Built in 1905 in central Kolkata, The Astor Hotel occupies a repurposed British colonial-era building. Its original red-brick architecture, soaring ceilings and interior patio provide a striking contrast to the bustle of Park Street's major thoroughfares, just a few minutes' walk away.

Why choose The Astor Hotel

This address appeals to travellers who value the character of a historic building over the uniformity of international chains. More than a century after opening, the Astor retains its Victorian façade and many original elements, while offering the comfort expected of an upscale urban hotel.

The property makes an excellent base for exploring Kolkata over several days, whether as a cultural stop in West Bengal or as a departure point for Sikkim and northeast India.

Atmosphere and architecture

The 1905 building is one of the rare surviving examples of late British Raj hotel architecture still in operation in Kolkata. The paved interior courtyard doubles as an evening garden-restaurant, making meals more pleasurable than in the air-conditioned halls of neighbouring modern hotels. The reception hall, dark wood furnishings and period chandeliers set the tone from arrival onwards.

The atmosphere is understated, without ostentation. The contrast between the colonial sobriety of the building and Kolkata's density just beyond the walls forms part of the experience.

Rooms

The hotel offers three room categories:

• Deluxe: entry-level category with standard urban hotel amenities (private bathroom, television, mini-bar, Wi-Fi, safe).
• Executive: comparable amenities to Deluxe, generally in more generous spaces and often with quieter courtyard views.
• Suite: rooms equipped with a multimedia panel allowing laptop content to be projected onto the room's television, useful for business travellers or extended stays.

Configurations vary by floor: it's worth specifying your preferences (double bed, courtyard view, higher floor) when booking.

On-site services

• Main restaurant and courtyard dining in the evenings
• Bar
• Room service
• Wi-Fi throughout the property
• 24-hour reception and laundry service
• Private parking on-site, a rarity in this neighbourhood

Location in Kolkata

The Astor sits on Shakespeare Sarani, in the central Park Street district, within easy reach of the Maidan, the city's great green lung. The position is central: most major tourist sites are accessible by taxi in fifteen to twenty-five minutes depending on traffic, often heavy during peak hours.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is connected to the centre by expressways; expect around 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on traffic.

What to see and do nearby

• Victoria Memorial: Kolkata's emblematic monument, a short taxi ride away
• Indian Museum, India's oldest museum, on Park Street
• St Paul's Cathedral and the Maidan for a morning walk
• New Market and the shopping streets of Park Street, lively in the evenings
• Howrah Bridge and the Hooghly River ghats, best seen at sunrise or sunset

Planning a stay in India

Kolkata combines well with other stops across the subcontinent. To extend a circuit towards Rajasthan, the family-run Shahpura House in Jaipur offers a heritage stay in a royal family residence. In the Himalayan foothills, Woodville Palace Hotel in Shimla likewise champions the historic hotel experience. In Kerala, the Residency Tower in Trivandrum serves as a comfortable urban base, while Velvet Clarks Exotica offers a nature-focused stop.

To build an itinerary that includes Kolkata and West Bengal, explore our India travel ideas.