Bari Kothi
Located just four hours from Kolkata, Bari Kothi is situated by the River Ganges. It was restored with help from Canadian restoration specialist and architect, Dr. Samar Chandra. Functioning on the principles of UN Sustainable development Goals and Adaptive Reuse, Bari Kothi is completely taken care of by the rural community of Azimganj. The Royal Heritage Suites open to Sheesh Mahal views, and are furnished with 250-year old antique furniture, high ceilings and rich fabrics. The Maharaja Suite exude an aura of the old world charm with high-wood beamed ceilings, antiques, intricately carved archways and traditional furniture. The magnificent Jain temples and havelis like Nowlakha Kothi, Rajbari, Singhi Kothi, and Marble Palace narrate the opulence and glory of a forgotten era. You can take a boat ride at sunset on the Ganges or go on an organic farm visit. A must-have experience here is the High Tea, which has their own Sheherwali touch to it.
More info here.
Address 67R3HFV, Jainpatty, Azimganj, West Bengal 742122
Calcutta Bungalow
This historic B&B in North Kolkata draws inspiration for its style from the area's extensive history. Its six rooms display the trades and professions of previous neighbourhoods. The traditional leather conductor bags of Kolkata are displayed on the walls of the Mochipara room, which is devoted to cobblers. A patchwork of vibrant jatra posters can be found in Jatrapara, the chamber honouring local theatre talent. The Darzipara area, devoted to dressmakers and tailors, features a vintage sewing machine that has been transformed into a table. The Patuapara room, the sole one on the ground floor, features patuas' folk art on its walls. Boipara's shelves of used books are a tribute to College Street.
More info here.
Address 5, Radha Kanta Jew St, Fariapukur, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700004
The Elgin Fairlawn
If you want to soak in genteel colonial charm, this should be your pitstop. 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&rsquos all antiques and soft furnishings. This place was earlier run by eccentric memsahib Violet Smith and had housed every kind of celebrity from Nobel laureate Gunter Grass and musician Sting to playwright Tom Steppard and actor Patrick Swayze. The hotel is now owned by the Elgin Hotels & Resorts group.
More info here.
Address 13A, Sudder St, Fire Brigade Head Quarter, Esplanade, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
The Denmark Tavern
Also on the Hooghly but to the north of Kolkata, it is located at one end of the historic town of Srirampur (Serampore). The town reflects one of the little-known facts of history &ndash that the English East India Company was not the only one to set up a trading post and a colony by the river in Bengal. Renovated and restored, the Denmark Tavern is a more than 230-years-old building, which did house a popular tavern once. Now converted into a heritage hotel and café, they have a limited number of rooms. From the first floor verandah, you can have an excellent view of the river, the life on the stepped ghats and the ferry boats passing by. At night, when the activities by the river ceases, you may go for a short stroll by the bank. Or watch the twinkling above and the dark river flowing beneath, with the breeze whispering distant tales in your ears. Serampore is 30km from Kolkata by road.
More info here.
Address Serampore Police Line, N.N Roy Street , LP 39/2/1, Serampore, India, West Bengal
Rashbari Heritage Garden House
Less than an hour&rsquos drive from Howrah Railway Station, the Rashbari Garden House is a restored heritage building within a temple complex, which sprawls right on the bank of the Ganga. The garden house stands separate from the main temple complex and backs into a sprawling lawn that overlooks the river and one of the busiest ferry routes between Kolkata and Howrah. Belonging to the elite Dawn family of north Kolkata, the late 19th century complex takes its name from the Raas festival of Krishna which is still celebrated here. The nine-pinnacle Radharaman Temple, the two rows of Shiva Temples, the Clock Tower and other structures reflect Bengal temple art and an influence of Indo-European architecture. Adjoining the complex is the famous Belur Math of the Ramakrishna Order and Dakshineswar Kali Temple is just a boat ride away.
More info here.
Address Rashbari, Belur, Bally, Howrah, West Bengal 711201
