Tara Verde

Peace, comfort and vivid colour therapy at this bohemian 3-bedroom B&B in a quiet, residential area of Milan

If you're looking for a calm refuge between trade fairs or sightseeing jaunts, but fancy an eclectic place to stay, Tara Verde is the place for you. Owner Roberta, who has a flat on the ground floor, loves interior design and couldn't have chosen a richer or more vibrant palette for her home. Walls are rag-rolled in lime greens and lemons, sky blues and purples, raspberry and sunflower. Doors, window ledges and radiators are brushed with gold and silver, and luggage racks, chairs and even the stairs have been given a vivid coat.

On the ground floor there's a comfortable sitting room (all rich reds and yellows and moody lighting), which is where your breakfast buffet is served - and where you can spend time leafing through fat coffee-table art and design books, or chatting to other guests. On the staircase wall, a sunshine-circled mural of the namesake Tibetan deity, Tara, sets a meditative, Eastern mood. This is echoed in the little paved courtyard outside, which is brightened with red metal tables.

Highs

• We loved the peaceful bedrooms, with their rainbow of vibrant colours and artistic features
• It's great value for money, in an expensive city
• There are good restaurants within walking distance, from typical trattorie to top-end Asian fusion
• We appreciated the minibar stocked with complimentary beer and Coke, and the free WiFi
• In good weather, it's lovely having breakfast in the wisteria-scented courtyard

Lows

• No roof terrace or suntrap lounging space, and Green is the only bedroom with a little balcony
• It's not right in the centre, but Milan's highlights (the Duomo, Navigli canals, art galleries and fashion emporiums) are quickly reached via tram or metro (20 mins)
• The studiedly bohemian vibe might not be for everyone
• You need to give 48hrs advance warning of your arrival time as Roberta's not always around
• The immediate neighbourhood lacks interest and colour