclusion provides younger guests with a welcome kit. For parents with babies and toddlers, meanwhile, an array of amenities can be provided on request, including crib, stroller, changing table and highchairs.
We also encourage guests to check out the gym, if not only for the view. Located on the upper floors, it is encased in glass walls, offering panoramic views of the city and a terrace to catch a breath of fresh air post-workout.
Dining
Offering gastronomic creations strongly rooted in the area’s traditions, with a wealth of vegan, vegetarian, and organic options, the onsite Orto Green Food & Mood restaurant continues the hotel theme of sustainability. For design, it might be easy to miss the backlit wall PVC panels depicting vegetable and fruit gardens, while on the menu itself, head chef Aldo Vrana focuses on fresh Italian flavors, using only seasonal and local produce where possible.
Breakfast is a lovely spread of options, including a beautiful display of multi-colored local eggs (with notes on the type of chicken) and fresh honeycomb. The restaurant prioritizes sourcing its ingredients from local cooperatives and members of Slowfood, which promotes local food and traditional cooking methods.
The Orto Green Food & Mood Bar is strategically located in the hotel lobby and extends onto the veranda. It offers a retreat for a relaxed morning coffee or quiet evening cocktails. The hotel’s natural theme continues here, as it is furnished with stone, wood, and other carefully sourced materials.
Check out the Starhotels E.c.ho. Milan for yourself:
Website: www.starhotels.com
Address: Viale Andrea Doria, 4, 20124 Milano MI, Italy
Phone: +39 02 67891
Email: echo.mi@starhotels.it
Instagram: @starhotelsecho
