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As you drive down Belvedere Road in Kolkata, passing the National Library and moving towards the Race Course, you can see the elegant structure of Taj Bengal. This iconic Kolkata hotel, which celebrates its 35th anniversary in October, does not tower above the landscape; its height has been deliberately kept at five floors to stay clear of the paths of migratory birds flying to the nearby Alipore Zoo. Many of these birds nest in the Hotel's trees and are tended by security guards when injured.
Taj Bengal famously took five years to build and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu, on October 10, 1989. Since its opening, Taj Bengal has hosted distinguished guests, including Nobel and Booker Prize winners, heads of state, and film and sports celebrities. Notable visitors include Indra Nooyi, Jeffrey Archer, Jhumpa Lahiri, Mira Nair, and Shah Rukh Khan. Hillary Clinton visited Calcutta twice—once when Mother Teresa passed away and once in 2012—and stayed at Taj Bengal both times. "Taj Bengal has a remarkable legacy. The Hotel was IHCL's first footprint in the East, and there have been many firsts with the Hotel ever since it opened its doors," said Arnab Chatterjee, General Manager, Taj Bengal.
The Art Of The Matter
The legendary establishment, designed by the renowned American architect Bob Fox, is influenced by the city's rich art, culture, and heritage.
"The Hotel's architecture is a fusion of styles; a unique blend of colonial and modern. The building's façade, intricate design with planter beds for each room, its grand entrance, and stunning Atrium Lobby are all testament to the unique luxury feel which the Hotel has offered for the past 35 years," said Chatterjee.
Step inside, and you will come across terracotta statues in the Promenade Lounge, crafted by sculptor-painter Shyamal Roy over five years. They serve as a tribute to this incredible art form of Bengal and emphasise the Hotel's deep connection to the city's rich cultural heritage. The art and culture thread is also evident in the works of prominent Bengali artists, such as Sakti Burman, Paritosh Sen, and Asit Haldar, displayed across the Hotel. The Hotel puts a strong emphasis on design, and various areas have undergone design transformations. For example, Cal27, the all-day diner at Taj Bengal, named after the neighbourhood's postal code, 700027, was a cafe called The Esplanade in its 1989 avatar. Later, it was transformed into a trattoria. In 2017, a French designer oversaw the renovation, converting it into Cal27 and drawing inspiration from iconic Kolkata landmarks such as the Marble Palace, Sovabazar Rajbari, and Victoria Memorial. The chequered floor and the louvre windows pay homage to old Kolkata homes.
Taj Bengal's dining establishments are famous and have garnered a loyal following over the years. Several celebrities from Delhi and Mumbai make it a point to dine at Chinoiserie to savour flavours from China's Sichuan and Canton regions. Artist Ganesh Pyne had a favourite corner in the Promenade Lounge, where he would often come and have tea with his wife. Vidya Balan always made it a point to have her favourite dish, palong shaker chorchori, in Sonargaon.
"The hotel's legacy of its F&B offerings has been unparalleled in the past 35 years and evolved with time," said Chatterjee.
As the iconic Hotel completes 35 years this October, there are plans to upgrade the Hotel. "This year, we are upgrading our Club Lounge facility along with our Private Club–The Chambers," said Chatterjee. "Our members will now have the best facilities in The Chambers for a meeting space, lounge, bar and restaurant. Our guests from the Club and Suites will also have access to a renovated Club Lounge with a renewed breakfast and dining experience. We will soon upgrade our spa and salon, which is part of the J Wellness experience and has opened in other key hotels in Mumbai and Delhi."
The Hotel will soon start a new cocktail bar menu at Junction and a new look and experiential menu at The Grill by the Pool.
Taj Bengal's Paathya brings together a bouquet of initiatives to forge a journey focused on environmental stewardship, social responsibility, preserving heritage, and more.
"The hotel has embarked on a decarbonisation journey by reducing its carbon impact and investing in renewable energy production," said Chatterjee. Collaborating with Tata Power, they have provided Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Hotel. They have stopped using fossil fuel in laundry since August 2024, and all machines are now electrically operated.
"We have been using the Paathya water through our in-house bottling plant and have reduced usage of plastic bottles in the guest rooms, restaurants, and banquet venues. The Hotel is also actively involved in upholding the IHCL's commitment to its project with UNESCO on Intangible Cultural Heritage through its support of Durga Puja and the pattachitra art form of West Bengal."
Address: 34-B, Belvedere Rd, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027
Contact: +91 33 66123939.
Email: reservations@ihcltata.com.
Check-in from 2 pm, check-out until noon.
