DAY 1: 20 APR’18 (FRI): DELHI - KOLKATA
Early morning departed from home to board the flight to Kolkata by AI 401 at 0650 hours. Reached airport at 0430 hours. There was a long queue at the Air India counter, probably due to international connection as the flight was going onward to Singapore. The security check in counter was also mess; there was also a long queue. The boarding time at the boarding pass was given at 0600 hours and the security check in was over by 0545 hours. Anyhow, boarded the flight and the flight took off well in time. Food was served onboard. The quality of the food was excellent.
Reached Kolkata at 0840 hours, after baggage collection met with Clubside representative Mr. Neeraj with driver Sanjay and transferred to hotel Astor. Astor is approx 1 hour drive from airport. To avoid the traffic we took bypass road Sriram Nagar which is less crowded as it is not in the main city. On the way we saw many colonial buildings, we crossed the old Kolkata road where you will still find old style of rickshaw a man pulling rickshaw on foot which you will only find in the old part of Kolkata. We also crossed “BowBazaar” where the famous Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Devdas is based. Bow bazaar is full of jewellery shops.
Finally I reached to my hotel for check in. As early check in always subject to availability so waited for approx 45 mins to get the rooms clear.
GOLDEN TULIP:
1200 hours: Started my day with visit to The Golden Tulip, Salt Lake City Kolkata. The hotel stands out for its breathtaking views in the heart of the city. The hotel is conveniently located in close proximity to the International airport.
- Total 55 rooms including suites.
- Category of rooms are – Deluxe, Executive and suites.
- All rooms are well-equipped with a private bathroom, flat screen televisions, quibble shower, an in-room safe, mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- The coffee shop "Anti pasti" is located on the 3rd floor and opens about 24 hours in room dining a day for both residence and non residence guests. The restaurant offers a wide choice of buffet breakfast and a la carte for lunch and dinner.
- There have special Hookah Bar "Noir-The Glass House, located on the 7th floor and Noir-The Sky Lounge has a fantastic view over the city. It opens from early sundowners to late nightcaps. Used for parties.
- They have separate parking facility.
- They have noswimming pool.
At the end, the lunch has been hosted by Mr. Debashish Sarkar at the hotel restaurant.
Overall Observation: Can be given to clients who are coming for the transit or to the corporate. Hotel is mostly used for the events and marriages by the locals.
HYATT REGENCY:
1330 hours: My second visit to the centrally located 5 Star hotel Hyatt Regency at Salt Lake city of Kolkata. The lobby is very large but busy and noisy. This Kolkata hotel is just 15 minutes' drive from the Kolkata international airport. The location of the hotel makes it the most convenient hotel for business & leisure travelers.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- All the markets and shopping arcade are closer to the hotel.
- They have separate parking facility.
- They have a large swimming pool, Spa, in house Salon, fitness centre.
Remarks: Since there was a large Doctor conference in the city so the hotel was sold out and could not get a chance to see the rooms.
Overall Observation:Recommended for business and corporate clients.
ITC SONAR BANGLA:
1415 Hours: We proceed further to visit 5 Star Luxury resort ITC Sonar Bangla, located on JBS road Haldane Avenue. The hotel has architectural design contrasting with the rich historical essence of Kolkata. The lobby area is very large, outside the lobby there is big pond. The concept of this pond has come from old Bengali house call it “Bagaan Baari” which means a pond inside the house. ITC is approx 15 minute drive from the city centre. The best part of the hotel is they grow vegetable and fruits in their own organic farms.
- Category of rooms are – Executive Club, Eva Rooms, The Towers, ITC 1 and Suites.
- All rooms are well-equipped and spacious with a private bathroom, flat screen televisions, cubicle shower, some rooms have cubicle as well as bath tubs, in-room safety locker, hair dryer, mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities. Few rooms have painting on the walls.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- They have spa, health club, in house salon on chargeable basis, fitness centre, large swimming pool and baby pool.
- An award winning restaurant Pan Asian which serves traditional oriental cuisine, there next restaurant is Dum Pukht which serves Indian cuisine, West view Bar and Grill, Eden Pavilion is there multi cuisine restaurant, Peshawri North west Frontier and Bay of Bengal for the clients who want to avoid the noisy place.
Remarks: ITC is coming up with their super luxury hotel at the same location ITC Royal Bengal with approx 622 rooms and 3 swimming pools. Hoping to be operational from the 1st quarter of 2019.
Overall Observation: Highly recommended for VIP clients. The services and the facilities are at par. The staffs are very professional.
JWMARRIOTT:
My last hotel for the day was JW Marriott 5 star property located at JBS Haldane Avenue road with total 281 rooms. The lobby was little fancy but large. They have fitness club, spa, salon and roof top swimming pool which is huge and amazing view of the city from swimming pool. Due to doctor conference could not get chance to see the rooms as the hotel was sold out.
Around 1900 hours returned back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 2: 21 APR’18 (SAT): IN KOLKATA
1100 hours: Today started my day with visit to The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata situated on the prime location at the centre of the city S Planet, Chowringhee Road. Easily accessible to all the markets and sightseeing places. This 123 year old 5 star luxury Colonial property nicely decorated with beautiful paintings on the wall. All the collection was done by Mr. Oberoi himself.
- Category of rooms are – Deluxe rooms, Luxury Rooms, Premier rooms, Premier room with Balcony and Suites.
- Deluxe, Luxury and Premier Rooms are city facing. Suites are on the top floors.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- They have spa, health club, in house salon, fitness centre, swimming pool.
-They have an award winning Thai restaurant – Baan Thai.
- Three sixty three°, offers international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- They have bar with modern yet classical experience, single malts, fine wines and specially curated cocktails in our bar.
Remarks:Due to doctor conference could not get a chance to see the rooms as the hotel was sold out.
Overall Observation: Highly recommended for high end clients all the markets and sighsteeing places are close at a walking distance. Clients can easily go by walk. The services and professionalism of the staff is at par.
THEPARK:
1215 hours: The Park Kolkata situated in the park street, very close to Indian museum. This 5-star hotel is within close proximity of Sudder Street and New Market.
Total 149 rooms featuring refrigerators and minibar. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks. Suite rooms are spacious.
They have 4 dining restaurants and coffee shop/café. Saffron is their India restaurant.
Overall Observation: Due to doctor conference the hotel is sold out. However, manage to see Suite rooms which is spacious. Swimming pool area is not clean. Entrance and the lobby area is very fancy like a discotheque. Hence, cannot suggested to our clients. In case if client request then we can give.
FAIRLAWN, KOLKATA:
0135 hours: Moved towards Fairlawn Kolkata located in New Market at Sudder Street. This 300 year old grand heritage hotel is now taken by Elgin group. The building is in old colonial style built during British Raj. They have total 19 rooms all standard. The rooms, bathrooms and amenities are basic but now slowly and gradually they are coming up with new techniques. They have already started working on free Wi-Fi facilities. There are lot many bollywood and Hollywood celebrities who stayed in Fairlawn. The hotel wall is full of these celebrity pictures.
Throughout the year they have same rates.
Overall Observation: Can give to clients who are looking for basic accommodation. The staffs are professionals.
LYTTON, KOLKATA:
1415 hours: Proceed to Lytton, Kolkata located in the heart of the city Sudder Street, parallel to Fairlawn hotel. Total 80 rooms. All Deluxe rooms and 5 suites. Rooms are ok ok mostly for business groups. They have 3 restaurants – Gaylord restaurant is a multi cuisine, Dynasty restaurant serves Chinese and Thai food and the Sunset bar. They organise party and social gatherings.
Overall Observation : Hotel with acceptable standard and can be use for budget clients. Small Lobby.
THE LALIT GREAT EASTERN KOLKATA:
1545 hours: The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata was built in 1841 as the "Auckland Hotel" and is the longest continuously operating hotel with 165 years of operation until its renovation in 2006. The architecture at this hotel is a combination of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary styles. The hotel is centrally located in close proximity to key commercial and business locations. Located in Dalhousie Square Street.
- Total 215 rooms including suites.
- Category of rooms are – Luxury rooms, Deluxe Rooms with city view, Premier rooms with Garden/Pool view, Legacy/Legacy suites, Victorian Suite and Victorian Executive suite.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- They have spa, health club, in house salon, fitness centre, swimming pool.
- They have 02 restaurants Alfresco and The Legacy Grill. The hotel also operates a separate tea lounge, a bakery and a bar.
Overall Observation: Nicely decorated walls with paintings in the lobby area. Some old parts has also used to give the old traditional look to the building. Lobby is very large but crowded like Delhi Lalit. Mostly used by the corporates but we can give to our clients.
PEERLESS INN:
1600 Hours: Peerless Inn located in Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata. The lobby is ok.
- Total 125 rooms including suites.
- Category of rooms are – Superior rooms, Premier rooms, Suite and Chowringee Suite.
- All the rooms have Free Wi-Fi internet services.
- The rooms are ok ok but the view from room is good.
- They do not have swimming pool.
Overall Observation : The hotel is ok. Need renovation. View from the room is good. Can be recommended to clients who look for less budget.
HHI, KOLKATA:
1630 hours: HHI is located in AJC Bose Road near Park Street. It’s a modern concept hotel. Mainly used for corporates and weddings. Total 184 rooms which categorize into imperial which is with Twin beds only, Imperial Premium, Colony, Colony Plus, Colony Premium and Suites. They have 02 restaurants. They have swimming pool.
Overall Observation The hotel is ok for corporates and wedding groups. The staffs are not professional.
PAN ASIA CONTINENTAL:
1730 Hours: Hotel Pan Asia Continental is a brand new Business Hotel situated in the heart of the City, the hotel offers tastefully designed, well-appointed Rooms with Cubical Shower having Air-Condition and Mini Bar among other Modern Amenities. Located in Sarat Bose Road near Balligyunge. Total 61 rooms. They do not have Swimming pool and fitness club.
Overall Observation: The hotel is not for our clients. It’s more like 2 star property. The staffs are not at all professional.
After long hectic day return back to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 3: 22 APR’18 (SUN): KOLKATA – DELHI
0900 Hours: Today check out at 0900 hours and started my day exploring the old and new part of Kolkata. Being Sunday the whole city was closed. Me along with my guide Mrs. Malini Bose – very knowledgeable guide and driver proceed to Howrah, approx 01 hour drive from my hotel Astor. Due to Sunday there was less traffic. We finally reached to Howrah and visited Flower market. We didn’t go inside the market as it huge and takes time. Situated in the Northeast end of Howrah Mallick Ghat flower market was very good with variety of flowers. Many workers live in makeshift shacks, bathing in the river behind from a ghat with sunset views of Howrah Bridge.
Our next visit was Dakshineswar Kali Temple, sacred temples in Kolkata, dedicated to goddess Kali. Dakshineswar Temple is one of the largest temples near Kolkata and it is also an architectural treasure. Can be given to clients who intend to visit.
Note: Mobile phones, Camera and Big bags are not allowed in the Temple. Only small handbags are allowed.
Belur Math:
Headquarter of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math (aka Belur Mutt) is located near the Hooghly River and spread across forty acres of land. Fusion of Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist and Christian styles of architecture, the Math stands proud as a symbol of secularism. A visit to the Belur Math fills ones soul with contentment and peace. The place is different than any other place of worship where one is expected to just sit and meditate. There is no ritualistic offering made, no flowers or sweets put on offer. The silence that envelops the place is the most important feature of the Belur Math.
One can take boat ride from Belur Math to Dakshineswar which takes approx 20 minutes and the charges are very nominal Rs. 10/- only Indian/Foreigner same.
Visiting Hours from April to September is 06 am to 1130 am and 0400 pm to 0700 pm
From October to March is 0630 am to 1130 am, 0330 pm to 0600 pm
Closed on Monday’s
Every evening a special bell is rung when the aarti begins and then the visitors are supposed to sit inside the main Sri Ramakrishna Temple and not allowed to loiter around.
Kumartuli Idol Makers – A must visit place
Countless clay effigies of deities and demons immersed in the Hooghly during Kolkata’s colourful pujas (offering or prayers) are created in specialist kumar (sculptor) workshops in this enthralling district, notably along Banamali Sarkar St, the lane running west from Rabindra Sarani. Craftsmen are busiest from April to October, creating straw frames, adding clay coatings, and painting divine features on idols for Durga and Kali festivals. In November, old frameworks wash up on riverbanks and are often repurposed the following year.
Apart from gods and (vanquished) demons, you'll often see statues of Victorian figurines, popular historical figures and local legends being constructed, as these are often used to decorate puja pandals.
This place is must visit where you will see the craftsmen’s how they live there and dedicated to their work. One can do a walking tour to this place both in FIT and in groups. It is located in north Kolkata along the river of Hooghly. It has grown into a trade and contributing towards the livelihood of many people.
We also drive pass Dalhousie square House, Colonial buildings which is now used as shopping malls, offices and government post offices. Due to time constraint stop for a photo shoot at Victoria Memorial.
Around 1430 hours took a quick lunch at Bengali restaurant – C/O Bengali which serves typical Bengali food at reasonable cost.
1600 hours: check into airport to catch flight to Delhi by at 1800 hours. The flight was little delayed..
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Exotic land of Rising Sun & Hidden Paradise - 18 Nights / 19 Days
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