Best hotels and hostels in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

A painstakingly yet meticulously executed restoration project has seen this once-dilapidated building come alive as the city's most stylish B&B. The charming rooms (full marks for interior decor) are endowed with diverse motifs typical to Kolkata's architecture, such as marble floor tiles engraved with family names, or found objects repurposed into fittings, like lampshades made of giant loudspeaker cones.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The 1840 Great Eastern Hotel was once one of India's finest hotels. It lay derelict for years, and the original west-facing facade still remains a work in progress. Behind that, however, is an entirely new and sleek business hotel. Rooms are spacious and modernist, with very comfortable superking beds and stylish black-pebble surround showers. Enter via Waterloo St.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Saluting guards usher you out of the chaos of Chowringhee Rd and into a regal oasis of genteel calm that deserves every point of its five stars. Immaculate accommodation exudes timeless class, the swimming pool is ringed with five-storey palms, and proactive staff anticipate your every need. Remarkably comfortable rooms come with a five-choice pillow menu and soothing pool views.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The pleasingly bright, fully equipped rooms in this classy Kolkata address have some of the city's most comfortable beds. The deep lobby of marble, dark wood and chandeliers contrasts successfully with a more contemporary cafe that spills out onto an attractive quadrangle of lawn. The Irish-style in-house pub named Big Ben attracts the city's beautiful people in the evenings.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Seven perfectly pitched rooms at this stylish address are named after colours, but they also take photographic subthemes – such as Bengali cinema in 'Charcoal', Kumartuli goddesses in 'Vermilion' and Kolkata's architectural heritage in 'Ivory'. Rooms are on two storeys above a superb little restaurant in a recently restored 1904 townhouse, which includes a charming roof garden drooping with bougainvillea.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Swish Mariott ups the ante in Kolkata's luxury-accommodation segment with its glitzy interiors, elegant and spacious rooms, a train of creature comforts and amenities (including one of the best infinity pools in India) as well as a location pleasantly distanced from the urban chaos and overlooking the expansive greens of eastern Kolkata.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Preening itself above a palm-slope entry drive, this impressive luxury hotel uses vast windows to great effect in its inviting open-plan restaurants, and has guest rooms with inspired marble bathrooms. Its out-of-the-city location is a bonus for people who wish to splurge for a couple of days in its peaceful environs before flying out – the airport is 30 minutes away.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

A top central choice for hip, upmarket accommodation. Modern rooms are snug and feature snazzy decor, while hidden to the rear of the 1st floor is a trio of classy restaurants and a passage past waterfall foliage to Aqua, one of India's coolest poolside bars. Curiously, the hotel's main entrance is through Street, a cafe-deli.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Artful evening floodlighting brings out the best of the Astor’s solid 1905 architecture, while inside walls are lavished with B&W photos of old Kolkata. A creative palette of chocolate, beige and iridescent butterfly blue brings to life beautifully furnished rooms. Some suites include a four-poster bed. Sizes and shapes vary. There's no lift, however.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

This plush and stylish edition of the Swissotel chain is the closest luxury address to the airport – you're barely a 10-minute drive away. Rooms are snugly appointed and have gigantic windows overlooking green expanses, while the pool is attractive for chilling in the evenings. The hotel is contiguous to an upmarket shopping mall.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The elegant Raj-era Fairlawn bungalow dates back to 1783, and the charmingly mothballed hotel that ran here since 1936 has recently been taken over by a luxury hotel group. Renovation is still in progress, and involves retaining all its antiquities and marrying them with requisite touches of modern creature comforts. The tropical greenery fronting the building adds to the appeal.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

This characterful 1890 mansion has seen far better days but retains elements of original tile work and Italian chequerboard marble flooring. The inner courtyard is an unexpected oasis of birdsong and the brilliantly antiquated reception has featured in several Indian movies. The best rooms are the upstairs doubles and the tiny, ultracheap box singles.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

You don’t have to be a woman to get a room in this well-kept, imposing but basic 1925 building. Old high-ceilinged rooms have slatted green doors opening onto a wide arched corridor, whose other open side faces a central tennis court. Large, sparse sitting rooms have a sense of times gone by, without the slightest hint of luxury.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

This smart and well-maintained hotel is by far the best midrange choice for air travellers overnighting in Kolkata on short transit itineraries. It's located just outside the airport complex and can organise pickups and drop-offs for guests upon prior request. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the multicuisine restaurant in the lobby remains open round the clock.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Just 3km from the airport, this stylish boutique hotel is a good choice if you want to explore the less-popular but emerging eastern districts of Kolkata, such as New Town and Salt Lake. Well-appointed rooms sport smart decor and offer all the usual business-hotel creature comforts, good for staying a couple of nights.

Top ChoiceLodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

The Sunflower is what all budget hotels in Kolkata should strive to be. It's housed in a grand 1865 residential building – take the vintage lift to the top then climb one floor to check in. Rooms can be slightly spartan but they’re assiduously cleaned, with high ceilings. Pleasant communal spaces are available, and the rooftop garden at dusk is delightful.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Among the best Kolkata apartment-guesthouses to have made its name on the B&B circuit, Central lives up to all its promises. The four rooms are huge and comfortable, with a large shared lounge and communal kitchen. There's fast wi-fi, a basic but sumptuous breakfast, a basket of complimentary snacks, and ever-obliging (if usually invisible) hosts.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Celesta is the suavest of over a dozen hotels in the Raghunathpur area that target travellers in transit (the airport is 15 minutes away by taxi). It makes a style statement with big plate-glass lobby walls and an upper exterior looking like a Mondrian painting. Luxurious beds are piled with pillows in art deco rooms with rain showers.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

In the suave designer lobby of this slick hotel, the receptionist seems to float in luminous marble. Compact well-maintained rooms in beige and brown tones have comfy thick mattresses with satin sashes and pale polished-stone bathrooms. Suites have small balconies and there's a four-table 'garden' behind the kitchen windows. Creature comforts such as kettle, fridge and hairdryer are provided.

Lodging in Kolkata (Calcutta)

A thorough redecoration gives an attractive old-Kolkata 'heritage' ambience to the Lindsay's guest rooms and corridors, belying the 1970s architecture of the tower where they lie. Some rooms overlook the atmospheric New Market area. Walk-in rates can be lower, but thanks to its unbeatable location and great in-house terrace bar-restaurant, rooms are hard to find without prior bookings.