An overnight stay at a hotel can be much more than just a comfortable room and a good night's sleep. At Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences in New Town, my short stay turned into a delightful combination of Bengali food, relaxation, an elaborate kebab dinner and a breakfast that celebrated Kolkata's local flavours.
Located in New Town, one of Kolkata's prominent business districts, Novotel is also conveniently situated for travellers arriving through Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The hotel's location and dining options make it an interesting choice for both business and leisure travellers. I was happy when I was invited to spend a day at the hotel and experience its facilities and food outlets.
After a warm welcome and a smooth check-in, I freshened up in my room overlooking this buzzing area of Kolkata. The hotel is located very close to the Salt Lake business area, making a stay very convenient for the business travelers.
I soon headed straight to The Square, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, to try its Bengali thali. The all-day dining restaurant was swank with a mélange of colours making it look attractive. They have a Bengali Thali as part of the regular lunch menu. At around Rs 2400, it was quite a sumptuous spread, particularly for someone who is from Hyderabad, and looks forward to good Bengali cuisine. Luchi, Kosha Mangsho, Paturi, Maacher Kaaliya were all there What made the meal especially appealing was the range of non-vegetarian options. Bengali food has a wonderful balance of flavours, drawing on mustard, spices, vegetables, fish and meat, and a well-planned thali offers an opportunity to experience several of these elements together.
The meal was a satisfying introduction to the culinary experiences that awaited us during our stay.
The Square is known for its buffets from breakfast through dinner, with a range of Indian and international cuisines and live counters enriching the buffets.
After lunch, it was time to slow down a little. A short nap following which a relaxing full body massage at the hotel's Meghavi Spa & Salon was just what I needed after a busy week. It was a welcome opportunity to unwind before heading out for the evening's food adventure.
Later, I stopped at lobby-level Cafe Joy for a latte. Sometimes, the simplest pleasures during a hotel stay are the most enjoyable—a comfortable place to sit, a well-made coffee and some time to relax without having to rush anywhere.
Cafe Joy offers a more casual setting within the hotel, with coffee and other café-style refreshments. It is a convenient stop for guests looking for a coffee break between meals or meetings.
But the highlight of the day was still to come. Dinner at Ministry of Kebabs turned out to be the icing on the cake.
The restaurant celebrates India's rich kebab traditions, drawing inspiration from different regional styles and cooking techniques. For anyone who enjoys Indian kebabs, it is an appealing concept—and my dinner made the most of it.
The star of the evening was the Kebab Trolley, which brought eight different kebabs to our table. The selection took us on a culinary journey across regions, from the Northwest through Punjab to Lucknow and Hyderabad. Murgh Hariyali Kabab, Tikha Chicken Wings, Shami Kabab, Galouti Kabab, and Mirch Masala Seekh were some of the highlights.
What I particularly enjoyed was the variety. Kebabs are often grouped together as a single category, but the preparations can differ considerably in their marinades, spices, textures and cooking styles. Sampling several in one sitting makes those differences all the more interesting.
The trolley also added a touch of theatre to the meal. Rather than simply ordering individual dishes, I could explore a selection of kebabs served as part of one experience.
And then there was the Nihari, which deserves a special mention. This slow-cooked meat preparation is known for its deep, rich flavours and comforting character, with regions having their own nuances in the recipe. The chef mentioned that the style was mainly Awadhi. It was a fitting addition to a dinner that showcased the diversity of India's meat-based culinary traditions. For me, the combination of the kebab trolley and Nihari made Ministry of Kebabs one of the memorable parts of our stay.
After so much of indulgence, I look a long walk inside the hotel premises. The sleep was deep and peaceful in the comfortable bed in my room.
After a good night's rest, we returned to The Square for breakfast. The buffet was carefully laid out, with a selection that included familiar breakfast favourites alongside dishes that reflected Kolkata's local food culture.
I was particularly pleased to see Luchi with sada aloor tarkari. This classic Bengali combination of puffed, deep-fried bread and a simple potato curry is a breakfast favourite for good reason. It is comforting, satisfying and unmistakably Bengali.
Another local touch was Dim Pauruti, a familiar Kolkata-style egg-and-bread preparation that makes for a simple yet enjoyable breakfast.
These regional touches made the buffet more interesting than a standard international hotel breakfast. While a broad selection is always welcome, it is often the inclusion of local specialties that gives a hotel dining experience a sense of place.
My overnight stay at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences was a pleasant blend of comfort, relaxation and food.
The Bengali thali at The Square introduced us to a selection of regional favourites, Cafe Joy provided a relaxed coffee break, and the kebab trolley at Ministry of Kebabs made dinner particularly memorable. The following morning, breakfast dishes with local dishes thrown in provided a fitting finish.
The hotel's New Town location is another practical advantage. Situated in Kolkata's business district and approximately a 20-minute drive from the airport under suitable traffic conditions, it can work well for business travellers as well as visitors looking for a comfortable base in this part of the city.
For me, what stood out was that the food was not merely an additional hotel amenity; it was a significant part of the stay itself.
Whether you are visiting Kolkata for work, planning a short city break or simply looking for a hotel experience that combines relaxation with interesting dining, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences in New Town is worth considering.