Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Kolkata

 

Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Kolkata

1. ITC Royal Bengal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kolkata

On a sprawling landscaped property, this posh hotel is a 15-minute drive from the city centre, 4 km from Park Circus train station and 6 km from the iconic Birla Mandir temple.
Featuring sitting areas with sofas, the polished, airy rooms offer Internet access, flat-screen TVs and safes, as well as minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Lavish suites add separate living rooms. In-room dining is available.
Breakfast is included. There are 6 refined restaurants serving local and international cuisine, plus a cafe and a lounge. Other amenities include 3 rooftop pools, a hot tub and a kids’ pool, in addition to a spa, a salon and a gym.

2. The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata

Housed in a palatial villa dating from the 1880’s, this elegant hotel is an 11-minute walk from the Hooghly River and 3 km from the Victoria Memorial.
Featuring colonial-style prints and wood furniture, the posh rooms offer flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. Upgraded rooms add balconies. The suites include living areas, and some have 4-poster beds, writing desks and garden views. Room service is available.
Breakfast and parking are free. There’s a chic French-style bistro, a Thai restaurant and a casual bar, as well as a spa, a fitness centre and an outdoor pool fringed by palm trees.

3. The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata

Built in 1841, this high-end hotel with a posh, modern interior is set a 6-minute walk from a metro stop and 3 km from the marble Victoria Memorial.
Contemporary, elegant rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffeemaking facilities, and terraces with pool or garden views. Upgraded rooms add increased floor space and sitting areas; some have details such as bay windows and marble floors. Suites include living rooms. Room service is available.
Parking and breakfast are free. There are 5 restaurants, including a tea room and a classic pub. There's also an outdoor pool, and an extensive spa with a fitness room, a gym and a salon.

4. The Park Hotel Kolkata

On a street lined with restaurants, shops and bars, this polished hotel is a 3-minute walk from both The Maiden park and a metro station. It's 18 km from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
Refined rooms feature sitting areas, complimentary Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus minibars, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add rainfall showers and/or marble floors. Suites have whirlpool tubs, living rooms and 24-hour butler service, plus free airport transfers and breakfast.
Amenities include 8 restaurants and bars (1 open 24/7 and another featuring live music), a spa and a gym. There's also an outdoor pool.

5. The Peerless Inn Kolkata

A 3-minute walk from a metro station, this polished hotel in the city center is 1 km from the cricket matches at Eden Gardens and 3 km from the Victoria Memorial museum.
Refined rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi, chocolates and fruit baskets. All have TVs, minifridges, desks, and tea and coffeemaking equipment.
Freebies include parking, a breakfast buffet, and welcome drinks and cookies. There are 3 airy, warmly decorated restaurants, in addition to a trendy bar, and a tea and pastry lounge. There's also a fitness room.

6. Novotel Kolkata - Hotel & Residences

In Kolkata’s New Town IT and business district, this upmarket hotel is opposite the Axis Mall, a 2-minute walk from a metro station and 2 km from the Rabindra Tirtha cultural centre.
Polished rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Suites and apartments add living/dining areas and kitchenettes, as well as access to a lounge with complimentary breakfast. Room service is available 24/7. Kids 15 and under stay free.
There's a 24-hour international restaurant, a chic Asian eatery and a French-style cafe, plus 2 bars (1 poolside). Other amenities include an outdoor cascading pool, a spa and a 24/7 gym.

7. JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata

In a sleek high-rise, this contemporary hotel is 4 km from Sealdah Railway Station and 7 km from the domed Victoria Memorial.
Featuring marble bathrooms, the polished, modern rooms come with Wi-Fi (fee), flat-screens and iPod docks, as well as tea and coffeemaking facilities, and minibars. Suites provide living rooms and/or panoramic city views. Club level quarters offer access to a private lounge. Room service is available 24/7.
Valet parking is complimentary. Other amenities include a snazzy bar, 2 restaurants and a nightclub. There's also a gym, a spa, and an infinity pool with a kids' section and a bar. A breakfast buffet is an extra cost.

8. The Pride Hotel

In a commercial park on the outskirts of Kolkata, and a 3-minute walk from a metro station, this informal business hotel, with an industrial-chic design, is 4 km from the New Town Eco Park.
The airy, refined rooms and suites come with high speed Internet access, flat-screen TVs and electronic safes, as well as minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Room service is offered 24/7.
Freebies include breakfast and parking. There's a lounge bar, and a bright, 24-hour coffee shop serving buffet meals and snacks. There's also an outdoor pool, a spa and an exercise room, as well as a business centre, meeting rooms & conference facilities.

9. Vivanta Kolkata

Off a major thoroughfare, this upscale, contemporary hotel is within 5 km from both Ballygunge Junction railway station and Science City, a sprawling science and technology complex with a convention centre.
Modern rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screens, minibars and laptop-sized safes. Upgraded rooms add city views, while suites have separate living areas, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Room service is available 24/7.
Amenities include a stylish bar, a pastry shop, and an airy restaurant serving international fare. There's also an exercise room, and a rooftop pool overlooking the city. Breakfast (fee) and parking are available..

10. Taj Bengal, Kolkata

This upmarket hotel in downtown area is a 3-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, and half a kilometer from the Alipore Zoological Gardens, India's oldest zoo.

Luxe rooms offer free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffeemaking facilities, as well as minibars, safes and yoga mats. Upgraded rooms add butler service, and access to a lounge with complimentary breakfast and drinks. Suites add separate living areas, and upgraded suites include terraces and original artwork.
Breakfast and parking are provided at no extra cost. Dining options include Mediterranean, Indian and Chinese eateries. There's also a bar, a spa and an outdoor pool.

Top 10 Horror Places in Kolkata

Top 10 Horror Places in Kolkata

 

1. National Library

The National Library was the former residence of the Governor General during the British era and it is a treasure trove of artifacts, and a wide collection of books and publications. It was known that Lady Metcalf, the wife of Governor General Charles Metcalf was a cleanliness freak and it is said that one can still see her roaming in between shelves, dusting the old books and shelves. In fact, it said that the night guards and the students who study till late have heard footsteps of the Lady Metcalf and have seen grey shadows on the wall. It is also said that in 2010, a door less room was discovered on the ground floor and that it was secret chamber from the British times. The library, already quiet, is one of the spookiest places in the city.

2. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club

What is now known as the Race Course, is said to be a very haunted place, with incidents revolving around “Willam Saheb ka Sada Ghora”. It is said that a white horse named Pride, belonging to an Englishman, George Williams had died on the tracks here. Williams was obsessed about racing and also about his horse but eventually Pride became old and weak. One year, he lost a derby and the next day he was found dead on the tracks. It is said that on moonlit Saturday nights, Pride can still be seen racing across the tracks. Many commuters going by the Race Course had often reported that they had seen a white horse galloping and the sudden vision is sure to freak anyone out. The late night guards have now grown used to it.

3. Bhoot Bangla or Hastings’ College

Hastings’ College is now an underground women’s college under the Calcutta University but formerly, it was known as the Belvedere Estate, the residence of the former Governor General William Hastings. It is said that staff and well as the girls in the hostel often see an Englishman entering the premises and galloping in the huge grounds of the college and that it is none other than Hastings Saheb himself! On the other hand, a few years ago a young boy had died an unnatural death while playing football on the same grounds and it is said that at times this boy can be seen running around. There are many other incidents revolving this huge building and the open, silent ground around it and it happens to be one of the most haunted places of Calcutta.

4. Park Street Cemetery

Not only in the city, but this happens to be one of the oldest graveyards in the entire country. Built in 1767, the Park Street Cemetery is the oldest in the city and it houses generations of British families who lived during the British era. The tombs here are like works of art themselves and the place has an eerie beauty to it, with tall vegetation and graves and tombstones which are centuries old. It is said that it is one of the spookiest places in the cities, with shadows often drifting in and out from between the tombs. Eerie sounds can be heard and it is said that photographers who come here to capture the photo of the tombs and for nature photography had also caught strange shadows in their photographs. Some even feel breathless and dizzy. It is really a place to avoid after dark. It is one of the most haunted places in Kolkata.

5. Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station

One of the busiest metro stations in the North- South metro route of Kolkata, Rabindra Sarovar has the highest number of suicide cases. It is said that the souls of those who had committed suicide here still roam the platform at late hours. Peculiar shadows are seen on the pillars and the walls from time to time and when the platform is deserted, shadows can be seen jumping on to the track. It can be quite scary to see such a sight when you are calmly thinking of returning home.

6. Kolkata Dock

The Kolkata dock or the Kidderpur Dock was built was the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. He had come here from Awadh, relinquishing his throne and kingdom in the hopes that the British would give him refuge to London where he would have a comfortable life for the rest of his days. He waited here, commission the ships, but the call never came. Instead, he was dumped by the Government and he spent the rest of his days in Calcutta and built the dock, which is now an important port in the east coast of the country. It is said that the soul of Nawab Saheb still roams the dock area and that his soul would not rest in peace unless he had had his revenge from the British for their betrayal. Many soldiers and sailors who died here, waiting with him, can also be seen here and sailor and officials at the dock working at night often find themselves paralyzed in fear.

7. House of Dolls

House of Dolls, or Putul Bari, is a century old haunted house in North Calcutta, which is almost in ruins. In a region where every inch is precious and a place to stay is highly in demand, the vast upper floors of this huge mansion like residence is empty. The most horrid screams can be heard from the house after dark and no one has had the guts to go upstairs after sunset. The interesting thing is that the lower floor of the houses is still inhabited by tenants who have been residing here for centuries and they have simply gotten used to the screams, although even they do not climb up the stairs. As to the shrieks that can be heard, it is said that a zamindar used this house as his haunt where he brought women from wherever he wanted for his pleasure. The house is so named because of the figures of dolls etched into the arches of the building. Any outsider who has gone into the house once has not ventured a second time.

8. Lower Circular Road Cemetery

The Lower Circular Road Cemetery is not in use anymore but is a memorial of the past. The ghost sighting here is that of Sir William Hay MacNaghte, who was a civil servant under the British. His wife had found his body one day, cut into pieces. His brutal murder had been the talk of the town for many days and he was buried in this cemetery. It is said that the ghost of this Englishman still roams the grounds and whenever the incident is narrated, the tree above the tomb starts shivering. Late night guards have often reported hearing eerie noises from inside the cemetery.

9. Writer’s Building at BBD Bag

The building is the present secretariat of the West Bengal State Government and it was the office of clerks and junior staff during the British era. It is said that people came from far and wide in those days to lodge their complaints and grievances but often returned empty- handed due to the hard- heartedness of the British officials. There are many vacant and unutilized rooms in the building still and strange and eerie noises come from here. Night guards and vendors outside the building have often heard cries coming from inside as well. It is surely a place to be avoided after dark.

10. Wipro Office

The Wipro office in the Salt Lake region of Calcutta is a swanky corporate office now but it was allegedly built on a graveyard near the wetlands. It is said that many late night shifters had seen eerie apparitions in the dark on the third floor of Tower 3 and it had been shut off since then. People had also claimed that they had heard noises of things falling when they take a lift to the upper floors or when they have taken the stairs. Security guards have complained of strange noises all through the night.

 

 

10 Best Places For Shopping in Kolkata 

1. New Market Kolkata

One of the oldest shopping areas, dating back to the colonial era, New Market is a shopper's paradise. Amidst the rush of excited shoppers, one can find a range of products, extending from shoes, sarees, exotic flowers and rare cheese. Name it, and you have it all. True to the proverb, all the shops of similar items are clustered in a block, thus making it more orderly. One can choose from over 2000 stalls that are clumped in the region. Located on Lindsay Street, New Market offers everything that is there to ask.

2. Gariahat Market

A major attraction for Shopping in Kolkata, Gariahat Market is spread along a long stretch of road with shops on either side of it selling a huge variety of clothes, jewellery and electronic items. There are a lot of makeshift tents in addition to the big shops, selling items at a lower cost. The sight is breathtaking with all the interesting items hanging out of the stores, or the glittery lights casting a dancing shadow on the long road which they flank. There are also a bunch of restaurants and food stalls so one can sneak in and grab a quick bite between shopping sprees.

3. College Street

A literal haven for bibliophiles, the College Streets has books spilling from the pavements as far as far as your sight goes. The largest book market in India, the College Street is a fantastic place to be. One can get rare volumes of writing and books at almost throwaway prices. The place is also credited with being the world's largest second-hand book market. The place also has a bunch of really old Bengali book publishing houses like Dey's Publications, Ananda Publications and much more. There is also an incredibly old coffee house by the name Indian Coffee House, bubbling with nostalgic feelings. One can grab that much-needed cup of coffee here.

4.  Hatibagan Market

Once famous for the various birds and animals that used to be sold, before a fire burned down the majority, this place for Shopping in Kolkata is still famous for the Star Theatre, a cinema complex that screens movies at really affordable prices. The markets around here offer some of the best silks and cotton in sarees that are there.

5. Burrabazar Market

One of the oldest wholesale markets, Burrabazar is located near the M. G. Road metro. The market is one of the largest and is home to the major rush during festivities. Everything that is plausible can be found in this bustling stretch of the city. The market is divided into four major parts, i.e. Tulapatti, Fancypatti, Dhotipatti and Chinipatti. These parts are hosts to similar kinds of items that are there to sell. The festive season brings massive celebration on the roads with sweets overflowing, puja paraphernalia being sold, people haggling for a range of items including clothes and footwear.

6. South City Mall

Located on Prince Anwar Shah Road in the southern end of the city, the South City Mall is a state of the art mall with a shopping area of about 1,000,000 square feet. Consumers can select from a range of exclusive international and national retail brand outlets that load up the area. There is also a multiplex located in the mall where movie buffs can enjoy their day out.

7. Quest Mall

Another place for Shopping in Kolkata, inaugurated in the year 2013, the Quest Mall has a range of stores to cater the needs of people with food courts, gaming areas, multiplex and what not. The INOX multiplex here has six screens.

 8. City Centre 1 Shopping Mall

Located in Salt Lake, it is a twin mall, one of the many that are spread across the city. The outlets in the City Centre have something for every customer, and so has a widespread footfall. There are also some fabulous boutiques that you would definitely want to try out.

 

9. Mani Square Shopping Mall

The mall is located on the Manicktala main road and has an array of favourite brands like Adidas, United Colors of Benetton, Levis, Lee Cooper and Spencer's. The brand was inaugurated in the year 2008. A multiplex, various food outlets and gaming zones add to the charisma.

 10. Avani Riverside Shopping Mall

Located on the banks of River Hooghly, this place for Shopping in Kolkata has a picturesque location. One of the first mega malls in the Howrah area, the mall boasts o big names like TimeOut, Reliance Trends etc. There is also a PVR located on its premises.

Top 10 Historical Places in Kolkata

 

Top 10 Historical Places in Kolkata

1. Fort William, Kolkata

Fort William, one of the must-visit forts in Kolkata, stands as an iconic structure, reminiscent of the city’s colonial legacy. Sitting on the eastern banks of River Hooghly, the fort covers an area of about 70 hectares. Named after King William III, this fort dates back to the year 1696 and is adorned with intricate stonework. Presently, the fort serves as the Indian Army headquarters of the Eastern Command and so, entry to the inner sections of the fort is restricted for civilians.

2. Marble Palace, Kolkata

This palatial mansion in North Kolkata was built by Raja Rajendra Mullick, an affluent Bengali merchant. This well-preserved 19^th-century residence derives its name from its marble walls, floors, and sculptures. One of the best-known heritage monuments in Kolkata, this mansion is designed in neoclassical architectural style. This three-storied structure stands tall with lawns, gardens, a lake, a rock garden, and a zoo in its surroundings. Marble Palace also boasts of a rich collection of paintings and priceless artworks. A visit to this palace is certainly one of the top things to do in Kolkata, especially for history buffs and art lovers.

3. Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Kolkata

jorasanko Thakur Bari, another prominent historical site in Kolkata, is the ancestral home of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This 18^th-century residence was built on a piece of land donated to Dwarkanath Tagore, the poet’s grandfather, by the renowned Sett family of Burrabazar. Also known as Tagore House, this is the home where the poet was born, spent a major part of his childhood, and breathed his last. At present, the house serves as a museum displaying a rich collection of books, manuscripts, and other antique items related to the poet’s life. 

4. Indian Museum, Kolkata

Established in 1814, Indian Museum is one of the largest and oldest multipurpose museums in Kolkata and in the entire country. The museum is housed in a huge imperial structure and is a treasure trove of the finest collection of objects and artifacts of historical significance. Among the priceless assets of this museum are a 4000-year old Egyptian mummy and some brilliant sculptures on the life of Lord Buddha. Noted among the prominent historical places in the city, this museum should be on your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to Kolkata.

5. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata

St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in Kolkata, which was built in 1847 for the European Christians living in the city at the time. Today, this cathedral is affiliated to the Church of North India and is the biggest church of all. What makes it one of the top historical places in Kolkata is its impeccable architecture which depicts Indo-Gothic style. It is also the first cathedral to have been constructed in the British Empire’s overseas territory.  

6. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Victoria Memorial is an outcome of Lord Curzon’s wish to create a fitting memorial to honor Queen Victoria. This white marble memorial, established in 1921, is surrounded by 64 acres of garden and consists of an opulent museum. You can see the figure of the Angel of Victory on top of the memorial’s central dome. The museum houses 25 galleries displaying an array of collections including sculptures, arms, rare and antiquarian books, paintings, etc. Historical significance together with architectural magnificence make Victoria Memorial one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Kolkata

7. Metcalfe Hall, Kolkata

Metcalfe Hall is a heritage place with stunning architecture that bears a close resemblance to the typical Greek temples in Athens. Nestled in the heart of the city’s business area, this early 19^th-century building was initially home to the Calcutta Public Library collection. Today, the first floor is under the use of the Archaeological Survey of India while the ground floor is home to the Asiatic Society’s rare manuscripts and foreign journals.

8. Shaheed Minar, Kolkata

Topping the list of must-visit historical sites in Kolkata is Shaheed Minar. This memorial was erected in 1828 in the memory of Sir David Ochterlony, who was a commander in the British East India Company, to commemorate his victories on the battlefield. It was thus originally known as Ochterlony Monument. However, in August 1969, this monument was re-dedicated to the memory of the martyrs of India’s struggle for independence and was renamed Shaheed Minar (martyrs’ monument).

9. Town Hall, Kolkata

Kolkata’s Town Hall is an exquisite historical edifice built in Roman-Doric architectural style. Constructed in 1813, this place was used for social gatherings of the European community living in the city at the time. After independence, the edifice fell into a state of neglect. But in 1998, its building was restored to its former glory due to the intervention of the Calcutta High Court and the Archaeological Survey of India. Currently, the Town Hall is used for public functions and gatherings and counts among the top historical buildings in Kolkata.

10. Raj Bhavan, Kolkata

Raj Bhavan, one of the outstanding monuments in Kolkata, serves as the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal. Built in neoclassical architecture with Baroque overtones, this grand three-storied structure was once the seat of British Imperial power. The edifice was designed by Capt. Charles Wyatt and modeled after the residential mansion of the Curzon family. Interestingly, after a century of its construction in the year 1803, this building was occupied by George Nathaniel Curzon, the most well-known member of the Curzon family, as the Viceroy of India.

Kolkata Top 10 Tourist Places

 

Kolkata Top 10 Tourist Places

1.Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Empress Victoria, and is now a museum under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. The memorial lies on the Maidan and is one of the famous monuments of Kolkata.

Address: Victoria Memorial Hall, 1, Queens Way, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071

Phone: 033 2223 1890

 

2.The Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity

Mother Teresa's tomb, preserved room & a small exhibit are on display at this quiet convent.

Address: 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Ripon Street, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016

Phone: 033 2249 7115

 

3.Dakshineswar Kali Temple

Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu navaratna temple located at Dakshineswar. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, a form of Kali, otherwise known as Adishakti Kalika. The temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali.

Address: Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700076

Phone: 033 2564 5222

 

4.Park Street

Park Street, officially known as Mother Teresa Sarani, is a famous thoroughfare in the city of Kolkata, India. The street runs through what was a deer park of Sir Elijah Impey, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Calcutta from 1773 to 1789, hence the earlier name. 

KMC wards: 61, 63, 64

 

5.Japanese Forest - Eco Tourism Park.

Outdoor area & popular photography destination with Buddha statues, temples & Shinto shrines.

Address: Jatragachhi, Deshbandhu Nagar, New Town, West Bengal 700156

 

6.Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge is a balanced cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. Commissioned in 1943, the bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, because it replaced a pontoon bridge at the same location linking the two cities of Howrah and Kolkata.

Address: Howrah, West Bengal 700001

 

7.Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens is a cricket ground in Kolkata, India. Established in 1864, it is the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India after the newly built Narendra Modi Stadium and third-largest in the world after Narendra Modi Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground. The stadium currently has a capacity of 80,000. 

Address: Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021

Departments: BC Roy Club House

Phone: 033 2248 0411

 

8.Science City Kolkata

The Science City of Kolkata is the largest science centre in the Indian subcontinent. It is Managed by National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is located at the crossing of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass and J. B. S. Haldane Avenue in East Topsia. 

Address: JBS Haldane Ave, Mirania Gardens, East Topsia, Topsia, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046

Phone: 033 2285 4343

 

9.Kalighat Kali Temple

Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Kalighat was a Ghat sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river in the city of Kolkata. 

Address: Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026

Phone: 033 2243 6440

 

10.Alipore Zoological Garden

The Zoological Garden, Alipore is India's oldest formally stated zoological park and a big tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. It has been open as a zoo since 1876, and covers 18.811 ha.

Address: 2, Alipore Rd, Alipur Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027