India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (382 page)

1 JBS Haldane Ave., opposite Science City (Eastern Metropolitan Bypass), Kolkata 700 046.
033/2345-4545.
Fax 033/2345-4555.
www.starwoodhotels.com
. 238 units. $450 Executive Club double; $550 The Towers double; $650 ITC One double; $850 junior suite; $1,400 queen suite; $2,150 presidential suite. Rates include breakfast. Taxes extra. Check online for specials for stays of 2 nights or more. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
5 restaurants; bar;
lounges; nightclub; airport transfers (Rs 1,700); babysitting; chip and putt golf course; health club; Internet (complimentary); jogging track; pastry shop; Olympic-sized outdoor pool; kids pool; room service; spa; outdoor tennis courts. In room: A/C, TV, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 300/30 min., Rs 600/full day).

The Oberoi Grand
This quintessential Kolkata monument is the city’s top accommodations and one of the best hotels in India. Elegant, with regal old-world charm, its guest rooms draw ambassadors, diplomats, heads of state, and royalty (although the Hollywood party crowd heads for The Park). Deluxe suites, elegant and never too opulent, come with balconies, wooden floors, and Victorian furniture. Premier guest rooms (city or garden view) are marvelous; if you want a private balcony, book a room on the third floor. In the central courtyard, amid palms and gnarled frangipani trees, you can sip gin and tonics around the best pool in town. Or opt for the smoky ambience of the
Chowringhee bar.
Despite being cheek-by-jowl with one of the most chaotic streets, not a honk can be heard, courtesy of the old thick stone walls. The
Spa,
operating under the banner of famous Banyan Tree, is exclusively for guests and reason enough to stay here.

15 Jawaharlal Nehru Rd., Kolkata 700 013.
033/2249-2323.
Fax 033/2249-1217.
www.oberoihotels.com
. 209 units. Double: Rs 20,500 deluxe; Rs 23,500 luxury; Rs 25, 500 premier; Rs 35,000–Rs 65,000 suite; taxes extra. Premier room and suite rates include breakfast and airport transfers. Check website for online discounts. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; bar; airport transfer (Rs 2,200); babysitting; doctor-on-call; health club and spa; outdoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, DVD player, hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi (Rs 20/min., Rs 800/day.

The Park
A five-star property, this chic boutique hotel is in the best downtown location, with proximity to both the business and the entertainment hubs of the city. But the real reason many choose to stay here is the on-tap party: Like so many Park properties, this hotel has four top “after dark” destinations under one roof—a pub, a nightclub, a cocktail bar, and a poolside alfresco bar lounge (see “Kolkata After Dark,” later), providing easy access to the city’s hippest, most happening nightlife. Guest rooms are small, but they’re neat, functional, and bright, with bold color combinations and a very spacey look, specially in the Premier Luxury category. If you’re in town for a while, book a Residence Room and you get a private lounge, a slightly larger bedroom with walk-in dressing room, stylish furniture, a thick mattress on a queen-size bed, a floor butler, and a Jacuzzi in the bathroom.

17 Park St., Kolkata 700 016.
033/2249-9000.
Fax 033/2249-7343 or -4000.
www.theparkhotels.com
. 149 units. $250 deluxe double; $350 luxury double; $450 The Residence suite double; $500 Presidential suite. $25 extra bed. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
4 restaurants; pub; disco; airport transfers (free with suites at the Residence, Rs 1,450 for others); butler service; currency exchange; doctor-on-call, golf on request; health club; outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, DVD, hair dryer, Jacuzzi (Residence rooms), minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 200/hour, Rs 600/day).

Taj Bengal
Popular with businesspeople, this is a good choice if you want to stay south of the city, enjoy views of the Maidan, and dine in-house—Taj Bengal boasts some of Kolkata’s most impressive restaurants, under the aegis of the highly experienced chef Sujan Mukherjee. Besides
Sonargaon
and
The Hub,
it houses one of India’s best Chinese restaurants,
Chinoiserie
(all reviewed below). Quieter rooms face the pool, or you can ask for a room with a view of the Victoria Memorial. Club Rooms (top floor) have added space (thanks to a window alcove), personal butler service, and access to posh lounges and exclusive restaurants (with strict dress codes) where the city’s elite plot and play. The “gentlemen’s club” ambience in the residents’ lounge goes down well with a game of pool, a book from the small library, or time at the Internet bar.

34B Belvedere Rd., Alipore, Kolkata 700 027.
033/2223-3939.
Fax 033/2223-1766 or -8805.
www.tajhotels.com
. [email protected]. 229 units. Rs 19,500 deluxe double; Rs 21,000 luxury double; Rs 24,000 Taj Club; Rs 30,000 executive suite; Rs 45,000 luxury suite; Rs 80,000 presidential suite; Rs 1,000 extra bed. Rates include breakfast. Rates up to 50% lower Apr–Sept. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; bar; tea lounge; airport transfers (Rs 1,875; free with suites); concierge; currency exchange; in-house doctor; health club; pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 200/hr., Rs 600/day).

The Tollygunge Club
Far from the stereotypical hotel experience, this former home of a British Planter, and subsequently the exiled family of the late Tipoo Sultan of Mysore, has been voted one of the top 20 clubs in the world, and is the most unusual place to stay in Kolkata. Lush grounds abound with exotic bird and plant life, and even a family of hyenas which sing for the guests at twilight every day. Add to that the sporting facilities, affordable alcohol, great dining options (legendary steak kebab and chicken masala-toast) and old-world charm. Service is laid back and rooms are comfortable but not plush—opt for the suites facing the golf course, or the cottages (very large double rooms with a separate sitting area). A great oasis with quirky fellow guests but it’s a 30-minute drive from the city center and note that collared shirts for men and proper footwear are required in the more formal areas.