Hotel Review

1. Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb and the Orient Express:

Hotel Esplanade the most iconic hotel of Zagreb, Croatia was built in 1925 to carter to the tourist on the luxurious Orient Express, which once operated between Paris and Istambul. Today the Orient Express has long stopped operating but Hotel Esplanade still remains the centre of attraction of Zagreb’s social life, offering unseen luxuries to its guests. including kings, politicians and artists. Read more… 

2. Bawali Rajbari, Budge Budge, 24 Parganas (South):

Recently the magnificent but the crumbling Bawali Mansion of the Mondal have been taken over by Calcutta (Kolkata) based businessman Ajay Rawla, who has taken up the initiative of turning the ruined mansion into a heritage hotel.Presently four rooms have been renovated and are opening to public. The open area consisting of a dinning hall and two drawing rooms have also been renovated but keeping the old rustic look alive. Read more…

3. Cochrane Place, Kurseong:

Located on the outskirts of the town of Kurseong (near Darjeeling) is Cochrane Place, the restored and recreated residence of Percy John Cochrane, MBE (1866 – 1944), Honorable Magistrate and Barrister of Kurseong Town. Cochrane Place is a heritage resort with an unique blend of tea, trains and tranquility. Restored in stone, log and cast iron splendor, Cocharne Place  is a botique hotel for guests looking for warm and friendly ambiance. Perched high up on the ridge, Cochrane Place offers breathtaking views of the mighty Kanchenjunga and also of the rolling tea gardens. Read more…

4. Heritage Tour of The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel:

Started in 1840 as the Auckland Hotel it was renamed as the Great Eastern Hotel in 1865. It was the “Jewel of the East” and the best hotel east of Suez. It long list of esteemed guest included members of the Royalty and celebrities from round the world, including Queen Elizabeth II, Mahatma Gandhi, Ho Chi Min, Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain. It closed down in 2015 after 165 years of continuous operation, the longest by any hotel, any where in the world. It was reopened in 2013 as The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel, and can be best explored by a guided walking tour of the hotel. Read more…

5: The Rajbari Bawali, Inspired Heritage:

The crumbling Mondal Mansion of Bawali (near Budge Budge) has been converted into a heritage hotel, thanks to the initiative of Ajay Rawala. Today the heritage hotel, a true example of inspired heritage, operates with 30 rooms. Other felicities include swimming pool, pool side bar, spa and a pavilion for open air meals. The verandha comes in with a mini bar and provides grand view of the courtyard and thakurdalan and is ideal for musical performance. Behind the thakurdalan lies the rustic yet beautiful dinning room. Read more…

6. Amadpur, a royal homestay in terracotta country:

Villages dotted with terracotta temples is nothing uncommon in the Gangatic Bengal region, but Amadpur, near Memari, in Bardhaman District, offers a unique combination of terracotta temples along with a heritage home stay in a renovated zamindar mansion. One of the Chaudhuri Mansions in Amadpur is converted into a heritage homestay and is christened Baithkkhana Amadpur. Amadpur is best explored on foot and local guides takes visitors along the winding roads. They narrate an amazing tale with an interesting mix of history and folklore. The tour also includes some amazing terracotta temples and ruined mansions. Read more…

7. Balakhana Heritage Home Stay, Maheshganj Estate:

Balakhana, Maheshganj Estate, an indigo planter’s bungalow, converted into a heritage home stay  is one of the prime heritage properties of West Bengal. The Balakhana Heritage Home Stay, Maheshganj is Italian in origin, French in style and has a rich Bengali legacy. lOcated about 135 lm from Kolkata The Balakhan Heritage Home Stay is spread over an area of 17 acres and the Nil Kuthi (Indigo Planters Bungalow) covers 12,000 sq, ft. of living space. Presently Balakhana a total of 5 guest rooms. 3 of the rooms have AC, but the high ceiling and thick walls provide an natural cooling mechanism. Read more…

8. Calcutta Bungalow, Heritage Bed & Breakfast:

Calcutta Bungalow – Heritage Bed & Breakfast, an initiative of Calcutta Walks. An old Bengali family house belonging to the  Majumdars in north Calcutta is converted into Calcutta’s first heritage bed & breakfast. The Calcutta Bungalow houses six rooms each representing six different neighborhoods of the city. In Calcutta Bungalow, the entire property is seamlessly blended the old world heritage charm with the amenities of the modern world resulting into a boutique hotel. Read more…

9. Sterling Resort, holiday differently in Bengali’s favourite tourist spot:

The Sterling Resort Puri is located 5 km from Swargadwar the heart of Puri’s tourist attraction. It is located next to the sea mouth of River Dhaudia, which in turn is the distributary of River Bhargabi. The place is popularly known as Mohana (literally meaning sea mouth). Sterling Holiday Resort is a leading holiday company in India. Established in 1986 today it houses 33 resorts spread over 30 locations across the country. Its 3000 + employs host over 15 lakh guest every year. Read more…

10. Rasbari Garden House, Belur, a unique combination of homestay and pilgrimage:

Rasbari Garden House in Belur, Howrah is the latest addition in the list of evergrowing heritage homestays near Kolkata. But it is different it is not just a heritagehomestay but a entire temple complex overlooking the might Hooghly River. It also doubles up as a picnic spot and a day out gateway for Kolkatans. The temple complex, centred around the Radharaman Jew Temple, dates back to the late 19th century and was built by Purnachandra Daw of Jorasanko Daw family. The century old Daw Rasbari has been converted into Rasbari Garden House providing homestay, picnic and day out facilities not only for Kolkatans but also for tourist visiting Kolkata. Read more…

11. Chalamthang Homestay, South Sikkim, a home away from home:

So imagine a place in Sikkim offering a grand view of the meandering Teesta River thundering along the rolling green hills. The scattered towns and villages dotting the lush green hill scape and last but not least the snowy landscape of the Nathula Pass. Yes Chalamthang in South Sikkim near Singtam offers such a view and since there is no Kanchanjunga there is no crowd also. Chalamthang literally means Orange Farm in Lepcha language. The Chalamthang Homestay is located on the edge of a hilltop with a panoramic view of the Himalayan foothill.. Read more…

12. Bari Kothi, boutique heritage hotel at Azimgunj:

Bari Kothi, Azimganj, a boutique heritage hotel. It offers a royal stay with a dash of Sherwali Cuisine. It serves as an ideal day tour destinations for the former Bengal capital of Murshidabad. The 250 year family mansion of the Dudhoria family, has recently been restored and renovated into a boutique heritage hotel. Today the Bari Kothi consist of Sheesh Mahal, Library, Music Room, Durbar Hall, Janana Chowk, Gaddi Ghar, Halwai Khana, Gulabi Chawara amongst other parts of the house. Read more…

13. Rasbari Garden House in Belur, revisited:

Rasbari Garden House in Belur, Howrah is the latest addition to the heritage hotels or homestays of West Bengal. Butitis not just a heritage homestay itis a functional temple complex and can double up as a pilgrimage. Moreover there are options for picnic and ady out. Presently the Rasbari Garden House hosts two four bed rooms and four two beds rooms. Food served is generally veg, however fish is served on request.  Read more…

14. Mantra Koodam Resort, Kumbakonam :

Kumbakonam or Kudanthai is a town in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. There are about 180 temples located within the town and apart from that there several thousand temples around the town and hence it is popularly referred to as the temple town. The Mantra Koodam Resort in Kumbakonam provides a spiritual experience ans serves as a home away from home. It curates an extraordinary experiences that arise from its intimate bonding with nature and community. A holidays in the resort provide an extraordinary experiences that arise from intimate bonding with nature and community.Read more…

15. Holiday Express Inn Bangkok Siam:

Bangkok is a big city with choatic traffic and numerous hotels. A convinently located in Bangkok saves a lot of commuting time and helps a tourist explore more of the city. Hotrl Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam has a convinent location with easy connectivity to the airports and the remaining part of the city. It is located at the heart of the city’s shopping district and is a ideal place for shop till you drop. Read more…