The Rajbari Bawali is a beautiful heritage hotel, set in a rural village of Bawali on the outskirts of Calcutta. This 350-year-old palatial property of winding steps and colonnaded corridors was once the residence of the zamindars of this region – the Mandals. Today, after a long process of restoration and conservation by Kolkata businessman Ajay Rawal, it once again celebrates its 18th-century grandeur and welcome new set of guests who arrive here after a 90 minutes' drive from Calcutta.
Housed within the neoclassical palace with lofty verandas, Rajbari Bawali has just 30 rooms spread over two levels. In the rooms, floors are marble or bone-white painted cement with four poster-beds, many dressed in frilly layers of fabric, antique wooden chairs, coffee tables and Venetian mirrors. French doors open out onto verandas overlooking into a garden in the central courtyard. Public spaces are decorated with old musical instruments, carved lions and Louis XVI chairs.
Dining at Rajbari Bawali is a highlight where chefs have consolidated nearly 500 authentic Bengali recipes. For lunch we recommend you try Bengali Thali, a wonderful mix of flavours. Then take a leisurely birdwatching walk around the village. Back at the hotel, cool down in one of two large ponds dotted with carved wooden divans covered with embroidered Indian textiles. But if walking was too much of work then visit the tranquil Mantra Spa, a nice way to end your East India tour.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceStay The Rajbari Bawali has just 30 rooms and suites. Recently restored all the rooms and suites, boast an eclectic mix of traditional antique with all things modern. The huge, high-ceilinged rooms feature regal four-poster beds and elegant furnishings teamed with modern day comforts including giant, flat screen TVs and air-conditioning. Spacious rooms have sitting areas with French doors that open out onto a common veranda that shades the front and cools the rooms during Indian summers.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at The Rajbari Bawali. There are three separate bungalows with two to four rooms each which are ideal for families or groups travelling together. The Dak Bungalow with two bedrooms is ideal for families with up to two children, whilst the Chhoto Bari has four rooms in a separate building overlooking the pool. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine There is no restaurant per se at the Rajbari Bawali but chefs have carefully researched and created a menu of 500 authentic Bengali recipes. The house chef will consult for your likes a day before and will prepare dishes of your choice from their original recipes. The house menu extends from the kitchen of Rabindranath Tagore and Babus of Thakurbari to the common Pally Bangla menu. Meals are served in the elegantly furnished Durbar Hall dining room or al fresco in the courtyard.
Relax There is a beautiful outdoor pool, spa and a library at the Rajbari Bawali. The highly acclaimed Mantra Spa is set amidst the trees near natural pools to provide a fresh and calming environment. Treatments include rejuvenating reflexology to cleansing scrubs and relaxing massages. The wellness team also offers Jiva Yoga program and classes by a local Yoga practitioner. Rajbari is also a perfect place to host private yoga tours with exclusive accommodation in the Chota Bari bungalow.
Experience There are host of activities on offer at the Rajbari Bawali. Take a historical tour of Bawali village and visit a 175-year-old Jiu terracotta temple, then take leisurely walk around local villages with rich birdlife of local and migratory birds. These include Wagtails, Parakits, Barn Owls and kingfishers as well as thousands of cranes, cormorants and storks between their nesting season of June and September. Also visit Bawali Farmhouse that supplies most ingredients to the kitchen.
Location The Rajbari Bawali is located in Bawali, just over an hour from the centre of Calcutta.
Getting there Fly into Calcutta's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. From there, The Rajbari Bawali is a 2-hour drive.
When to go Calcutta has three main seasons- Summer, Monsoon, and Winter. Summer, during March-May, is hot and humid with temperature touching 38-40°C. Monsoon starts in June and lasts till September, October. Winter starts in November and stays till February and weather is very pleasant. Best time to visit Calcutta is October-March.
Destination
North-Eastern, India
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