Hotels in Kolkata

Kolkata: Colonial Grandeur on the Hooghly River

Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, sits on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, 1,500 km northeast of Mumbai. Once the seat of British India until 1911, the city retains the largest concentration of colonial-era architecture in South Asia — from the white marble Victoria Memorial (completed 1921) to the iron lattice of Howrah Bridge, which carries over 100,000 vehicles daily. The Maidan, a 400-hectare open park flanked by Fort William, anchors the city's central geography.

Where to Stay in Kolkata

Most hotels cluster in three zones. Park Street offers mid-range and business hotels within walking distance of restaurants, bookshops, and the Indian Museum (founded 1814, Asia's oldest). New Town (Rajarhat), 14 km northeast, hosts newer 4-star properties near the IT corridor and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Sudder Street, adjacent to the Maidan, draws budget travelers with guesthouses priced from ₹800 per night.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport sits 17 km north of Park Street; prepaid taxis reach the centre in 45–60 minutes.
• Transit: The Kolkata Metro (Line 1, operational since 1984 — India's first metro) connects Dakshineswar to New Garia in under 50 minutes.
• Season: October through February brings temperatures of 15–25 °C; monsoon runs June–September with heavy daily rainfall.
• Currency: Indian Rupee (INR); ATMs are widely available across Esplanade and Salt Lake.