Hospitality Kolkata

Kolkata is sneaking out of its conventional cocoon and growing to become a bustling metropolis showcasing state-of-the-art hotels, swanky restaurants and groovy nightclubs, reports Joy Roy Choudhary

Kolkata is a moribund city’, ‘the city moves at a snail’s pace’ cry hoarse the political pundits. Surveys conducted by different business magazines cast apprehensions on the future of the city. They feel that the city, which still remains to be the ‘cradle of the intelligentsia’, has nothing more to offer and is cashing in on its past laurels. To prove whether this is so or not, a vernacular daily recently carried out a campaign asking its readers for their feedback if they too feel the same way. The readers overwhelmingly replied in the negative.

It is true that Kolkata, like any other metropolis in the world, has its share of problems. Roads clogged by long processions and demonstrators, unwilling taxi drivers, potholed roads, overcrowded buses and ‘jaywalkers’ flouting traffic norms at the smallest pretext. It is again true that here much precious time is lost in taking important administrative decisions. These can be reasons enough to ‘put off’ people visiting the city from anywhere in the world. In short, cities need to be much more friendly and cannot afford to be parochial if they are to grow.

However, notwithstanding these inadequacies, the city has changed and changed for the good. In the last couple of years, the city has gone through a ‘qualitative’ transition. A person who lands up in the city for a pleasure trip with his family, or for a business deal, for an interview or, for medicare finds the place much more ‘clean’, ‘homely’ and ‘hospitable’.

World-class hotels with luxury rooms and banqueting facilities, swanky shopping malls, state-of-the-art flyovers, skyscrapers housing commercial establishments, have changed the ‘skyline’ of the city. This has been made possible due to the rapid strides Kolkata has made in the industrial arena, especially in the fields of information technology (IT) and electronics. Several agencies like McKinsey, GARTNER, and NASSCOM have praised the efforts of the state administration in bringing about this change.

A senior representative of McKinsey & Co, feels “Often, perception about the city becomes reality. While it is partly due to historic reasons, lack of information on the state and the infrastructure it offers adds to this negative image.”

He feels that the city has great potential to lure people from different parts of the globe be it for a leisure trip or for cracking a business deal. The facilities have improved and the room capacity of luxury hotels has doubled after the opening of two new hotel properties, the Hyatt Regency and the ITC Sonar Bangla Sheraton Hotel & Towers in the last one year.

The newly upgraded Netaji Subhas International Airport operates international flights to different destinations apart from providing air-connectivity with almost all the domestic locations, two important railheads at Howrah and Sealdah, modern health care facilities, uninterrupted power and water supply, largest number of clubs in the country be it rowing, racquets or swimming and four international-class golf courses, puts Kolkata on an international platform.

Moreover, the city houses the headquarters of three important public sector banks, United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Allahabad Bank and several other important financial institutions and companies, like the Tata Group and the ITC Limited, the leading conglomerate.

And with more than 160 IT companies operating from the city, the importance of Kolkata cannot be played down. The industrial resurgence the state has been witnessing over the years has allured several domestic and international players to set up `shop’ in Kolkata. Besides, several associations have preferred Kolkata to other metros to hold their annual national meets/conferences in city hotels. Several such conferences are lined up for this year. Because apart from the quality of rooms, the new and existing hotels provide state-of-the-art conferencing facilities.

Appropriate for business, these hotels are also highly acclaimed for F&B and nightlife. Most of the hotels are located in up-market locales such as Park Street, Little Russel Street, AJC Bose Road, Sudder Street and Belvedere Road in the central business district of the city. The two newest entrants have opted for the unconventional sylvan surroundings of the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass on the outer fringes of the city.

This shows that Kolkata is slowly coming out from its leftist cocoon and fast coming to terms with a market-driven economy. It is emerging as one of the most preferred business hubs of the country following an up-turn in its business fortunes. Further, its strategic position as the gateway to the North-Eastern states and to the South-East Asian countries has shown an increase in transit leisure and business visitors. This also becomes evident by the fact that most international hotel chains have evinced great haste in setting up their properties in the city. Hyatt, Welcomgroup, Sarovar Park Plaza are already operating three different properties in the city.

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 240 crore opposite the Science City on EM Bypass, the ITC Sonar Bangla Sheraton Hotel & Towers is arguably the first “Business Resort Hotel” in the country. A resort in the urban context, one that has the efficiency of a business hotel and yet exudes the laid back feel of a resort.

Built on the lines of a quintessential ‘bagaanbari’ (farmhouse owned by Bengali ‘babus’), the décor of the hotel, the services that it provides and the facilities that it offers, compare with the best in the world. At the same time, the design and the architecture strive to preserve and highlight the rich art and culture of eastern India.

As the ideal business resort for today’s health-conscious executive, the hotel has a jogging track, a health club, tennis courts and a swimming pool with an exclusive poolside health café. The hotel keeps up ITC’s reputation for its premium ethnic cuisine. The culinary fare includes the choicest receipes from ‘Dum Pukht’ exemplifying the specialised cooking of the Nawabs of Oudh, ‘Peshawari’ celebrating the cuisine of the erstwhile Northwest frontier provinces, ‘Dublin’, ‘Westview’, ‘Pan Asia’ and the ‘Eden Pavilion’.

Another debutant in the hospitality skyline of Kolkata is Hyatt Regency on the EM Bypass. The hotel’s building structure, designed to emphasise its modernity and spaciousness, is further enhanced by the use of North Indian sandstone which adds a soft, pearly halo to the building. Beautifully landscaped gardens add to the sprawling, resort-like ambience of the hotel.

With its 235 generously sized guestrooms including a presidential suite, two deluxe suites, two business suites and six executive suites it makes a great place to stay. In addition, the hotel has converted three floors into the exclusive Regency Club - Hyatt’s “hotel within a hotel” which offers additional privileges and facilities for the executive traveller.

The hotel brings to Kolkata its international cuisine expertise. Guchhi, the hotel’s signature restaurant allows guests to interact with the chefs through its unique open kitchen concept. Waterside Café, an all day dining restaurant, specialises in innovative, European bistro style cuisine and Indian specialties. All the restaurants at Hyatt Regency Kolkata adopt home-style cooking using fresh ingredients and unique presentations based on the ‘open-kitchen’ format.

The other deluxe hotels like the Taj Bengal, the Oberoi Grand and the Park too are adding new features to woo the corporate travellers who comprise a big chunk of their clientele. Taj Bengal and The Oberoi Grand have recently introduced wireless broadband Internet connectivity for their corporate clientele. Termed, Wi-Fi or wireless fidelity, the revolutionary broadband solution, helps guests with laptops, notebook PCs or tablet PCs to access high speed Internet from their laptop from any part of the hotel, without having to connect to a phone jack.

Be it the coffee shop, the poolside or the room, this new system allows the guest the convenience from moving room to room without losing the connection to the Internet. ‘The Residence’ at The Park, the all suite designer deluxe floor with seven deluxe rooms and 17 suites provides international facilities to the corporate travellers with a traditional touch.

Designed by Mumbai-based interior designer Prakash Mankar, the décor boasts of kantha, terracotta, traditional paintings, all promoting the region.

A thoughtfully positioned writing table in the sitting area is well equipped with green stationery and a complete business kit. It has a dedicated fax that aids in business dealings. A personal computer is provided on request so that business can be conducted in privacy. The well-stocked minibar, personal TV, VCD and stereo system soothes the strains of a busy day. The individual digital safe guarantees total security of all valuables. Inside the four-feature bathroom, the jacuzzi offers complete relaxation in the privacy of the room along with herbal toiletries and a personal butler is always in attendance.

But the best of the draw is the 24-room ‘The Colony’ on the eighth floor of Hotel Hindusthan International (HHI) totally dedicated to the business traveller. The rooms exquisitely designed by master interior designers provide the guests with personal fax machines, personal computers, laptop connectivity, DVD, personalised stationery, personalised butler service, express check-in and check out facilities, an exclusive bar and dining area for the guests and even a dedicated elevator for the eighth floor.

At the Winning Streak Sports Bar of HHI, the guests are given the ‘passport’ to test their adrenaline amidst some great music and spirits. ‘The Verve’- the newly renovated health club and gym of the hotel is a one-stop shop for body fitness. The state-of-the-art fitness equipment at The Verve ranges from multi-gym, walker and stepper to cycling and rowing machines.

Apart from the usual multi-gym equipment, steam and sauna facilities, a brand new oxyzone parlour is another attractive feature of The Verve, offering refreshing aroma baths and a mouthful of pure oxygen, a welcome relief for the stressed out soul. The hotel authorities have engaged a physician who will check the guest thoroughly and then in agreement with the trainer decide on the fitness regime to be prescribed.

The ambience and the location of The Kenilworth keep the business going for this 105-room hotel. The hotel situated off Shakespeare Sarani is right in the heart of the ‘business’ and ‘entertainment’ district of the city.

‘The Premier Club’ is a different experience altogether. Guests can avail of all facilities such as Internet, fax and other communication facilities. Keeping in mind, the amount a business traveller needs to travel, the hotel authorities have for the first time introduced low calorie, low fat and high energy meals, which are even served in the guests’ rooms.

‘The Big Ben’ reminds us of the British legacy. The Kenilworth has done just that by recreating that colonial legacy at The Big Ben, the exclusive English style pub of the hotel. The ambience and décor of The Big Ben is just right to unwind over a couple of drinks.

Peerless Inn, another leading hotel promoted by the Peerless General Finance Company Limited, the largest NBFC of the country boasts of some of the best F&B outlets in the city such as Aaheli serving authentic Bengali cuisine, Nishidin - the 24-hour coffee shop, Bichitra - the multi-cuisine restaurant showcasing Indian, Chinese, Italian and Lahari specialties and also has a well-stocked bar serving an array of spirits and liquors from across the globe.

It has recently tied up with Sarovar Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, which has a countrywide network of more than 25 hotels. The hotel is being positioned to offer business friendly accommodation to guests. The new amenities include a minibar, workstation, business journals and magazines, hi-speed Internet connectivity and secretarial services. Express check-in and check out facilities are offered to all guests while guests staying in deluxe rooms and suites are being offered in-room check-in facility. One floor has been earmarked as ladies’ floor to facilitate the stay of single women executives.

The hotel offers special rates and facilities to facilitate long staying business guests to enjoy weekends in and around Kolkata.

The Golden Park - the 80-room ‘boutique’ hotel situated at Ho Chi Minh Sarani off Jawaharlal Nehru Road or Chowringhee is in the city centre. The American consulate and the British Deputy High Commissioner’s office are its immediate neighbours.

“The property is positioned as a ‘value hotel’ in today’s world of cost-cutting, we are catering to the corporate houses at a very competitive price with all the facilities of a star hotel. Our USP, apart from the pricing, is our food and the most happening nightclub in town- The London Pub,”said Kanishka Mazumdar, general manager, Golden Park hotel.

The most happening nightspot of the city, London Pub captivates the audience not only with their latest numbers but also the décor, ambience and the sound-system of the pub taking you straight to ‘cloud nine’.

The Astor Hotel housed in a 98-year old ‘heritage’ building is an important landmark of the city. The recently renovated red brick and white trim Victorian building is a landmark of the city.

The rooms, along with the deluxe suites, are equipped with the all the latest facilities including direct dialing facilities, minibars, personal computerised mini-safes etc. The Astor is also popular for its mouth-watering kebabs and tandoori cuisine.

Serai, the 24-hour coffee shop offers a variety of Indian, Chinese, Tandoori and Continental cuisine. Cloud ‘9’, the newly opened ‘Restobar’ is the first of its kind in the city, claim the hotel authorities. The elegantly designed ‘Restobar’ offers cuisine from different parts of the globe. The DJs in attendance keep the crowd enthralled with their lively performances and electrifying music. Check out, Kebab-E-Que and Rendezvous the other F&B outlets of the hotel.

Lytton Hotel, another favourite among corporates, started its journey in the year 1965. From an old British guesthouse to a premium hotel, it has come a long way. The hotel was gradually positioned as a business hotel by the Punwanis. Their vision has made it one of the best if not the best business class hotel.

The location is a big advantage for the hotel. It is located in the heart of the business hub of Kolkata and if someone wants to blend business with entertainment Lytton has plenty within the close vicinity of the hotel. It also has very competitive tariffs which would be interesting for a business traveller.

I hope that after going through this, you wouldn’t think there’s no more to Kolkata than your business. The erstwhile portrait of Kolkata, as being a dull city that sleeps by 10 pm has metamorphosed into a bustling metropolis that parties until wee hours of the morning. It’s no longer the Kolkata it once was. Old guards are making room for the new icons to take over. The city, which used to shop at the Hogg’s Market, is now making a beeline for 22 Camac Street or The Forum the latest swanky shopping malls of the city. The couple who used to celebrate their marriage anniversary at Bar-B-Q over a quiet dinner now prefers to dance it out in one of the popular city night clubs - Tantra or the London Pub. The people of the city especially the mid-30s segment is slowly coming out from its conservative mind frame and keeping up with the contemporary fast-paced lifestyle.

Earlier, Park Street, the ‘fashion street of the city’ used to be the ‘fulcrum’ of all entertainment activities and offered several shopping and dining options but now things have spread all across the city.

New shopping malls that have come up at 22 Camac Street and The Forum on Elgin Road give the buyers a wider choice to choose from. Many specialty and multi-cuisine restaurants and eating joints have come up in south Kolkata. Pepper Chino, Mainland China, Marco Polo, Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Mirch Masala, China Bowl, Southern Aminia, are some of the notable ones.

The Salt Lake-Kankurgachi-Ultadanga area is also “hogging” the limelight. The most popular restaurants include Honey-Da Dhaba, Hong Kong, Dilli Darbar, Charnock’s, Mishra’s and eating joints at Ultadanga. Many trendy showrooms of branded apparel manufacturers, white-good companies, gem & jewellery manufacturers have come up along the CIT Road in Kankurgachi area.

People visiting the city make it a point to visit the ‘China Town’ in Tiljala-Topsia area to savour the authentic Chinese cuisine. There are nearly 100 small and big restaurants selling authentic Chinese food.

The nightlife scene in the city has also changed. Earlier, nightlife meant going out for a quiet dinner or munching popcorns while enjoying a night-show movie. But now long queues are seen in front of the popular nightclubs of the city during weekends. Incognito, Someplace Else, Winning Streak, The Big Ben, Tantra and London Pub, the two most talked about nightclubs of the city witness a flurry of activities.

Besides, these the city offers a host of entertainment and amusement facilities. ‘Swabhumi’-the heritage park, Nicco Park-the amusement park and ‘Aquatica’-the water theme park are the latest additions. The Millennium Park on the banks of river Hooghly is an ideal place ‘to propose to your girlfriend’. The Nicco Super Bowl, the bowling alley adjacent to the Nicco Park is another major attraction of the city. The Science City on the eastern fringes of the city is one of the best in the country.

And while all this activity brings Kolkata to life, it is the indomitable spirit of the people that really makes the city tick. In fact, that is at the crux of this entire ‘turnaround’ of the city.