Kolkata during Durga Puja is not a city you simply visit; it is a city you need time to experience. The pandals, the dhaak, the lights, the late-night food trails, the beautifully dressed streets and that unmistakable feeling of celebration make Puja one of those occasions where a day trip simply does not feel enough. If you are planning to come to Kolkata this festive season, I would strongly recommend booking a stay and after my recent experience at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, I know exactly why.
For me, a good Puja stay needs to do more than offer a comfortable room. It needs to be well connected for exploring, have enough within the property to make the stay worthwhile, and give you somewhere peaceful to return to after a long day of discovering Kolkata. The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat manages to bring all three together.
Situated in New Town, around eight kilometres from the airport, the 304-room property is particularly convenient for travellers flying into Kolkata. Its location also puts attractions including Biswa Bangla Gate, Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Eco Park, Rabindra Tirtha and New Town Central Park within easy reach.
But my experience began before I even reached the room.
Walking into the lobby, I was immediately drawn towards the large Maa Durga mural overlooking the entrance. Surrounded by handwoven textiles, the artwork brings a distinctly Bengali culture into the contemporary hotel setting. And for a hotel preparing to welcome guests, I found this to be a thoughtful first impression it sets the cultural tone without feeling overly traditional.
Then there are the views. The hotel’s distinctive architecture means that the property opens up differently from almost every corner, with city, street and lake views creating a constantly changing backdrop. My room offered a beautiful city-and-lake panorama, and the night view was easily one of the highlights of my stay. The comfort of the room, attentive service and well-maintained spaces made it the kind of place I could imagine returning to after hours travel and city hopping.
And honestly, during Durga Puja, having good food within the hotel is a major advantage.
At Seasonal Tastes, breakfast comes with a wide selection of Indian and international dishes prepared through live stations. During my stay, what caught my attention were the Kolkata touches luchi, poori, Kolkata-style phuchka, rosogolla, mishti doi and cutting chai, live counters alongside fruits, salads, desserts, juices , non- veg spreads and hot beverages. For someone visiting Kolkata, these details matter because food is one of the easiest ways to connect with a city.
The dining experience continues at Ruh B Ruh, the 31st-floor restaurant offering Peshawari-inspired and Indian cuisine against sweeping 360-degree views of Kolkata. My conversation with Chef Abdul made the experience even more memorable. He told me, “Food is something which needs to be cooked and served with heart and interest; only then is it food.” It is a sentiment that genuinely reflects the warmth I experienced over dinner.
For something completely different, Nori brings Japanese dining to the 31st floor, while 3132 offers a rooftop bar setting with cocktails and live entertainment. The property also has a bakery, salon, gym, outdoor pool, Heavenly Spa and extensive event spaces, giving guests plenty to experience without having to leave the hotel. There is even a helipad, adding another distinctive element to the property.
And as Durga Puja approaches, the hotel is set to bring the celebrations into the property with a special Bengali-themed festive brunch, making the stay itself part of the season rather than merely a place to return to at night.
Kolkata deserves more than a rushed itinerary. You just need to step out early, explore, eat, watch the city transform, return for a break and head out again when the celebrations come alive at night.
After my stay at The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat, I can see it working particularly well for that kind of trip ,a comfortable base, beautiful views, multiple dining experiences, wellness facilities and enough regional touches to make you feel connected to the culture.
So, if Kolkata is calling you this Durga Puja, don’t just plan where you will go. Plan where you will stay and trust me you will love this stay.
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