Hotel Calimala
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Hotel Details
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Hotel Calimala · Florence, Italy
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Expert Review: Hotel Calimala
Hotel Calimala, a Michelin Key Selected property in Florence, Italy, consistently garners high praise for its exceptional blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century palazzo, the hotel offers a sophisticated and memorable experience in the heart of the city.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for Hotel Calimala is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "wonderful" and "magnificent". It boasts high review scores, including a 9.4 out of 10 overall rating, with particularly strong marks for location (9.9), staff (9.7), comfort (9.6), and cleanliness (9.5). Guests often highlight it as an outstanding choice, with some even preferring it over 5-star hotels in other cities.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud Hotel Calimala for its unbeatable central location, the remarkable friendliness and helpfulness of its staff, and its stunning design. The hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar, Angel Roofbar & Dining, is a significant draw, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Florence. The hotel's carefully curated aesthetic, blending original architectural features with modern touches, is also a frequently mentioned highlight. Additional amenities include a fitness center, free WiFi, and concierge services.
3. Room Quality
The rooms at Hotel Calimala are described as clean, comfortable, and beautifully designed. They feature modern interiors with a classical foundation, incorporating intricate details and a mix of velvet, brass, and marble textures. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds (including sofa beds), soundproof windows, and large, modern bathrooms with rainfall showers and full-sized lavish toiletries. Many rooms offer high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and unique artwork, with some even boasting multiple exposures for extra light and city views or balconies. Amenities include air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars, espresso makers, and complimentary bottled water.
4. Dining Experience
Hotel Calimala offers diverse and high-quality dining options. The Angel Roofbar & Dining, located on the rooftop, serves Southern-Mediterranean, Italian, Middle Eastern, and international cuisines, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Breakfast is a highly-rated buffet, available in either the rooftop dining room with panoramic views or at Meze. The buffet includes a generous spread of hot and cold dishes, such as fresh fruit, pastries, cakes, eggs, cold cuts, and cheeses. The hotel also features Mezè Wild Dining, a bistrot and tapas bar that offers a culinary fusion of Mediterranean and Tuscan flavors with an international flair.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Hotel Calimala consistently receives glowing reviews. Guests frequently praise the staff for being friendly, kind, helpful, courteous, hospitable, knowledgeable, and professional. The concierge services are particularly noted for their excellence in assisting with recommendations and reservations.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is considered a major asset, scoring 9.9 for location in guest reviews. Situated in Florence's historic Centro Storico neighborhood, it is exceptionally central and within easy walking distance of major attractions. Key landmarks such as the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery are just a few minutes' walk away. The hotel is also conveniently located near public transport options, including train stations and tram stops, providing access to other parts of Florence and beyond. The property offers good accessibility with elevators and wheelchair-accessible paths and facilities.
7. Value & Pricing
While offering a luxurious experience, Hotel Calimala is often seen as providing good value, especially considering its prime location and amenities. The average price for a room is around $457, which is higher than the average hotel room price in Florence ($289). However, prices can vary significantly depending on the room type and time of year, with some rates found as low as $151.49. The low season (December) can see prices drop by an average of 45%, while August is typically the most expensive month.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted. A few guests have experienced issues with room temperature, finding rooms too hot, and noting that the thermostat might not be fully functional due to central temperature regulation. Due to the central location, opening windows at night can lead to street noise. One review mentioned a slight sewer smell from the lift shaft, although this was not universally experienced. Additionally, the rooftop plunge pool, while an amenity, has been described as being small, "roughly the size of a hot tub," and potentially a bit claustrophobic.
Sources
Google Reviews
918 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Moperf
The hotel was a great choice overall. The location is excellent, right in the center of Florence and close to everything, yet quiet and easy to reach. The staff were very kind, welcoming, and helpful throughout the stay. The room was calm, the bed comfortable, and we slept really well every night. A comfortable and pleasant stay in a perfect location. I would definitely stay here again.
Response from the owner
Dear Ms. Alharabi,<br><br>Thank you so much for your kind review. We appreciate your feedback!<br><br>Kind Regards,<br><br>Stefano M.<br>Front-Desk Manager
Jamie Chalmers
Wow Wow Wow. I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels in my life, but this place knocks them all out the park, I almost wish this was a hotel chain because I would stay here every single time in any other city in the world. My wife and I booked an executive suite and let me tell you, the pictures do not do this place justice. Upon first walk in you’re greeted by very friendly staff and a signature aroma u...
Response from the owner
Dear Guest,<br>Thank you for such an incredible and heartfelt review. Reading your words truly means the world to us. We are beyond delighted that every detail from the design and atmosphere to the se...
Maura Greaney
Wonderful people. Nice quiet rooms. Beautifully presented. The restaurant was also lovely. The salad and mezze were perfect. I can’t overstate my gratitude for the kindness of the young woman working the front desk when I arrived so jet lagged. Thank you all for your hard work and good cheer. Wonderful place.
Response from the owner
Dear Ms.Greaney,<br>thank you for your review,<br>We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Hotel Calimala and we sincerely hope that you will decide to visit us once more in the future,<br...
Marcie Walker
We only stayed here for one night but I wish it had been longer! The rooms were so gorgeous and comfortable, and the staff could not have been more welcoming. I would highly recommend a trip to the hotel bar too. Excellent craft cocktails and snacks and a fantastic, friendly bartender!
Response from the owner
Dear Marcie,<br><br>Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the rooms, our welcoming team, and the hotel bar’s cocktails and service. We hope to welcome you back soon for a long...
Magali Plascencia
Amazing hotel! We were here on our honeymoon and the service was phenomenal. Our room got upgraded when we checked in (maybe they saw that we were on our honeymoon because we bought the package that included wine & chocolates?) so we got a larger room. I didn't realize the hotel was two buildings. We were in the West building. Our room had 2 bottles of wine, a big bouquet of flowers, and a box of ...
Response from the owner
Dearest Magali,<br>thank you so much for your review,<br>It really brightens our day to hear that you enjoyed your experience at Hotel Calimala so much and that you took the time to write such a charm...
Omer Gammer
I stayed at Hotel Calimala for 5 nights, and it was genuinely the best hotel experience I’ve ever had. The rooms are beautiful and the bed is truly high-end — I slept deeply every night. Breakfast is a solid 10/10, and the coffee is a piece of art on its own. But what really makes this place special is the service. The staff and the personal attention they give are simply exceptional. I honestly...
Response from the owner
Dear Omer,<br>thank you for your review,<br>We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Hotel Calimala so much and that you spoke about it so well in your insight,<br>We appreciate your care in ...
Marriott
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