The Elgin Fairlawn, Kolkata

Hotels
8.5 (504 reviews)
13A Sudder Street NEAR INDIAN MUSEUM , Kolkata , IN

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
Garden
Laundry
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Centrally located
Beautiful ambience
Old world charm
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Room not as expected
Noise disturbances

Categories

Cleanliness
6.58
Review mentions cleanliness issues and poorly maintained property.
Service
9.55
While some staff were overworked, service was generally fine, and staff were described positively.
Location
9.59
Centrally located, close to shopping and restaurants, which reviewers appreciated.
Room Quality
7.54
Several reviews noted issues with room quality, specifically noise and the room not matching expectations.
Amenities
9.07
Amenities generally mentioned as good, though some satisfaction issues expressed.
Value for Money
8.03
Reviewers commented that the hotel was somewhat overpriced for the quality offered.
Food and Beverage
8.58
Reviews praise the food, but some noted inconsistency with breakfast quality.
Overall Experience
9.05
Despite flaws, the overall experience was generally positive, with charm and character appreciated.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 23:12

Property Description

Historic Charm and Modern Comfort

Luxurious Accommodations: Experience air-conditioned rooms with elegant decor and modern amenities, including satellite TV and private bathrooms. Some rooms even feature a charming balcony for a relaxing evening.

Convenient Location: Situated just steps away from New Market and Eden Gardens, our hotel offers easy access to Kolkata's top attractions. Explore Indian Museum and Victoria Memorial located nearby.

Exceptional Service: Enjoy a delicious Full English/Irish breakfast every morning and rely on our friendly staff available 24/7 at the front desk for any assistance you may need.

Book your stay at The Elgin Fairlawn, Kolkata for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the city.

Important information:

Please note that the property does not accept reservations from local residents.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 504 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.58
Service: 9.55
Location: 9.59
Room Quality: 7.54
Amenities: 9.07
Value for Money: 8.03
Food and Beverage: 8.58
Overall Experience: 9.05
D
D.H And Family • solo_traveller • au
7
Old world charm
Pros:

The respect for the history of the property is the main factor for staying here. Don't stay if you want modern amenities and comfort, although you get these to some degree.
It's handily placed for the India Museum, Park St and Esplanade metro stations as well as the tourist resources available on Sudder St and Chowringhee. A nice oasis from the action of Kolkata once you walk through the gates. Sitting upstairs on the veranda of an evening was very pleasant with a G and T. (Guests were able to enjoy two for one on drinks).
Food in the restaurant was excellent. Breakfast included freshly cooked masala dosa.
We thought our ground floor room might be a little noisy next to the restaurant but the thick old walls provided sound insulation and kept the room pretty cool. Aircon was not needed, the fan was sufficient. There was no window which had advantages and disadvantages.
Bathroom was good and the double bed (two singles conjoined) was comfortable.
Our check-in welcome was cheerful and professional. We were allowed to linger an extra hour on checkout at no cost.

Cons:

No Indian branded beer available (I didn't come to drink Bud!).
Some staff were a little inattentive in the restaurant.
But really these are trivial reasons.

2026-11-04 • via Nuitee
P
Philippa • couple • nz
10
A Grand Old Dame
Pros:

What a wonderful place! It has such a lovely energy about it - so much history and character. It has a communal energy too and we shared drinks and stories with quite a few interesting fellow travellers. The beds were super comfortable with nice linen and pillows. Enjoyed the morning breakfasts as well. The location is very central and close to Park St for evenings out. Much to like and would love to stay here again if I am ever back this way.

2026-11-02 • via Nuitee
S
Susan Faye • solo_traveller • au
10
Beautiful old heritage hotel, attentive nd friendly staff and good food
Pros:

Lovely atmosphere and location

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-31 • via Nuitee
R
Ronald • solo_traveller • de
9
Historisches Hotel mit Stil in zentraler Lage
Pros:

Hotel hat Charme . Nettes Personal .

Cons:

Alles okay .

2026-10-30 • via Nuitee
E
Elke • couple • de
9
Wunderschönes kleines Heritage Hotel
Pros:

Man bucht nicht ein Zimmer, sondern das Gesamtensemble. Deshalb ist der Zimmerpreis gerechtfertigt. Das kleine Heritage Hotel mit nur 16 Zimmern ist wunderbar charmant mit schönen Außensitzplätzen und gutem Restaurant. Superzentral gelegen um die Ecke vom Indian Museum und trotzdem sehr ruhig. Eine Oase!

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
C
Clotilde • couple • it
7
Loin de nos attente
Pros:

L’ancienneté du bâtiment

Cons:

La vétusté et le service médiocre, le restaurant très médiocre

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
M
Mathilde • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Unique hotel, full of history and charm. Staff was incredibly helpful and responsive.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
M
matthias • couple • ch
9
2026-10-21 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • de
7
Pros:

Koloniales Flair im Zentrum des Chaos.

Cons:

Heruntergekommen, zu teuer, Service schlampig, kein Fenster im Zimmer, unfreundliche Behandlung durch Personal. Nächstes Mal dann woanders.

2026-10-20 • via Nuitee
R
Rebecca • solo_traveller • it
8
2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
E
Elke • extended_group • de
8
Pros:

Das Hotel ist eine Oase im lauten Kalkutta. Die Atmosphäre im Kolonialstil ist einmalig. Ich kenne es schon seit 30 Jahren.

Cons:

Es wäre gut, den Anreisenden vorher zu vermitteln, dass die Zimmer nicht mit normalen Standards zu messen sind, sie liegen teilweise direkt am Restaurant und teilweise haben sie keine Fenster. Aber das Haus ist eine Art "Gesamtkunstwerk", das nehmen wir in Kauf!

2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
B
Bhagwatwar • couple • in
6
2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
M
Marina • couple • au
7
A piece of history in the centre of Kolkata. A beautiful heritage hotel.
Pros:

The Elgin Fairlawn is a very historic hotel - I believe the oldest in Kolkata. We visited in 1980 and were keen to go back. Its very central and as a result noisy. There is a lovely restaurant and seating area outside and under cover which is perfect as well as a balcony with seating for residents upstairs. So its an oasis in a very noisy setting - as honking is part of Indian life and a lot more besides.
The room was comfortable and had a fair few amenities. The Wifi was more or less consistent. More importantly the ambience of that crumbling splendour was all around and we loved that. Many others might not. For us it carried such history and charm. The food was good and the staff always smiling and ready to help with anything we needed. We really enjoyed our stay there.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • solo_traveller • de
7
Pros:

Zentral gelegen, altmodisxh gemütliches Hotel im Kolonialstil, etwas in die Jahre gekommen.

Cons:

Zimmer kleib, Bad primitiv, kein Fenster, vor dem Zimmer eine Müllhalde, abends sehr laut. Preis zz hoxh.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
S
Shweta Jogalekar • solo_traveller • in
10
Pros:

Beautiful heritage property, the only good thing about my Kolkata trip was the stay. Extremely helpful and nice staff.

Cons:

Its worn down, it needs refurbishing or the whole building might collapse. Especially the 1st floor.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
S
Steven • couple • gb
6
If you state you're pet-free - apply it to yourselves too.
Cons:

Advertised as pet-free, bhere was a cat fed by staff that roamed around the public areas.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
J
Jaideep Aurovindo • solo_traveller • in
8
It is OK for a one night stay but for longer periods it may be expensive - not value for money
Pros:

Beautiful property but not very well maintained. Staff are very good. My room was very small compared to the price charged.

Cons:

The size of the room and the general upkeep

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • gb
9
Very friendly and helpful staff in historic hotel
Pros:

Very friendly and helpful staff. Very comfortable room and good food. Great history of hotel

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jignesh • couple • in
7
Different experience then normal hotel
Pros:

British culture Property

Cons:

It half under renovation, need to complete.

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
M
Maddalena • couple • it
8
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee