Hotel Calimala
Alex Meitlis Design brought Florence’s artistic heritage and merged it with contemporary design in each of the rooms of Hotel Calimala in Florence, Italy.
Hotel Calimala, the second Italian property of Milu Hotel Group, is a 38-room hotel in Florence’s bustling Centro Storico neighborhood that is set to open on September 1, 2019. Housed in a landmark 19th-century Eclectic architecturestyle building, the property has been completely restored by architect Alex Meitlis (Ottolenghi restaurants and Tel Aviv’s Quattro & Messa).
In addition to its boutique accommodations, Hotel Calimala houses ANGEL, a magnificent three-story floral garden rooftop restaurant, with indoor and outdoor bars and an al fresco lounge, which is pegged to become the newest food & beverage destination for both internationals and in-the-know Florentines. Calimala Hotel sits at Via Calimala 2, occupying an entire block between Via dei Lamberti and Via Porta Rossa in the historical Palazzo degli Angeli. Each of its 38 rooms is flooded with natural light and provides stunning urban views of the charming & historic Centro Storico neighborhood.
Hotel Calimala’s team of designers, architects and preservationists, led by Alex Meitlis, worked diligently to unearth and highlight the natural beauty of the building’s historic foundations. From the etched “sgraffito” motifs of its exterior facade, a unique artistic style distinct to Florence, to the distressed stone walls and original brass accents, Hotel Calimala has been meticulously restored according to the highest standards of architectural preservation.
Each room is a celebration of aged beauty, highlighting the original building proportions, heightened ceilings and distressed stone walls, alongside modern furnishings and amenities. The bathroom design pays homage to the famed Battistero di San Giovanni with tri-colored terrazzo flooring. Architect and Designer Alex Meitlis custom-designed all the furnishings from the tables, to beds, lounge chairs, headboards and lighting fixtures, while Ivo Bisignano’s branding style and signature statement pieces can be felt at every touchpoint. Velvet, brass and marble elements flow throughout the room design with furnishings upholstered in Kvadrat textiles and original oak window shutters.
The true spirit of Hotel Calimala emerges at ANGEL Florence’s newest dining, drinking and experiential rooftop destination occupying the fifth, sixth & seventh floors. Separate indoor and outdoor atmospheres frame a rooftop patio and floral garden, while the top floor offers breathtaking views of the city’s iconic landmarks. ANGEL can accommodate up to 150 guests and boasts a seating lounge and an outdoor plunge pool in the patio for summer days under the Tuscan sun.
Design: Alex Meitlis Design
Design Team: Elad Cohen
Photography: Shai Epstein
