Hyatt Regency Kolkata

Joy Roy Choudhury checks out Hyatt Regency Kolkata

Driving into the city from the international airport through the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, two towering structures arrest your attention, the Salt Lake Stadium and Hyatt Regency hotel next to it. Hyatt Regency Kolkata is the first five star deluxe hotel to open in the city after more than a decade. Strategically located, the hotel with its sophisticated ambience and personalised and efficient service has carved a niche for new hospitality concepts like 'open kitchen' and rejuvenating body and mind spa.

Conceived by architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of London, the interiors have been designed by Bilkey Llinas Design of West Palm Beach, Florida. The hotel's graceful atrium-style structure is designed to emphasise its contemporary, spacious, and bright personality which is further enhanced by the use of North Indian Shivpuri sandstone adding a soft, pearly halo to the building. The facade is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens giving it a resort kind of feel.

The hotel comprises 235 guestrooms including a Regency Presidential Suite, two Regency Diplomatic Suites, two Regency Executive Suites, six Regency Suite King and two Regency Duplex Suites. In addition, the Hotel's top three floors form the exclusive Regency Club - Hyatt's ‘hotel within a hotel’ which offers additional privileges and facilities for the executive traveller. These include a private Regency Club Lounge with dedicated concierge, express check in and check out, airport transfers, continental breakfast, all day tea and coffee service, and evening cocktails with canapés. A private boardroom is also available on a complimentary basis for Regency Club guests.

The guestrooms feature cutting-edge technology with functional workspaces, high-speed broadband Internet connections, large in-room safes, which can accommodate laptops and dual-line telephones. Rich wooden floors, a palette of muted colours and genuine down-filled duvets indulge the senses. The extraordinarily large and luxurious step-down bathrooms in Italian Valentino marble are designed with an unusual, single piece Italian glass vanity counter; special lighting and an invigorating rain shower.

The hotel has been known for introducing international cuisine expertise to the city. 'La Cucina', the Italian Kitchen and Bar, is a sophisticated dining venue, with a bar lounge, private dining room and a chef's table. Guchhi, the hotel's signature North Indian restaurant sports an open kitchen concept and serves the most delectable kebabs, biryanis and curries. Waterside Café, the 24- hour coffee shop specialises in innovative European bistro style cuisine and Indian specialities. To unwind with your favourite drink one can choose either The Bar on the lobby level or the PoolBar, both well stocked with a wide selection of wines, cognacs and other spirits. Club Prana, is the holistic spa with facilities like the sauna, jacuzzis, steam rooms, chill pools, an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, squash court and a wide selection of treatments and therapies including traditional ayurvedic massages.