Aethos Milan is a solid 4-star hotel... but a couple of things made it fall short of a true 5-star status in my view. These might be small things, but having a high standard for 5-star status (and the elevated prices that they carry accordingly) is something an hotel with this designation in an international city surely expects its customer to have.
The Good: Room was large and very cool -- high ceilings, great bathroom, ample room for bags and work desk space, large windows. Location is great -- easy walking to 2-3 hip neighborhoods, on a main street for easy arrival and departure logistics, near several neighborhoods for great nightlife away from touristy central plazas. Restaurant and Bar on-site are *very* cool -- the Doping Bar in particular is a place I would gladly take friends or spend a cocktails night out in the future, even if I weren't staying there. Service Staff is excellent -- friendly, helpful, multi-lingual.
The Less Good (i.e. reasons I give it 4-stars instead of 5): Relatively loud -- rooms have somewhat poor sound insulation between them, and the street noise from sirens and motorbikes is pretty prominent at night. Light sleepers would have a hard time some nights. Security -- the property is pretty much wide open, day and night, since guest rooms can easily be accessed via passageways and stairs that are open all of the time via the restaurant and bar areas. Our room door lock was weak and I was able to push the door open once accidentally.
Parking