When visiting the City of Joy for the Durga Puja celebrations, stay somewhere close to the Hooghly river. The river, which flows west of Kolkata, played an important part in shaping contemporary Indian history, trade, and commerce. Several ghats and jetties are dotted along the riverbank. Take a walk along the bank in the early morning and watch the city awaken. From floating hotels to restored heritage mansions, here are a few great options for stays along the river.
Polo Floatel
This floating hotel lies docked on the Hooghly River, off Strand Road. The Polo Floatel is an upscale full-service hotel, including an all-day multi-cuisine restaurant, The Bridge - Bistro Bar. The reception done up in marine blue and with lots of shipping paraphernalia leads to a jetty that connects with the floating hotel. Tucked between the landmark Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) and the Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu), the hotel offers a panoramic view of the Hooghly River and the opposite banks.
The luxuriously appointed cabins are divided into Strand View Cabins, River View Cabins, River View Suite with Balcony, Strand View Suite with Balcony, Strand View Heritage Suite with Deck, and River View Heritage Suite with Deck. The cabins feature eclectic elements with specially sourced maps and souvenirs reflecting the old Calcutta of the erstwhile colonial period. Rooms come with features such as wardrobes, television, wi-fi access, in-room dining, etc. Read more about it here. You can check their website and book here.
Address: 9, Jetty, 10, Strand Rd, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
The Denmark Tavern
A fragment of the history of the town of Serampore in Hooghly district, the lovingly-reconstructed Denmark Tavern is visible from the Hooghly river flowing past, is thrown open to the public. It has been renovated and restored, and is a more than 230-year-old structure that originally housed a popular pub. They are now a heritage hotel and café with a restricted number of rooms. The first-floor porch provides a magnificent view of the river, life on the tiered ghats, and ferry boats passing by. For more info, check out their website here.
Address: Serampore Police Line, N.N Roy Street , LP 39/2/1, Serampore, India, West Bengal
Nihar On the Ganges
Nihar On the Ganges is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This century-old heritage mansion, nestled on the banks of the river, offers a remarkable blend of history, elegance, and solitude. The location was once the home of Roy Bahadur Radhakanta Deb, a notable Bengali scholar and social reformer. With beautiful decor and modern conveniences, the spacious rooms and suites radiate the elegance of a bygone period. They feature a rooftop travel cafe with a view of the river where you may enjoy a cup of coffee or tea or a scrumptious meal. The Sunset Travel Cafe is a one-of-a-kind institution that serves meals as well as travel menus. The cafe is open from 4 to 7 pm. More about them here.
Calcutta Bungalow
This historic B&B in North Kolkata is located 6km away from the Hooghly river and the ghats. It draws inspiration for its style from the area's extensive history. Its six rooms display the trades and professions of previous neighbourhoods. The traditional leather conductor bags of Kolkata are displayed on the walls of the Mochipara room, which is devoted to cobblers. A patchwork of vibrant jatra posters can be found in Jatrapara, the chamber honouring local theatre talent. The Darzipara area, devoted to dressmakers and tailors, features a vintage sewing machine that has been transformed into a table. The Patuapara room, the sole one on the ground floor, features patuas' folk art on its walls. Boipara's shelves of used books are a tribute to College Street. More info here.
Address: 5, Radha Kanta Jew St, Fariapukur, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700004