Given the hundreds of positive reviews of the Oberoi Grand it seems rather superfluous to add yet another but we so enjoyed our stays there that we feel the “Grand Dame of Kolkata” deserves yet another bouquet.
We stayed in late December 2011 for 5 nights and then again in mid January 2012 for another 3 nights. Both stays were purely for leisure and effectively bookended an enormously rewarding holiday to India. Kolkata, our favourite Indian city, is like few others in the world. It can be frantic, noisy, dirty, confronting, and yet wonderful all at the same time. To fully appreciate it you really need opportunities to take a break from it, and just relax for bit – this is what the Oberoi affords the traveller, a quiet zone of calm and beauty amid the hubbub that is Kolkata.
In terms of amenity the Oberoi is superbly well located, if you are feeling energetic you can simply walk to many of the major sights (e.g. the Indian Museum, the BBD Bagh area, Park St). If not feeling like the exertion catch a local yellow taxi for very little, the concierge is always happy to call you one and we never experienced any pressure to use the more expensive hotel cars. If you want to get around the city FAST along the north-south axis then just use the metro (the Esplanade stop is just 50 metres north of the hotel) – this is great for instance to visit the Rabindranath Tagore family home (now a Museum) with the metro trip from Esplanade to Girish Park costing the princely sum of just 4 rupees (8 cents!). Too few westerners use the metro; we found it efficient and no more crowded that most metros – sometimes we even got a seat. Women travelling alone can use the “Ladies Only” sections provided in many carriages.
But back to the hotel itself. All aspects of the hotel are excellent: the rooms are elegant and comfortable, the food (both Indian and Thai) really superb, and the staff without exception warm and friendly yet thoroughly professional. What was very important to us (and one of the main reasons we chose the Oberoi Grand) is its layout and structure; it is not just another high rise luxury hotel with lobby and lifts. Rather it is low rise (occupying most of a city block), it has wide walkways surrounding an open central garden with pool, and its history is reflected in the wood panelling, use of stone, and choice of fittings throughout. Though now quite modern it reflects its heritage from the days of the British Raj without trying to be a museum.
And yes, you will pay for all this, but no more than you will pay for any very good hotel in most major cities of the world. So what else can we say, a really great hotel. We only bother writing reviews for hotels we think are something special and the Oberoi in Kolkata certainly is that!