Some hotel stays are about the room, some about the food, and some about switching off for a couple of days. My stay at The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata was different. Here, even walking from the entrance to my room felt like discovering another chapter of Kolkata.
The property has been standing in the heart of the city since 1840 and was originally established as the Auckland Hotel. Over the years, it witnessed Kolkata change around it, eventually earning its reputation as the “Jewel of the East.” Today, the property brings together Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary architecture across its three blocks, while continuing to preserve the character of its past.
My first impression came right at the entrance. Instead of an elaborate installation, the wall itself had been crafted into a beautiful fish-shaped design. A small water fountain and terracotta elements around it added that unmistakable Kolkata touch. It was subtle, but it immediately made me feel that I was entering a property that wanted its identity to be rooted in the city.
From there, I was taken towards my room, and this was when I really began noticing the property.
The passageways are not straight, predictable hotel corridors. There are old sloping and winding sections connecting the different blocks, with lobbies filled with artwork, terracotta pieces, elephant and bird motifs, planters and preserved objects. It had the character of an old Kolkata mansion rather than a conventional hotel.
And then came my room, It was probably one of the most interesting parts of the stay because the room continued the same old-world language without feeling uncomfortable or outdated. The textures, wooden detailing, traditional furnishings, oversized pillows and those distinctive triangular cushions reminiscent of an earlier era immediately caught my attention. There was also a swing-like seating arrangement suspended with old chains in the restroom, which added a charming detail.
It genuinely felt like a room designed for someone who enjoys being surrounded by history.
The more I explored, the more I realised that The LaLiT Great Eastern is best experienced slowly. I took a heritage walk that lasted nearly an hour, and honestly, I would recommend doing it with a guide. The property is large enough that you can easily miss the significance of what you are looking at.
What fascinated me were the smaller stories hidden around the property. An old coal iron has been repurposed as a planter. Vintage equipment has found a new life as décor. There is a spiral staircase specifically created for maids and servants to move through the property without using the main passageways. There are old meeting spaces connected to the hotel’s earlier history, along with preserved architectural supports that are still part of the building.
One of the most striking is the original 19th-century iron pillar manufactured by Dorman Long & Co. in Middlesbrough, England, which continues to support the Edwardian block even today. There is also a century-old German piano associated with the hotel’s musical past, while an eight-foot concrete cup on the balcony replicates a trophy presented to former chairman A.L. Billimoria by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961.
The heritage continues into the dining spaces.
At The Bakery & Wilson, I found another side of the property’s history. It has the visual character of an old traditional bakery, with historic baking equipment preserved and repurposed into décor. The century-old Baker Perkins oven, made in England, remains an important part of the story, while elements of the old machinery have been creatively incorporated into the space.
The food experience, however, brought me straight into Kolkata. At Alfresco, the all-day dining restaurant, I had Bengali favourites including aloo posto, ghee bhat, fish curry and mutton preparations. Later, a specially curated Bengali dinner followed, ending with the classics mishti doi, gur sandesh, rosogolla and more. It was the kind of meal that made the stay feel connected to the city rather than simply located in it.
While having the conversation with Ayan Halder, General Manager, The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata he said: “our endeavour has always been to preserve the soul of a landmark that has witnessed nearly two centuries of the city’s history, while creating experiences that allow our guests to connect with Kolkata through its heritage, cuisine, culture and contemporary spirit.”
What I also appreciated was that the property does not treat its heritage as its only identity. During my stay, I experienced a Kitty Su event, which brought a lively LGBTQ+ community presence and an entirely different energy into the property. It was interesting to see and be a part of the event.
And for a staycation, there is enough to keep you within the property even after the heritage walk. Spiceology – The Spa spans 13,000 sq. ft. and offers wellness experiences inspired by Indian spice traditions and Ayurvedic wisdom. There is also a fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool and a banquet hall for meetings and other events with an open-air rooftop that can accommodate up to 500 guests and offers views towards the city skyline and Hoogly and Howrah Bridge.
By the end of my stay, I realised why this property feels so different. The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata doesn’t simply display its history it makes you walk through it, sleep inside it, eat alongside it and discover it one little detail at a time.
For a city like Kolkata, where every old building seems to have a story, this felt like one of the rare places where you don’t have to go looking for history. You simply check in, and it is already there.
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