Hotel Calimala Florence

Best for / Tips to get it right

Why this one

Hotel Calimala holds a 4.8 out of 5 across 1,049 Google reviews, and the 52 we read for this piece keep circling the same two things. The staff come up in 29 of those 52 reviews (56%), often by name and often with a story attached: restaurant bookings, tips for the city, a wedding anniversary remembered. The location appears in 28 (54%), with guests describing walks to the Duomo and the Uffizi and rooms that stay quiet once the door closes. The rooftop is the third pillar. The restaurant and terrace get mentioned in 17 reviews (33%). One guest writes about lunch and dinner on the terrace with music in the background, another about the view of the Duomo from up there. Cleanliness shows up in 8 reviews (15%) with phrases like refined and comfortable, and the rooftop pool area in another 8. Breakfast gets 7 mentions (13%), described as an excellent international spread. This is a hotel for people who want to be in the middle of Florence and still have somewhere calm to come back to. The building is fully renovated with an old-school feel, brick walls in the rooms, and a design that reads modern without feeling cold. It is not the cheapest way to sleep in the centre, but it is one of the most consistent.

What guests keep saying

The staff is the most repeated theme, with 29 of 52 reviews (56%) praising the team. Guests name specific people for restaurant recommendations, help with luggage, and a personal touch on special occasions. The location follows closely: 28 reviews (54%) call it perfect, central, and within walking distance of everything. One guest sums it up as being able to stop in multiple times a day to drop off shopping. The rooftop restaurant and bar appear in 17 reviews (33%). Guests describe the views of the city and the Duomo, lunch and dinner on the terrace, and a bar that is worth the visit on its own. Cleanliness and comfort come up in 8 reviews (15%), with words like refined, clean and top-notch beds. The rooftop pool and terrace get another 8 mentions (15%). Breakfast, mentioned in 7 reviews (13%), is called excellent and international, with one guest calling it high quality. A few reviews mention the gym could use a stationary bike and the rooms could use robes, but these are small notes next to the volume of praise.

• staffpraised 29 / 56%

  “Staff was professional and very helpful.”

• locationpraised 28 / 54%

  “Couldn’t ask for a better location.”

• the restaurantpraised 17 / 33%

  “The hotel’s rooftop bar has stunning views of the city.”

• cleanlinesspraised 8 / 15%

  “Refined, clean, and comfortable rooms.”

• pool and rooftoppraised 8 / 15%

  “A wonderful hotel with a rooftop view of the Duomo.”

• breakfastpraised 7 / 13%

  “Excellent international breakfast.”

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The bit the hotel does not tell you

The hotel has two buildings. The west building is the one guests describe as newer and quieter, with rooms that have Chromecast on the TVs. If you want the rooftop bar without the wait, book a table when you check in rather than walking up. And if you are driving, the valet takes the car on arrival and you will not need it again until you leave.

Who we pictured staying here