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The Elgin Fairlawn
Calcutta
Centrally located in the heart of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant part of Calcutta, this small, family run heritage hotel is within a two-minute walk from both India’s oldest museum - India Museum - and the famous 100-year old market, ironically called New Market Area. Just beyond is the iconic Park Street with its fleet of yellow ambassador taxis.
This boutique heritage hotel, whilst simple has plenty of quirky character and exudes a colonial-era vibe to it. Tracing back its origins, Fairlawn was built in 1783 and became a small family run property in 1936 until 2018 when it was bought by Elgin Hotels, whose founder is no other than M.S. Oberoi’s nephew – ‘Diamond Oberoi’. Renovation efforts are being made to blend old world charm with contemporary class and comfort.
During its eight-decade long existence as a hotel, Fairlawn has had a long list of distinguished past guests, including - to name a few - the travel writer Eric Newby, author of A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush (1958) and Dominique Lapierre who wrote A City of Joy (1985) on the garden terrace of Fairlawn Hotel, nicknamed even then as a ‘Relic of the Raj’. Other celebrities include the film directors Ismail Merchant and James Ivory whose movie, Shakespearewallah, features the Kendal family, the longest staying guests at the Elgin Fairlawn.
The Elgin Fairlawn comprises of 20 rooms in total, but only a few have been renovated by The Elgin so far, with the Deluxe Double Room being good value for its comfort and décor. The informal Dining Room offers a full English breakfast every morning and ‘a la carte menu’ throughout the day. After a full days sightseeing, relax at the Garden Gazebo with afternoon tea and biscuits or at the Balcony Lounge which is a nice quiet place to retire to write or read.
Those looking for luxury may opt for an alternative Ampersand suggestion, but for those fond of history and character will find The Elgin Fairlawn to be a memorable and interesting addition to a trip.
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AccommodationI can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson
