Fairlawn Calcutta is the most wonderful throwback to the days of the British Empire in the heart of Kolkata

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"It's a fair bet you have never even heard of the Fairlawn Calcutta, and yet it is legendary amongst those in the know."

My name is Gordon Steven and this article about the Fairlawn Hotel Kolkata[modern name for Calcutta] is intended to make potential travelers to the Indian Sub Continent opt for this budget hotel in Calcutta as opposed to one of the modern concrete five star soulless monstrosities that plague every wonderful city in the world.

So you want to visit Calcutta, and quite frankly who wouldn't. I had always wanted to visit, as my grandparents lived there a century ago, and particularly to see a cricket Test Match.

A friend recommended Fairlawn, and I have to be honest I have been seduced by the five star hotels, until I began to realise that staying in one gave you no real experience of what a city was like.

I approached the whole idea of Fairlawn Kolkata with some trepidation, but I need not have worried.

The Fairlawn Hotel is very much reminiscent of the India of the British Raj, and the legendary owner does nothing to dispel this myth. From the museum like furnishings, and pictures on the wall, to the good old fashioned courtesies, staying at the Fairlawn is like living in a byegone era.

Where is the Fairlawn Calcutta situated?

If I began by saying in a noisy street, then that would be correct. It is next door to the museum, and just round the corner from the Central Market. In fact as good as slap bang in the middle of Kolkata in Sudder Street, which is very much the tourist centre, therefore relatively safe.

What is the Fairlawn really like

The street outside may be noisy but the Fairlawn is like a quiet green oasis, very much as you would have expected to find in the old Colonial days. The house has huge halls and corridors, and they are full of paintings and artifacts from days gone by in Calcutta. A good descriptive word would be charming, with the same family owning the hotel since the mid 1930's, and the original owner Violet Smith still active and chatty. In fact she was married at Fairlawn.

The atmosphere that she has created and maintained is a cross between visiting an ancient relative, and a weekend house party, in other words very relaxed indeed.

The colour scheme is quite amazing, a combination of green and pink paint just adds to the slightly unreal almost bizarre feel.

Rooms at the Fairlawn

The rooms are large, airy, and well furnished, with fridge, airconditioning and a fan, and the ensuite facilities are more than adequate, with plenty of hot water. 
Guests can be fussy, having been spoilt by five star grandeur and facilities, but need to remember this relates to a modernised old style India, and at a budget cost, so bearing that in mind the accommodation is more than adequate.

You need however to be prepared for noisy air conditioning in the bedroom but in a way that just adds to the charm.

Given a choice the rooms upstairs are better and quieter, being away from the beer garden.

Costs for Fairlawn

It needn't cost as much as you think!!

I would recommend two places to look

1. How to Beat Your Travel Agent's Holiday Quote which will show you exactly how to organise the best deal at the Fairlawn

2. Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Fairlawn at TripAdvisor

Food and Drink at the Fairlawn

If one is to be fussy, the food is perhaps not the strong point, but having said that, there are good eating establishments close by. The best advice is breakfast and lunches are the strong point, but best to eat out in the evenings.
What is lovely is the old English custom of afternoon tea, and also the family style breakfast with the coffee served in a big communal pot.

For those used to signing for everything in a hotel, that doesn't happen here, you will need cash at the bar, or for your laundry, which is archaic but simply adds to the feel that you are living in a sort of history time warp.

The bar is outside surrounded by the greenery of the garden and is a great place to relax in after a day of hectic sightseeing. One of the best things is the chances you will meet and talk with like minded guests who chose the Fairlawn as well.

Staff at the Fairlawn

The first thing to say is the staff are very friendly, and this is an owner run hotel with the owners very much there and always available.
You will get lots of helpful hints and tips about Calcutta

Good things to know about the Fairlawn Hotel.

When you want to go sightseeing the hotel will organise a car and a driver, which is an absolute necessity, when you want to go to several places.
If you need to go somewhere specific in a taxi, then the hotel staff will ensure the taxi driver knows where you want to go.

The Lytton Hotel next door has a decent restaurant for dinner, or the Skyline cafe over the street

The owners of the Fairlawn have a huge amount of information about the best places to go in Calcutta for the best buys. 

 Summary 

The biggest advantage of the Fairlawn is that it is right in the middle of Calcutta, with cheap taxis right outside, and it doesn't cost a fortune. It is olde worlde, once inside the gates you are immediately out of sight even sound of the pandemonium that can be Calcutta.

You will not do better for the same money in this central part of Calcutta. There are a lot of middle class return guests with great tales to tell in the bar, worth sitting up for!!

Finally Fairlawn Kolkata is clean unlike many establishments in India!!

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Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Fairlawn at TripAdvisor