Kolkata is a city where one can discover marvels of the past simply by walking around the streets and lanes. Once the epicentre of the British Empire, the city has held on to an extraordinary variety of historic houses with a signature style—a mix of colonial-era looks and local elements. With louvre windows, cast-iron railings, vintage mosaic floors, central courtyards, and red oxide floors, these family residences add to the city's unique character.

While many are falling apart or demolished, some have been converted into boutiques, cafés, art galleries, and offbeat stays. These heritage properties stand as testimony to adaptive reuse projects in the hospitality industry, a form of sustainable urban renewal which prolongs the building's life while preserving architectural and cultural heritage.

Calcutta Bungalow

This 1920s building used to be one of many crumbling townhouses that dot the North Kolkata landscape until Iftekhar Ahsan of the award-winning Calcutta Walks and his friend, Chris Chen, transformed the space into a heritage B&B stay. The rooms draw inspiration from North Kolkata's extensive history, displaying the trades and professions of old neighbourhoods.

Why We Love It: The Kolkata theme that runs through the spaces. For instance, the walls in the Mochipara room (devoted to cobblers) display the traditional leather bags carried by bus and tram conductors in Kolkata.

Price per night: Rs 6,000+ onwards

Address: 5, Radha Kanta Jew St, Fariapukur, Shyambazar

The Elgin Fairlawn

This hotel should be your pit stop to soak in genteel colonial charm. Creaking with atmosphere, this iconic heritage hotel is housed inside a building built in 1783 and sits in the backpacker-friendly neighbourhood of Sudder Street. Step inside, and it's all antiques and soft furnishings. This place has housed every kind of celebrity, from Nobel laureate Gunter Grass and musician Sting to playwright Tom Stoppard and actor Patrick Swayze. Room 17 is known as "The Shashi Kapoor Room," in honour of the actor who was a frequent visitor.

Why We Love It: It has bags of personality. And it is located in the city's centre, close to iconic Kolkata landmarks like Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, the riverside ghats, New Market, and the Maidan.

Price per night: Rs 5,500+ onwards

Address: 13A, Sudder St, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, Esplanade, Dharmatala

LalBari

This distinctive red brick bungalow in Bhowanipore is the erstwhile home of the former chief minister of West Bengal, Siddhartha Shankar Ray. It has hosted Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Ravi Shankar, and Motilal Nehru, among others. The house has a vintage charm with Burma teak beds, rocking chairs, sepia-toned photographs on walls, stunning bannisters, and even pianos. You'll love sitting out on the verandah, overlooking the sprawling garden. Rooms can be booked on Airbnb.

Why We Love It: Come here for the genteel bhadrolok vibes, and old-world Kolkata feels—the interiors make you feel like you are in a 1950s Bengali film set.

Price per night: Rs 3,500+ onwards

Address: 2, Beltala Rd, Bakul Bagan, Kalighat

Corner Courtyard

Housed in a restored zamindari home dating back to 1904, this boutique hotel has the grandeur of a landowner's residence with a generous dose of eccentricity. You can choose from seven cosy rooms, each with a unique theme. The central courtyard doubles as the dining area. It has shelves stacked with coffee table books and old cameras. You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant (dishes here are a fusion of flavours with a local touch) or drink a cocktail on the rooftop bar.

Why We Love It: The quirky decor is a hook—think salvaged and upcycled memorabilia from old Kolkata buildings, such as vintage locks, keys, mirrors, and antique post boxes.

Price per night: Around Rs 3,600+ onwards

Address: 92 B, Sarat Bose Road