Location
This hotel is located in one of the best locations in Florence, the cultural heart of Tuscany. A short walk from Piazza della Repubblica, the Uffizi Galleries, and Ponte Vecchio, this gem of a hotel is close to everything you want to see and do during your stay in Florence. If you have been to Florence and remember the famous leather market near the bronzed wild boar on Via Calimala, then you have found the stunning building housing the Calimala hotel.
Tip: The hotel is named after the street it is on (Via Calimala), so finding it is quite easy. Grab a gelato at Venchi next door and do some luxury shopping at Rinascente, a luxury department store in the center of Florence. My favorite place for people-watching is Caffe Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica. This is the oldest cafe in Florence and it has excellent coffee, cocktails, and snacks. If you are in Florence during the colder months, make sure to try a hot chocolate at Gilli.
This little pocket of streets between Via Calimala and Via dei Lamberti is one of the oldest parts of Florence, built over the site of the ancient Roman forum. Just around the corner is the Mercato Nuovo, the loggia housing the famous bronze wild boar (Il Porcellino) that gives the neighborhood its everyday nickname. It's an easy, flat walk from here to the Duomo, the Bargello, and the river, which makes this one of the most efficient home bases in the city for a first-time visitor who wants to cover a lot of ground on foot.
Rooms
I have had the pleasure of staying in both the East and West wings of the Calimala and enjoyed them both. The West wing is the newest addition with larger rooms. The East wing houses the Angel rooftop bar with the most stunning views of Palazzo Vecchio, a skyline that also frames the Boboli Gardens rising behind the Pitti Palace.
Rooms can accommodate solo travelers as well as families with diverse room layouts in their suites. For a broader look at how hotels compare with villas and B&Bs, see our Italy accommodation types guide. The design is a fusion of ancient and modern, bringing Italian design to the forefront of this hotel. The bathrooms are covered in stunning tiles and the attention to detail, from the fixtures to the aromatic tuberose-scented toiletries, make this a luxury stay.
Tip: When booking a room, request one with a tub. These rooms tend to be larger and the stand-alone tubs are big enough for two.
Amenities
This hotel has a 24-hour front desk and concierge services. Each wing has its own small gym and in-room spa treatments are available for booking. Calimala East has its breakfast room on the top floor and Calimala West has its breakfast room adjacent to the lobby and bar. You can choose to have breakfast in either location and it is served buffet style. A fun feature is the croissant bar where you can fill your pastry with cream, Nutella, pistachio, or marmalade.
Tip: In the warmer months, try to grab an early breakfast on the rooftop. The early morning hot air balloons fly right over the hotel and it is quite an amazing sight.
Dining
This hotel boasts two restaurants. Angel is located on their terraced rooftop and even in winter the hotel provides heaters so visitors can enjoy the spectacular views all year round. A reservation is recommended as this is a popular rooftop bar available to non-hotel guests as well. Angel also serves delicious food combining Italian and Middle Eastern flavors.
Meze Wild Dining is their newest culinary addition providing tapas-style dining. Both restaurants are solid choices for non-traditional fare in the center of Florence, though for a taste of the region's classic dish, do not leave without trying bistecca alla Fiorentina at least once.
The hotel has continued to build out its food and drink offerings, adding a ground-floor aperitivo lounge in the East wing lobby for guests who want a low-key drink before heading out for dinner rather than making the trip up to the rooftop.
Practical Logistics
Angel's rooftop is open to the public as well as hotel guests, and it is genuinely one of the better-known rooftop bars in Florence, so reserving ahead matters even if you're only stopping in for a cocktail. It typically operates every evening for aperitivo and dinner, with lunch service added on select days during the warmer months, though hours shift with the season, so confirm before you plan your visit around it. Because both wings sit on a pedestrianized shopping street, there is no vehicle access directly to the door; you'll want a porter or to plan on wheeling your own luggage the last stretch from wherever your taxi or transfer can pull up.
Who This Hotel Suits
The Calimala works well for travelers who want a design-forward stay without sacrificing an ounce of location. Couples will love the East wing's rooftop views and romantic dinner setting, while families or groups needing more space should ask about the West wing's larger room configurations. Because the hotel sits directly in Florence's pedestrian shopping district, it especially suits first-timers who plan to explore the historic center almost entirely on foot, with day trips into Tuscany's wine country as a natural add-on.
Seasonal Guidance
Florence in high summer can be intensely hot, and the historic center's stone streets amplify the heat during the day, though the rooftop comes into its own on warm evenings once the sun drops. Spring and early autumn tend to offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, and are also prime viewing windows for the hot air balloons that occasionally drift over the rooftops during the early morning hours. Winter brings a much quieter, more affordable version of the same hotel, with heaters keeping the rooftop usable even in the cooler months.
Pairing Your Stay
If your itinerary includes both Florence and Rome, this hotel pairs naturally with Umilta 36, a similarly boutique, design-led property near the Trevi Fountain. And no stay in Florence is complete without a proper Tuscan steak dinner; if Panzano is on your route, our guide to bistecca alla Fiorentina covers where to find the best of it.
The Verdict
In my opinion, this is a 5-star hotel masking itself as a 4-star, and it pairs beautifully with a stay at Umilta 36 in Rome if your trip covers both cities. The attentive staff and luxury accommodations justify the high season rates. However, if you travel during the off-season, rates are much lower and more than fair for the quality and level of service this hotel provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Calimala located in Florence?
The Calimala is on Via Calimala in the heart of Florence, just steps from Piazza della Repubblica, the Uffizi Galleries, and Ponte Vecchio. It is in the historic leather market area near the famous bronze wild boar statue.
Does The Calimala have a rooftop bar?
Yes, the Angel rooftop bar on the East wing offers stunning views of Palazzo Vecchio and the Florence skyline. It is open to both hotel guests and the public, so reservations are recommended.
Is The Calimala good for families?
Yes, the hotel offers diverse room layouts including suites that can accommodate families. Both the East and West wings have rooms of varying sizes to suit different needs.
What is the best time to visit The Calimala?
Off-season rates are much more affordable while still offering the same quality and service. If you visit in warmer months, request early breakfast on the rooftop to watch hot air balloons fly over the city.
References
- The Calimala hotel official property information and room descriptions.
- Florence hotel location and neighborhood guide for Via Calimala area.
