Kolkata, the 'City of Joy', reeks of old world charm – trams that started in 1902, Howrah Bridge constructed in 1936, Dakshineshwar Temple of 1855, College Street that dates back to 1817, Fort William opened in 1781 and many more such places that remind us of the glorious old days. But how would it feel to relive those days. To allow us a piece of that history that includes colonial era, lot of palaces and zamindar houses have opened their doors and restored their royalty to give a feel of those olden-golden days.
And here we have 15 of those properties across West Bengal offering public to live life “royalty-size” with some properties costing as low as INR 3,000/night!
1. Bari Kothi
Built in the late 1700s, “Bari Kothi”, literally meaning “Palace Of The Elder” is a visual delight with an eclectic mix of Greek, Roman and French architecture belonging to the Dudhoria family that is located in Murshidabad that includes a library, a music room, and areas such as Sheesh Mahal, Durbar Hall, Janana Chowk, Gaddi Ghar, Halwai Khana, and Gulabi Chawara apart from the luxurious suites.
Location: Murshidabad
Tariff: INR 15,730/night onwards (excluding tax)
2. Calcutta Bungalow
Located in North Kolkata, that was once referred by the British as “Black Town”, lies a restored townhouse called Calcutta Bungalow that houses rooms paying tribute to the professions of the old neighbourhood and their trade. Mochipara, Jatrapara, Darzipara, Patuapara, Boipara and Sahibpara rooms are dedicated to cobblers, theatre artists, tailors and dressmakers, folk art of patuas, shelves stacked with old books, and Victorian buggy lights and photographs of old Calcutta respectively.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 5,000/night onwards (excluding tax)
3. Glenburn Penthouse
Situated right in the heart of the city Glenburn Penthouse boasts of a strategic location – Park Street (literally Kolkata’s heartbeat). A fine blend of Parisian style of interior keeping the tones to the pastel pinks, celadon green, yellow and white and hues of light blues. Collections of art that reflect the historical theme of the hotel fill walls with interesting stories and map out journeys taken by early travellers. Fine carpets, cool marble floors, elegant hallways are a gentle reminder of opulence of British era.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 19,000/night onwards (excluding tax)
4. Raajkutir
The architecture of Raajkutir, inspired by the seamless merging of Indo-Saracenic elements with traditional monuments and mansions depicting Bengali architecture, is a tribute to the Bengal Renaissance. Located near the Salt Lake Stadium, this 33-room property has accommodations overlooking an open courtyard that is synonymous with a traditional Rajbari, raas manch or ceremonial hall, a palanquin in the courtyard, hand-pulled pakhas (fans) in the restaurant and a horse carriage that gives it a traditional touch.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 7,000/night onwards (excluding tax)
5. The Elgin Fairlawn
The Elgin Fairlawn that stands at the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder Street since 1783 amidst the greenery of the garden easily takes one back to a 200-year-old era. This is a potpourri of the colonial past that is represented by the presence of colonial memorabilia and décor along with modern comforts.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 6,500/night onwards (excluding tax)
6. The Rajbari Bawali
Located an hour and a half from Kolkata, The Rajbari Bawali is a 300-year-old boutique heritage property that exhibits opulence, style and grace of the Bengal Zamindars and provides an experience as authentic and luxurious as possible.
Location: Nodakhali, South 24 Parganas
Tariff: INR 6,500/night onwards (excluding tax)
7. Manabari Greens
Nestled amidst a sprawling 25-acre of green grassland in the Dooars of North Bengal, surrounded by tea estates, Manabari Greens is a boutique plantation style eco resort that emanates a grand rustic tone of pre-independence era. Blooming flowers, glowing fireflies, a stroll through the private woodland and adjacent tea gardens – this property provides its guest the perfect setting to relax and rejuvenate.
Location: Dooars
Tariff: INR 2,500/night onwards (excluding tax)
8. Jhargram Raj Bari – A Royal Heritage Homestay
Known for being the shooting location of famous Bengali movies such as Sannyashi Raja, Tintirettor-Jishu, Durgesgarer Guptadhan and many more, Jhargram Rajbari is an entralling blend of grand history, splendid stay and fascinating scenic beauty. Current residence of the Malla Dev Royal family, its architecture displays a mix of artistically built Muslim and Gothic styles.
Location: Jhargram
Tariff: INR 2,350/night onwards (excluding tax)
9. Balakhana House
Stay amidst orchards, farmland, green fields and gardens in an early 19th century villa of French origin that is spread across a 16-acre estate - Maheshganj Estate. The villa, just 130 km from Kolkata dates back to the 1780s and is steeped in history – from being built by an Italian doctor to being sold to a British indigo planter, this property is often known as “Neelkuthi” among the locals due to its long-standing association with indigo.
Location: Maheshganj, Nadia
Tariff: INR 5,000/night onwards (excluding tax)
10. Makaibari Bungalow
Surrounded by tea estates, situated atop a hill in Kurseong, Makaibari Bungalow in Darjeeling, is a charming 5-bedroom retreat!! Designed keeping in mind the aesthetics of a tea planter’s abode, this bungalow has been structured with solid wood ceiling, flooring and doors. The intricate detailing and artifacts collected from all over the world to design its interiors speak of the impeccable taste speak of Rudra Chatterjee who is the Managing Director of Kolkata-based Luxmi Group that owns the Makaibari tea estate.
Location: Kurseong
Tariff: INR 60,000 for 10 guests/night (excluding tax)
11. Cochrane Place
Located just an hour’s drive away from Siliguri and Darjeeling, this boutique property is perched up on a ridge that overlooks the renowned tea estates of Makaibari, Castleton and Amboomtia, in the “Land of the white orchids” – Kurseong. Retaining its old-world charm, the British colonial home was restored in stone, log and cast iron, with fine wooden paneling and furnished with antique artifacts that provides a warm, cozy ambience to the set-up. Overlooking the Himalayas, Cochrane Place not just offers a colonial stay but also savoury Anglo Indian cuisine that is served at their café and restaurant – Chai Country.
Location: Kurseong
Tariff: INR 4,500/night onwards (excluding tax)
12. The Ivy House
Owned by Kurseong’s Cochrane Place, this is a 80 year old building located in the quiet residential Ballygunge neighbourhood that remains a testament of the old Bengal bourgeois. Ivy-laden gate, wooden doors with lion-head knockers, private courtyard with an old mango tree, large poster beds, mother-of-pearl almirahs, vintage floor tiles from Portugal – every fine detail brings together the aesthetics of this gorgeous homestay whose theme is inspired by the flowers of Bengal.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 5,500/night onwards (excluding tax)
Contact: +91-8777090903, reservation@ivyhousekolkata.com
13. Lalbari
If you want a vintage experience right in the heart of Kolkata then "LalBari" is “The” place to be. A hundred-year-old bungalow that is stuck in a time capsule amidst the multi-storey buildings that surround it. Situated in a locality called Bhawanipur that has been one of the best spaces offering vintage spaces, with a hint of modernity, this heritage property wears the crown.
P.S. – This heritage property has seen the likes of guests such as Ravi Shankar, Indira Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi himself.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 3,800 for 2 persons/night (excluding tax)
Contact: +91-9051768171
14. The Corner Courtyard
Dating back to 1904, The Corner Courtyard is housed in a restored zamindar residence that resonates with a lot of classic Kolkata’s old-world charm. Being omnipresent at the corner of the road for over a century that leads to an area with modern constructions this vintage beauty offers a central courtyard, shelves stacked with coffee table books and old pin-cameras, old door locks hanging from walls – everything exudes an antique vibe.
Location: Kolkata
Tariff: INR 3,500 onwards/night (excluding tax)
Contact: +91-9903999567, +91-33-40610145/6
15. Itachuna Rajbari
Also known as Bargee Danga, Itachuna Rajbari’s name has been derived from Bargee that was given to Maratha looters by the Bengalis, who used to attack Bengal to collect Chauth, which was one-fourth of the tax to be paid by the Nawab of Bengal, Orissa and Bihar. Not just stay, it offers immersive experiences like the evening aarti or sandhya aaroti (in Bengali) – a tradition followed by almost all Bengali families, rural music programmes and other events. The rooms are named on familial relationships such as Ginni Maa, Boro Maa, Mejo Maa, Kaka Babu, Pishe Moshai and many more!
Location: Itachuna
Tariff: INR 3,000/night onwards (excluding tax)
Sometimes it is good to relive the days we have only heard of, from our ancestors who were lucky enough to be a part of the past that shaped our current. Glimpsing through the pages of the past will help us protect our heritage and pass it on to our future generations to come – which is what these properties aim to achieve.
Have you started planning your staycation yet? Its time you do!
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