Fairlawn a well managed and serviced small property near to Indian museum in Sudder street just few meters away from crowded main road.
January 1st week I stayed there. My room no-7 is in first floor. Common spaces in first floor decorated carefully, showing the past glory. Bath room was neat and clean.
Except me all guests were from Europe. Evening tea time I found, they took all the space in open air restaurant.
Service done by the front office should be appreciated. I had to catch morning flight, they arranged early breakfast for me, before the normal time.

This is a unique hotel..read the website.Here you can relax,meet with friends,experience nice staff and good service.There are only 8 rooms,so book early.Young Indians come here as well as a chique place to meet..so there is a good buzz in the evenings with the mix of international travelers of all ages.You will not get an experience like this anywhere else in Kolkata..or possibly anywhere else in India.It's not a grand/bland/modern hotel..so unsuitable for the demanding businees person or spoilt companion.
Traditional English breakfasts and tea included in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.Eat out in evenings is best.Some rooms are Palatial and hot water is always avaliable.There are many rooms downstairs and upstairs to relax.Wi-fi aaliable.

I agree with the majority of the positive reviews. This hotel has to been seen to appreciate it. It is like walking back into colonial days. Certainly there are signs that it needs some updating. The photocopier at reception, for example, is on its last legs. Bathrooms need some attention. But considering the cost, the great location and the helpful reception staff this hotel is not only an experience in itself but excellent value for money.

It is more like sharing someone's house than staying at a hotel. The owner, Mrs Fowler, is in evidence each day. Whilst she is 'mature' she still takes great pride in her hotel, which is also her home.

I read that the coffee is poor. Not being a coffee drinker I relied on my wife's opinion which was the coffee was the best she had tasted in India!

We stayed only two nights and wshed we had stayed for longer. Strongly recommended.

Walking into the Fairlawn Hotel was like a childhood memory of a visit to an eccentric, eldery relative's house, but with everything "super-sized". Unprepossing from the road, the interior is far grander than you might expect and is replete with elegant colonial features. The decor is decidedly tired and you will either think it adds to the period charm or is in need of serious renovation.

This is a family business and it has been run that way for decades. Every square inch of the magisterial lobbies and staircases is hung with pictures and newspaper cuttings from a bygone era, mostly of the owner (Violet) and her family posing with distinguished guests. The sheer quantity of period furniture on display is mind-boggling - I have no idea if any of it has any value, but it certainly looks impressive.

The same theme continues into the bedrooms, which are absolutely vast. You will feel as though you have an entire suite. The beds are luxurious but the bathrooms need updating.

Overall there's clearly a great deal of pride on display on the part of the owner, but it's a shame this doesn't always extend to her staff. Whilst we found the reception staff and the gatekeepers to be very pleasant and helpful, the waiters were universally surly and the table service sloppy.

The hotel has an excellent location on Sudder St. There are all kinds of useful amenities within 2 minutes' walk - minimarkets, bookshops, internet cafés, restaurants, laundry service and the main post office. The sights of Calcutta are probably a little too far to walk but taxis are ten a penny (and are all part of the experience!)