With pandemic our lives have been turned upside down and we have often asked ourselves.
When will travel recover?
Our latest offering Weekend Tour from Kolkata or “Work from a New Home” takes you to an adventure camp in Purulia, to stately heritage homes, decadent palaces and penthouses where you can drive down and spend a few days in leisure or even choose to work in idyllic settings.
Staycations and workations are slowly becoming a new trend in travel where the idea is to enjoy a change of place after months in isolation.
Travel will recover in stages. But till the time air travel resumes for tourism and quarantine measures are eased in different countries, why not explore your own state that has plenty to offer.
In one of his celebrated poems, Rabindranath Tagore had once written, “I have spent a fortune traveling to distant shores and looked at lofty mountains and boundless oceans, and yet I haven’t found time to take a few steps from my house to look at a single dew drop on a single blade of grass.”
This holds true for many of us who haven’t still explored the many alluring corners of Bengal. So if the stress of managing work and home is weighing heavy on you, why not take a few days off and drive down to these exclusive properties in Bengal that have adopted the highest measures of safety.
These exclusive staycations have been curated around properties that are off the beaten track and pride themselves in being your perfect host, taking care of all your needs with safe distancing and right hygiene measures in place.
So till the time travel makes a confident comeback, have a look at our ultimate weekend destinations from Kolkata for a great staycation.
If you are planning for a staycation near Kolkata, here are our handpicked properties where you can spend the weekend or working week and come back refreshed. We go an extra step to ensure that the facilities we recommend for our guests are maintaining all safety measures with social distancing rules in places.
Located in Cossimbazar by the Ganges near Murshidabad on a lush ten acre property, Cossimbazar Roy’s Palace prides itself for its originality. A drive of around 7 hours from Kolkata takes you to the sight of the resplendent colonnaded façade founded by the Roy’s in 1700s.
The luxurious rooms are a throwback to the European influence and are a perfect study of the lofty Renaissance architecture.
So what is in it for you?
A mini forest garden laden with mangoes in summer, the regal Chandi Mandap with majestic chandeliers from the 18th-century, Durga Puja that is celebrated since 250-years and a modern clay tennis court. Spend your day exploring the historically significant Murshidabad, once the capital city of Bengal during the Mughal era.
Apart from the palaces and old temples, the imambaras and cannons from the golden era of Bengali ascendance can be witnessed here. If shopping is in your mind, the palace has an adjoining outlet where you can purchase the famous Murshidabad silk sari and other garments.
Spend a few nights here and immerse yourself in another era. One of the best times to visit this place is during Durga Puja, if you want to know about the traditional rites and rituals.
Bedrooms are categorized into king suite, deluxe queen suite and executive suite. A traditional high, four poster beds with clothes rack, an old fashioned dressing table, air conditioners are available in all rooms.
2 nights.
Includes- All meals, sightseeing including Hazarduari Palace, Nashipur Rajbari, Jahankosha Cannon and more.
Price: Available On Request.
Price per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
A two hour drive from Kolkata, Ganga Kutir in Raichak is a perfect place to forget all the daily worries and just relax in the lap of nature. Perched on the banks of the river Ganga, the sprawling property is clean, green and well maintained and is replete with all the modern day amenities.
You can choose food from a plethora of options like gastronomic delights from around the world, organic, low fat or ‘ghar ka khaana’. You can rejuvenate yourself in the spa, spend quality time in the library or the meditation centre and enjoy the cruise. If you want some relaxing time with all modern amenities while soaking up the views of the Ganges, then this is the place to be!
Designed by one of the leading Sri Lankan architects, there are 16 rooms with handcrafted décor with bay windows overlooking the beautiful scenery around.
1 night
Includes– Stay in a pool view room with breakfast.
Price: Available On Request.
Price per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
Home to the royal family of Malla Deb, the Jhargram Palace is located around four hours away from Kolkata in Old Jhargram, Medinipur. If you want a heady mix of heritage, tradition, culture and nature, then this palace is one of the best possible destinations.
The Kingdom of Jhargram had its golden era during the reign of Raja Narasingha Malla Deb and this palace is around 400 years old. The carefully laid lawns outside the palace add on to the charm. The palace has quaint architectural beauty which is a blend of Italian and Bengali architecture.
You get to enjoy the traditional Bengali cuisine in a central dining hall cum cafeteria. You can spend time exploring the museum, walk in the open lawns, enjoy boating and relax at the pool. A stay at the Jhargram Rajbari will surely bring the legacy of the Malla Deb rulers to the forefront and enable you to embrace the lost chapters of Bengal historical past.
The hotel consists of 30 beautifully decorated rooms spread across 6 categories, Royal Suite, Executive Suite, Royal Guest House, Family Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Classic Deluxe. Each suite offer amenities like air conditioner, attached washroom, almirah, geyser and toiletries. The rooms have high ceiling and windows face to a lush garden or the main fountain.
2 nights.
Includes– Breakfast.
Price: Available On Request.
Price per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
On the fringe of the woods at Baghmundi nestles the beautiful Khairabera Eco Adventurer Camp. The resort, full of rustic charm, is located around 8 hours away from Kolkata, in Purulia.
It promotes eco-tourism and has been set up by the Kolkata-based Priya Entertainment who has done a commendable job with the facilities and the nature trails and outdoor activities they provide here. Spending time outdoors is the safest thing to do during a pandemic where we can avoid close contact with other people or even avoid droplets hanging in closed rooms that can affect us.
So a few nights here in solitude will let you enjoy a guided trek and camping, go kayaking on the Khairabera Lake, try archery and angling, hire a sports bike and explore the villages, play sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton and enjoy a barbeque by the lake in the evening.
Some of the local seasonal attractions and adventures that you may come across here are the traditional cockfighting, Polash festival, Bhadu festivals and Santal dance etc.
They provide accommodation in seven and luxurious tents with king sized beds, carved interiors and suitable lighting. There are deluxe, superior and standard tents available with heaters, air conditioners and geysers to suit all seasons.
There are three cottages with twin sharing accommodation. They have a garden view and surrounded by varieties of flowers. Heaters, air conditioners and geysers are available to suit all seasons.
2 Nights
Includes: All meals.
Price: Available On Request.
Prices are per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
Located on a hillock overlooking the small Chalsa town and the Dooars valley, Sinclairs Resort offers an ideal break from the stresses of a fast paced urban life. A two hours drive from the Bagdogra Airport will land you in this resort; spread over 20 acres of greenery, complete with flower gardens and fruit trees.
Sinclairs is an ideal destination for those seeking rest, rejuvenation, adventure and the bounties of nature. The luxurious rooms come with a rustic feel different from the urban style and each room opens out to a private balcony overlooking the greens.
You may enjoy it as a tranquil retreat or a base for exploring the natural attractions of Dooars, as a convenient access point for adventurous treks and climbs or a venue for the many restorative nature-based therapies available there.
You can visit the organic farm, enjoy indoor and outdoor games, savour fresh food made from local herbs and spices or unwind at the thematic bar or at the café.
Explore the natural attractions of the Dooars; such as the Gorumara National Park, Jaldapara Park, or explore some hidden villages nearby including Samsing and Tendu, visit the expansive and luxuriant tea gardens along the Bhutan border. For adventure seekers, there is mountain biking too.
The resort features 66 cottage-style rooms and three suites spread across 4 categories, Deluxe room, Superior rooms categorized as Burra Sahib Kothi, Bandook Babu Kothi and Nouveau Ville.
Each room has a private balcony and the Superior rooms come with an option of living room. Each room offers amenities like attached washroom, writing desk, air conditioner and tea/coffee maker. The rooms with private balconies offer beautiful scenery around.
2 nights.
Includes- All meals, Transfer from/to Bagdogra Airport and Gorumara Safari.
Price: Available On Request.
Price per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
Around two hour’s south-west of Kolkata in the small village of Bawali, The Rajbari Bawali makes for a peaceful oasis to relax in. Like other Rajbari resorts near Kolkata, it was once the extravagant headquarters of the landed gentry, the stunning structure fell into despair after India’s Independence as the Zamindars lost much of their wealth, and was left uninhabited for more than 40 years.
After being rediscovered recently, the building has undergone a fascinating restoration process in order to showcase its history, heritage and architectural design. The Rajbari Bawali is not a modern property, instead it’s a property with charming quirks, beautiful design and a fascinating history.
You must visit this place to enjoy the feel of staying in palatial homes of erstwhile Zamindars in rural Bengal and admire many pieces and artefacts throughout the property.
Among the must visit places in your weekend tours from Kolkata where you can spend your time relaxing by the pool, being pampered at the spa, enjoying cycles and boat rides or simply wandering around the property and village to get an insight into rural Bengali life.
As for dining, Bengali cuisine is served along with international options. The evening Aarti ceremonies and local music demonstrations are definitely worth experiencing.
The resort provides accommodation in 30 rooms and suites namely Classic Heritage, Notun Bari, Zamindari Suite, Royal Suite and Dak Bungalow with elegant and wooden furnishings. The Bungalows dotted around the property are good for families or group of friends. Air conditioner, bath products, tea and coffee maker and wardrobe are available in all rooms.
1 night
Includes: Breakfast and Dinner.
Price: Available On Request.
Price per person in twin share. 5% GST is applicable.
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