A boutique stay in Kolkata with lots of space, quiet, wifi and green all around. In essence, all the things you need for work, or a nice restful few days to read and relax
We offer you the opposite of budget hotels. Our rooms are large and full of natural light, there's enough space for you to do yoga or push-ups inside your room. And if you are the sort who doesn't like to stay cooped up in a room, step out and use our sizeable living room space. These are well-appointed with several sets of tables and chairs, so you can have your own quiet corner. There is wifi, there are books you can borrow from our shelves, and there is book art. The whole house is done up with books covers, and drawings and illustrations from Bengali books.
Bengal is about books, that's usually the first thing people say about Bengalis, that we're bookish. That is why we called our house Boi-er Bari (House of Books) because we are bookish like that.
There is wi-fi of course. We give you the user and password after check-in. We believe in local and offer the service provided by the friendly neighbourhood internet provider. Not the big, impersonal guys who leave you in call-centre hell when you need help.
The routers mention the number to be called in case something goes wrong, and a human voice picks up. Not that dreaded automated voice we are all afraid of.
We are a bed & breakfast establishment approved by the Indian government's ministry of tourism under the Incredible India project. We will give you a good bed, clean bathroom, comfortable sheets, and plenty of space to rest and work (and read, if you like). We will also give you a freshly-made breakfast in the morning to get you started.
Documents you need
We will need a valid, original photo-identity card at the time of checking in. This means your passport or Aadhaar or your voter card. PAN card is not accepted. You can email us the soft copy beforehand provided it is clearly visible. We decide if it is visible 🙂 and we may request you for a clearer copy if it does not suffice.
No alcohol, drugs, cigarettes
This is a no-smoking, no drinking, no drugs establishment. We are not here to judge you nor police you. But we expect you to follow the rules. Please drink outside in the area's many pubs and restaurants.
Please go down to smoke, and make sure you don't litter the stubs. Throw them in a trash can or a waste area.
Do you have food?
Aside from the breakfast that is on the house freshly made homecooked lunch and dinner is also available on order. You need to give us 4 hours advance notice. We offer both vegetarian and non vegetarian meals at INR 175 to INR 300 depending on what you order. Meanwhile, Swiggy and Zomato and Uber Eats are in your hands to deliver the world to you
We will help you with cafes nearby, as well as nice, basic eateries.
Laundry
We have a washing-machine that you can use for a nominal fee of Rs 100 (subject to be used twice a week). We have a superb terrace where you can dry your clothes organically and do your yoga/push-ups while waiting for them to dry. We can also point you to the local laundry and press services. If you want us to do your laundry, we shall do that at a price. Rate chart available in house.
Doctors/Meds/Hospitals
This is a residential area with a number of doctors around us. We keep a list of local doctors on call, and hospitals and nursing homes nearby. And of course, a first-aid box is available for minor cuts, and sprains.
Getting Around
Uber and Ola are right here to serve you. If you like to use public transport, there are autos right around the corner, and the new metro rail line is ready and being tested. Should be in use within a couple of months. The metro station, Karunamoyee, is five-seven minutes' walk from our house. The station is also a bus terminal, where you get to sit comfortably.
Fitness
We have a large terrace which is accessible to all our guests and us. You can do your yoga, your floor exercises or pilates or whatever. Plus, we are in a quiet, green residential area that is excellent to run in the mornings and evenings.
The Neighbourhood
Salt Lake is a planned, green neighbourhood. We are in a quiet, leafy block of residential bungalows. The neighbourhood market has vegetable and fruit stalls, fish and poultry stalls, grocery stores, sweetshops, pharmacy, milk booth, local tailoring shop.
City Centre 1, a very popular hangout, designed by legendary architect Charles Correa, has a mall, several fine dining places and cafes, delicatessens, a multiplex is less than 2km away.
There are several cafes within 5 to 10 minutes walk from our place.
Local Attractions
City Centre 1 a popular hangout is less than 2 km away. Designed by the legendary Indian architect Charles Correa it has a mall, a multiplex, several fine dining restaurants, delicatessens, cafes and also Starbucks.
Café Coffee Day, Seven kingdoms, Courting coffees, Greenhouse Café and many, more easily accessible through Google Maps
The local park is literally ten steps away from our bungalow.
North Calcutta once home to iconic figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Raja Ram Mohan Ray, Swami Vivekananda, and erstwhile Babus is 8 km from our place.
Jorasanko Rajbari less than 7km away – the erstwhile home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore . It now houses the Tagore Museum and the Rabindra Bharati University.
Sobhabazar Rajbaari- 6.4 km Palace of an aristocrat Raja Nabokrishna Deb in the early 19th century
Marble Palace- 8 km A nineteenth century, neoclassical mansion in north Kolkata
Chitpur – 6.5 km Chitpur Road more than 400 years old is the oldest road in Kolkata. Kumartuli the famous potters’ enclave, Nakhoda Masjid the biggest mosque in the city, Tirreti bazaar and old Chinatown are on various stretches of Chitpur. Even Jorasanko is a part of Chitpur.
Coffee shops: Café Coffee Day, Seven kingdoms, Courting coffees, Greenhouse Café and many more easily accessible through Google Maps.
Sweet Shops serving famous Calcutta sweets and savouries: Sweet Bengal, VIP sweets,
Gangotri, and Gupta Bros for chaats, dosas, pao bhaji, Gangotri, French Loaf
