Instead of the generic chain of hotels that look and feel the same no matter the location, I prefer a much more personalized touch. So I look for a unique experience, which usually leads me to a boutique or a heritage hotel. When I was in Kolkata, I got to experience an exceptional hotel. Here is my detailed experience –

Disclaimer: This is not a paid promotion. All the views expressed here are personal and written from my experience. My idea/post is intended only to appreciate this excellent hotel. 

Credit: I picked up some information and details from their site. All rights belong to the hotel only. 

Site: https://calcuttabungalow.com/

LOCATION

This gem of a place is located in North Kolkata. This part of Kolkata was called ‘Black Town’ by Britishers and was the heart of the Bengali part of the city. 

It is half an hour from the Dum Dum/ Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport and about twenty minutes from the Howrah Railway Station and Bus Station. 

It is located in one of the city’s busiest areas; just a walk away are the Markets and Kumartuli. To visit other parts of the city, you must hire a cab, or you can take the metro, which is 5 mins walk. 

This hotel also has a lot of restaurants and eateries nearby, like Bhojohori Manna & Arsalan. 

I had food from Arsalan. This place is known for its Biryani. So I had their famous Mutton (Lamb) Biryani. Each Biryani is unique; this one was mild, full of ghee, and had a potato. It was good; I do recommend trying it. (However, my favorite will always be the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani!)

I didn’t eat in this branch of Bhojohari which was close to the hotel. But I have eaten in one of their other branches in the city, and I would recommend having lunch in this chain of restaurants.  

ABOUT

It has six bedrooms, each arranged according to a particular theme. I stayed in ‘Darzipara’ or the ‘Tailor’s suite.’ There were a lot of props and pieces of machinery used by tailors in yesteryears, capturing the time of a bygone era. However, all these rooms are fitted with all the needed modern amenities, including air conditioning, Wifi, universal electric power plugins, and much more (I think one of the rooms has a bathtub). 

Apart from the rooms, there are some common areas that all the guests can use. 

1. Dining room – where one can have a comfortable breakfast. 
2. Reception & Souvenir shop – the first thing that welcomes the visitor into this paradise. 
3. Open Space – there are several open spaces where the guest can just sit and relax. 
4. The Rooftop – is a fully furnished rooftop area where food is served. 

Additional amenities include – walking tours and a taxi owned by the hotel. I heard they also arrange photoshoots if you are interested (check out their website). 

STAFF & FOOD

The staff here were some of the most courteous and enthusiastic people I had encountered in all my travels. They were happy to answer any questions or assist in any way. They seemed to like working here and were happy to help. I didn’t find a single staff member who didn’t have a smile, and an added factor is that these smiles were genuine. 

The check-in process was smooth and seamless. Since there was no elevator on the property, the staff helped us with our luggage. The room service was also outstanding – timely & polite.

I had breakfast here in their dining room on the first floor. The food was delicious. The quality and quantity of the food were appropriate. And the menu included a Western and Bengali spread of breakfast options. My breakfast was included in my booking, so it was convenient. 

PROS

• The place is unique & unforgettable, with the old-world Bengali charm well preserved. 
• The rooms are well decorated, and it is one of a kind experience. 
• The property was well maintained and comfortable with all the facilities.
• Sustainably maintained.
• Good food.
• Courteous staff

CONS

Not a lot, the only thing I can think of is its location which was further away from many of the main tourist attractions like the Victoria Memorial and Kalighat. We can hire cabs to get there. But I found it a little hard and time-consuming to order rideshare (Uber/Ola) apps to this place, as they took some time to get here. However, there is a simple remedy: order a cab in advance, i.e., 15-20 minutes before you are ready to leave. Or if you walk for a few minutes, you come to the main road where you can hire a yellow cab. Another option is to ask the hotel staff to arrange a taxi for you; they are more than happy to help.