Every inch of Kolkata’s ITC Royal Bengal is an ode to Bengal’s splendour

‘Responsible Luxury’ with putting India first, embodies ITC Hotel Group’s Golden ethos. Holding this philosophy high, ITC Group of Hotels has added this ideology to the architecture of their hotels reflecting local history and culture. Take for example ITC Royal Bengal, the ultimate luxury address in Kolkata that carries forward the rich culture and heritage of Bengal, paying tribute to the towering achievements of the great minds of Bengal and its people, known for their pathbreaking contribution to India’s arts, science and the finest experiences that life can offer.

The royal reception

ITC Royal Bengal is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum  certified  building  under LEED USGBC New Construction Programme.LEED  that upholds international  symbol  of  sustainability excellence in greenbuilding. The building has less carbon emissions, conserves resources and reduces operating costs, while prioritizing sustainable practices and creating a healthier environment. Environment-friendly materials have been used in the building. More than 20% of the materials of are recycled and 23% of the construction materials have been locally sourced. Even the landscaping of the Hotel has been designed with native plant species that help in promoting biodiversity with reduced irrigation water demand and low maintenance.

ITC Royal Bengal conjures up this awe-inspiring world within a monumental, magnificent edifice. Envisioned and created with – the luxury of space, the burnished  gleam of décor inspired by the finest buildings of this land and the  hushed  elegance  of  homes that have celebrated the finest nuances of culture, art, music and a zest for truly sublime experiences. The architecture is a fine blend of European and indigenous architecture found in erstwhile stately homes (Bonedi Bari), regal palaces of the Nawab era and churches of Bengal with contemporary comfortable design. Reflecting  the  rich heritage of Kolkata’s past, the façade  of  one  of  the  largest hotels of the City of Joy, is inspired by several  heritage  buildings of Bengal along with the aristocratic homes of Kolkata and the districts.

Stories  that  dead  pillars  tell, spring to life when one goes beyond the brick and mortar of ITC Royal Bengal’s outer frame. The classic Greco-Roman façade with its Horse Sloping entrance, is reminiscent of the stately homes and Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad. The classical Greek architecture with ancient Doric columns that date back to 8th century BC, was introduced in Bengal via Bengal Renaissance Art and Architecture. 

Cherishing the passion of the Nawabs of Bengal, ITC Royal Bengal is truly an architecture of regal elegance. The stairway in the central part of the hotel takes you to the signature restaurants that mirror a culture of exceptional enterprise, extravagance and an eye for detail resonating with the grandeur and the fine lifestyles of Bengal’s erstwhile nobility. It also reminds us of the rich, elite intellectuals of Bengal. The black railing of the staircase has a 17th-century art style known as Cul de Lampe. While the exterior railings have a string of Balusters dating back to the Renaissance period. The Antis below the staircase is found at the Treasury Building of Kolkata and even in the interiors of different city churches reminding us that Kolkata was once the capital of erstwhile British Empire.

Even  the  door  knobs  of various rooms and the hotel’s Business Lounge is reminiscent of the Art Nouveau style, introduced by Abanindranath Tagore, nephew of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and a famous painter and illustrator of the Bengal  Renaissance  in his 19th century painting Abhisarika. There are several inspiring pieces of 18th-century furniture placed at different corners of the hotel. 

Towers Exclusive room

Take for example, the Chest of Drawers at the Blockfront, that are made like the ones seen in several stately homes of the region. The chair legs of different rooms are decorated as per Biedermeier, a Central European Decorative Art, that flourished between 1820-40, found in the Marble Palace of Kolkata. The various motifs used on the glass partitions, floors and doors areTrefoil  motifs  seen  in  churches  of Bengal or the Rib Vault decorations traced to Bonedi Bari. Interestingly, the Kalka design on the floor lobby marble counter was used extensively in the Benarasi and Baluchari sarees worn by the women of regal homes of Bengal.

The grand staircase

And  once  you  step  onto the welcoming green carpets in various apartment bedrooms,  you  will  surely  be  mesmerised at the alpona motifs that were drawn in aristocratic Bengal homes. Prints, kantha works and artefacts symbolising the Tree of Life (an age-old concept shared across cultures) is found across the Hotel. Though it grows old, it bears seeds in its very essence. Over time it has come to represent prosperity, positivity and progress. ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar together celebrate this eternal symbol. While ITC Royal Bengal celebrates ‘One of a Kind’ finest experiences, ITC Sonar, a luxury business resort is themed on a Bagaanbari (garden homes of erstwhile Bengal’s nobility). Branching into timeless traditions, they both pay tribute to the essence of Bengal.

With  its  passion  for perfection and its pursuit of beauty and grace, ITC Royal  Bengal represents the state of Bengal and the unique fervour of its people forcelebrating and nurturing the finest across the myriad facets of life.