Milan, With an Edge: Hotel Calimala’s Bold New Chapter in Porta Venezia

In Milan, style isn’t a statement — it’s a state of mind. And at the newly opened Hotel Calimala Milan, that mindset is designed into every detail. Forget the sterile minimalism of predictable luxury. Here, elegance has texture, colour, and a pulse.

Born from the visionary hand of architect Alex Meitlis, Calimala’s Milan outpost isn’t just another boutique hotel — it’s a love letter to the city’s contradictions. Housed in a former 1960s wallpaper showroom, the property merges Milanese artisan heritage with a cosmopolitan sharpness. Terrazzo floors sliced from black marble, glossy walnut wood, stained glass reflections — everything is custom-made, curated, and unapologetically sensual.

Located in the Porta Venezia district — a neighbourhood where old-school elegance brushes up against queer culture, indie galleries, and hidden cocktail bars — the hotel is perfectly poised for the modern flâneur. You’ll start your day with a ristretto at the ground-floor Espresso Bar, where locals drift in for an aperitivo, and end it poolside on the rooftop, drink in hand, watching Milan’s skyline melt into dusk.

Rooms? They’re less “Instagram set” and more art installations you can sleep in. With a palette that dares to play (clay pinks, citrus bursts, minty blues), and photographs by Dafna Arnon framed as design elements, each of the 88 rooms feels like a private gallery. Suites are stocked with full-sized bars, because in Milan, pre-dinner drinks are not a suggestion — they’re a ritual.

Speaking of rituals, the culinary heart of the hotel, FIVE, opening in spring 2026, is set to redefine the city’s dining scene. Expect Mediterranean flavours elevated with urban edge — think crudo and pasta designed for sharing, with a vibe that’s more lively Milanese soirée than stiff fine dining.

And yet, amidst all the design flair and curated experiences, there’s an underlying ease. Calimala doesn’t try to impress; it seduces. The service is attentive without hovering, the luxury is crafted but never cold. It’s a place for those who move through the world with intention, who appreciate design but crave authenticity over polish.

For the GUS man — or woman — who seeks more than just a “design hotel,” Hotel Calimala Milan offers an experience layered with flavour, texture, and a genuine sense of place. It’s an urban escape that feels both exclusive and effortlessly connected to the city’s heartbeat.

Milan has never been for the timid. Neither is Calimala.

Hotel Calimala Milan
Via Melzo 7, Porta Venezia
www.calimalamilano.com
Instagram: @hotel_calimala_milano