Many moons ago I was travelling with my grandfather one day and we we were going past The Great Eastern Hotel in Kolkata and I remember how nostalgic he suddenly became. The rest of the journey, I was regaled with stories of that great hotel which had Mark Twain as one of its visitors nearly a hundred years back. That day, the hotel stood desolate and crumbling. A mere shadow of what it once was and I remember my grandfather saying “If only someone would take notice of this grand building and restore it to its former glory”. In 2014, when The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel opened its doors, I’m sure up in the heavens, he was a very happy man.
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata is a heritage landmark that has witnessed the evolving history of India, particularly of Bengal. From its early days as a thriving confectionary shop and meeting place for the East India Company’s officers in the late 1830’s, this five-star hotel is a celebration of the iconic legacy of the Raj. Referred to as the “Jewel of the East” and the “Best Hotel East of the Suez” by esteemed guest Mark Twain, it has been one of the top hotels in Kolkata for nearly 165 years.
After a meticulous seven-year refurbishment, the hotel showcases a distinctive blend of Victorian, Edwardian and Contemporary architecture and décor. The original Heritage Block radiates the charm of the British Colonial Era, while the Modern Block incorporates a contemporary look and feel, enhanced with authentic Bengali artworks, crafts and design elements.
To walk around the hotel is like taking a walk down memory lane. I started off my tour from the Main Lobby of the hotel which is in the new block and here, one can see the century old grand piano restored to its former glory. Manufactured by MF Rachal n Company, Germany, it was the pride of Maxim’s, Great Eastern’s legendary bar. I looked at it and wondered what stories it could tell if only it could speak. From the lobby, we moved on to take a look at Alfresco, the open restaurant and the Tea Lounge. The corridors we took while moving from one block of the hotel to another were lined with furniture and artifacts of the original hotel. In fact, everywhere, even in the rooms, the Lalit Group has taken great care to ensure a seamless amalgamation of the old and the new.
The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel is a massive building and at every nook and corner, you will find a piece of history. Be it a dough maker from the old Bakery, bread cans, various sculptures, telephones, furniture etc. The Legacy Lounge is where you can see old wine goblets, silver utensils from the old kitchen, Buddha and other statues and old-fashioned coal irons converted into flower beds.
The Atrium lobby with its beautiful gazebos and the giant spiral staircase which was used by the cleaners because they were not allowed into the main hotel is beautiful. Above the gazebos hang giant bird cage like fixtures. No one knows what they were used for but the guess is that they were props for cabaret shows at Maxim’s.
Standing tall in the balcony is a an eight feet concrete cup, a replica of the trophy that Mr A.L Bilimoria, the then Chairman of the Great Eastern Hotel received from Queen Elizabeth II, after his horse won a race in 1961.
My favorite part of the hotel has to be The Bakery, housed in the Heritage Block II. The more than a century old oven manufactured in England is the focal point of the bakery. Though not functional anymore, parts of the oven have been preserved and adorn the interiors. I loved that one wall of the bakery has been left as it was, a tribute to the old bakery of The Great Eastern. I must also add that not only the decor but the food, courtesy Chef Madhumita Mohanta is also top notch. In fact, The Lalit Great Eastern’s Bakery is probably the best in Kolkata right now.
The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel is massive and it is difficult to include every single detail of The Heritage Walk in a single post. I would really recommend that you experience the walk yourself. Believe me, it will be something to cherish. Here are the details.
1) Heritage Walk with Hi- Tea: Rs. 550 plus tax per person
Inclusions-
- A Heritage Walk of the Hotel
- Great Eastern Hi-Tea at Tea Lounge
2) Heritage Walk with Hi- Tea: Rs. 750 plus tax Per Person
Inclusions-
- A Heritage Walk of the Hotel
- Great Eastern Hi-Tea at Gazebo
3) Heritage Walk with Wine and Cheese/Snacks : Rs. 1250 plus tax per person
Inclusions-
- A Heritage Walk of the Hotel
- Wine served at Wilson’s – The Pub