'Taj Taal Kutir Draws Inspiration From The City's Rich Heritage'
Situated in the heart of Kolkata's vibrant New Town, Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata seamlessly blends the city's historic charm with contemporary sophistication. From dining spaces that showcase local and global flavours to expansive event venues and bespoke offerings, the property stands out as a luxurious urban sanctuary with a deep connection to its cultural and natural surroundings. In this interview, General Manager Sumit Singh Deol shares insights into how the hotel's art deco-inspired design, eco-conscious practices, and curated guest experiences celebrate Kolkata's dual identity of classic elegance and modernity.
How does Taj Taal Kutir reflect the blend of Kolkata's historical elegance and modern sophistication, and what are some design elements that guests find most captivating?
Nestled in the heart of New Town, a contemporary township in Kolkata, Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata, is a stunning hotel where timeless elegance and modern luxury converge, where classic Calcutta meets nouveau Kolkata. The dominant motif at the property is its art-deco theme. Timelessly elegant, the hotel draws inspiration from the city's rich heritage and has reinvented these elements and represented them into contemporary and chic design aesthetics. Eclectic interiors, tropical touches, opulent chandeliers, abundant natural light, and an air of luxurious repose fill your senses as you traverse through pillared galleries. The balconies on either side of the azure pool have slatted wooden louvred shades, evoking images of classic mansions owned by Bengali zamindars of yore. The highlight of the property is the expansive 100 acres eco park lake, which elevates the experience by several notches.
The hotel's dining options, from the vintage-inspired Rhyddim to the scenic Lakeview Lounge, offer a mix of global and regional flavours. How do these culinary experiences cater to the tastes of modern travellers while paying homage to Kolkata's rich culinary heritage?
Modern travellers are astute, more aware and explicit about their needs and wants. They are well-travelled and educated, driven by digital and online parameters. They wish to explore new places and indulge in unique experiences, along with luxury and unmatched hospitality. We at The Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata, thrive on curating personalised culinary experiences for our discerning guests. Oftentimes, guests are on an indulgence spree yet conscious of their food choices. Our talented chefs make an effort to comprehend the diverse taste palates and requisites of these modern travellers and create a memorable meal experience in sync with their contemporary choices and likings. Classic Calcutta or Nouveau Kolkata both find ample representation in the culinary and service design of Taj Taal Kutir's dining spaces, including The Verandah, all-day dining, and Lakeview Lounge, both overlooking the expansive lake.
What unique offerings or services make the hotel a premier destination for hosting high-end events in Kolkata?
When it comes to hosting memorable and successful events, the choice of venue plays a pivotal role, and at Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata, we understand that well. With a wide range of spaces, we offer versatile venues with state-of-the-art facilities in an elegant setting and the expertise of our planning team. With us, one is always guaranteed a seamless get-together or celebration. We are one of the most sought-after event venues in the city with more than 56,000 sq ft of event spaces, including a majestic ballroom, an avant-garde courtyard, break-out spaces, an expansive terrace and a lush green lawn, both overlooking the Eco Park lake. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and flexible meeting spaces, this is where corporate meetings and glamorous weddings are executed with utmost detail and warmth.
Can you highlight any eco-friendly or sustainability initiatives in the hotel's infrastructure or daily operations?
Our Paathya framework encapsulates our initiatives to lead positive change with IHCL's core values of trust of all stakeholders. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are amongst the key pillars of Paathya, and we at Taj Taal Kutir, Kolkata have aligned many such initiatives in our daily operations. A few sustainable practices we have initiated are:
An in-house bottling plant for glass bottle production to be used across the hotel to discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles.
A dedicated solar plant for clean energy.
The entire hotel uses energy-efficient LEDs for illumination.
The wastewater is treated and used for our landscape gardening.
Our bathroom amenities, such as dental kit, shaving kit, comb, and key cards, are also made out of eco-friendly wooden material.
What exclusive experiences or signature offerings does the hotel provide guests looking for something beyond the traditional stay?
Guided by the fundamental principle of 'Tajness', we strive to conjure a panoply of superlative experiences that are envisioned to indulge and forge unforgettable memories. Crafting individual experiences is an art form at Taj. Our signature in-suite couple experience offers a luxurious and intimate escape, perfect for celebrating special moments or a serene getaway, with our curated dining experience at the suite balcony overlooking the pool, in-suite breakfast and a relaxing couple therapy at the J wellness​ Circle spa. Also, our bespoke Lakeview Lounge Hi Tea and single-origin hot chocolate experience overlooking the splendid lake is a must-try.
