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.