Name: The Elgin Fairlawn Kolkata
Address: 13/A Sudder St, Kolkata, 700016, IN

10/10

Exceptional

04 Apr 2026

Arturo

The hotel is a heritage gem in the center on Kolkota. While it doesn’t boast the polish of a newer hotel, it checks the box on every comfort including AC, a beautiful upstairs sitting room full of historical photos and antiques as well as a lovely garden terrace to take one’s meals. The staff is gracious and attentive.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2026

Robyn

Being a colonial building the rooms were large and reflective of the era with period furnishings. However, the building is in need of some renovation and looks a little shabby in places. The kitchen provides a good selection of delicious food but the menu would benefit from more snack options after a day of sight seeing.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2026

ROBERT

Clean room, clean bathroom, helpful staff, very good breakfast and great dining menu.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Feb 2026

Madhav

Yes. Rooms were clean and the staff were courteous and helpful

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2026

Daniel

Great spot great staff, very pleasant room. The Elgin Fairlawn really saved me at the last minute and I am grateful for the hospitality!

10/10

Exceptional

11 Feb 2026

alan

Beautiful old hotel , it’s very worn in places so maybe not for everyone but personally I think it adds to the old world charm . Wonderful friendly staff . Bruce Springsteen and Patrick Swayzee have stayed here in the past !

Self

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jan 2026

KAZI

Shops are nearby. Clean room but hot water is not working properly.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2026

Gerald R

I booked this hotel as it is an old elegant hotel from the past. It still is but it also could use some much needed TLC. Staff were good, room first given me was one of four on the ground floor. For the price for a week I expected hot water in the sink, did not have it. They changed rooms for me to one of the other four on the ground floor off the dining room, upstairs rooms full and I would have preferred one of those, the new room was much better and had hot/cold water in the sink/shower. I recommend never take a room downstairs, I dislike coming out of a room into the dining area. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast never varied, typical Indian fare which I like and was good, I'm sure if I asked they would do an omelette. It is an elegant old hotel from the past which is just what I wanted but as I said, needs a lot of TLC but I loved it.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Nov 2025

INDRANI

Nice, but dated hotel. Clean. Good service.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2025

Rhonda

The Elgin hotel is a beautiful old lady that needs a little bit of an up left but to compensate for that the quality of the food and the service and the interaction with the staff is five stars plus, I would definitely recommend anyone that’s looking for a wonderful place to stay to stay there we will gladly stay there again. Should the opportunity arise.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2025

JR

This a great place to stay that is in the Victorian era mode. I hope the basic decorum and vibe of the place never changes. It is a throw back to another era and all of the pictures from earlier times in Kolkata and the hotel and news clips are very interesting. Yes there maybe some pealing paint (which to me is part of the charm) but there is a touch of class throughout - e.g. white table cloths, real crystal wine glasses, antique furniture. The staff is well trained and eager to please. The breakfast that was included provided a nice array of choices that were well prepared.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

19 May 2025

Alan

The hotel's historic character is charming; the staff were helpful; and the breakfast buffet at the patio cafe was very good. Our room was a bit quirky: it opened directly onto the dining room, and there was no partition between the shower and the rest of the bathroom.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2025

ANDREW WILLIAM

Needs major upgrade. Living off its legend.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2025

Edward

Time warp charm

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

02 May 2025

CHRISTOPHER

A real heritage hotel (building dates from 1783) with great atmosphere.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2025

ARUP

A taste of days gone by…

If you’re looking for something old world and quirky stay at the Elgin. Fantastic location too. Walking distance to new market, park street, Eden gardens etc.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jan 2025

Lei

I was a business traveler and chose the hotel because it was near my destination.

1. The hotel is renovated on basis of an old housing; the facilities cannot compare with modern hotels.

2. The hotel locates in a narrow road, very crowded and easy to be stuck in daytime, and I had problems with Uber drivers as they were reluctant to drive in.

3. There are constructions in the neighbor, 7am - 10pm, very noisy.

Briefly speaking, if you are a tourist and hope to taste the old colonial living style, it is a good choice. But if you are a business traveler, a modern hotel may be a better choice.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2025

ROBERT

Excellent, good breakfast and the food menu was varied at a reasonable price.
Hotel was convenient for Eden Gardens cricket ground a good 20 min walk away but flat, despite England getting spanked there by 7 wickets it was great experience all the same 😉
The hotel has great history with lots of pictorial items on display, the guests list who have resided there is very interesting.
If and when I’m back in Kolkata I’ll definitely stay here again.
Great friendly and helpful staff too which is always good ☺️

Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2025

Raghuveer Gowda

Excellent stay

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2025

Verified traveler

We like the size and old feel of the bedroom but bathroom could use an upgrade. Neither of us wanted to use the shower
Good breakfast. Friendly all around

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Dec 2024

Rajiv

Positives:
1) Brought back nostalgia from he days of the British Raj
2) Excellent service people
3) Great kitchen - amazing food.
Very friendly and helpful staff

Areas for improvement:
1) Building is old - over a 100 years old and shows its age. So do the fixtures - chandeliers, lights, carpets, staircase
2) Not very easy to find - as it is located in a very congested area. Lots of one of one way streets
3)

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

08 Nov 2024

Christopher

A very historic property with old world charm and facilities. Our room had an unusable shower over a deep bath. Many of the ceilings and walls show signs of decay, but it is an 1783 property!
The main common facilities (dining room and garden cafe area) are well kept and very atmospheric. The food was excellent and the staff are very lovely.
We would stay again, but ensure we were allocated a room with a wlk in shower next time.
The Fairlawn is not for everybody, but if you love history and authenticity, you can't go past it for an experience.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Nov 2024

Camilla

a hotel with tons of charcter

very cozy and unique characteristic hotel feels like you back in time, the staff are very warm, feels like a home away form home .
However would update some of the rooms, a new coat of paint would do alot. the old style and charcter should remain, this is truley unique!!
i will be back for sure and would recommend the place!

Business

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2024

RORY

The reception staff were helpful and friendly. The dining room staff were excellent. Couldn't ask for better. Good value for money and agood location.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jul 2024

Soura

A charming place where you step back in time. Warm, hospitable staff.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2024

Sneha

Overall an OK stay. Staff kept pressuring about checking out at 11. Not explained.about breakfast.

8/10

Excellent

09 Jun 2024

Bruce

It was a comfortable and enjoyable stay

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2024

Manfred

Beautiful heritage hotel, well preserved, excellent and very helpful staff and you will get his for a very fair price. Strongly recommended for everyone not only looking for modern facitlities, but is able to cherish well preserved history.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Apr 2024

Manfred

Good hotel for a reasonable price.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2024

Guy

Intriguing time capsule from colonial era

Initially given room on ground floor without windows in bedroom, and only a frosted glass window in the bathroom. Not happy with room, were given a room upstairs which was much better. Vintage plumbing but fully functional, furniture all somewhat dated but everything clean. Fascinating faded colonial charm about establishment, interesting period photos on walls of lounge. Excellent buffet breakfast, helpful and friendly waiting staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2024

Kathryn

A very charming and lovely hotel with friendly and helpful staff. Reception arranged a walking tour for us which was excellent. The rooms are clean and a good size with vintage furniture both in the bedrooms and in the main areas. The air con is very efficient. We loved sitting on the first floor outside terrace. We ate in the outside restaurant both nights that we stayed, as it was a very pleasant environment with good reasonable food. Very good coffee and cakes. When we stayed they didn't have a liquor license which was a pity but we understand they hope to have one shortly as they have applied.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2024

Steven

Great place

Elgin Fairlawn is a beautiful historical landmark 1786. The staff are so friendly professional and polite. We eat at the restaurant every night that we stayed at the hotel. All of the food was very tasty and delicious, exceptionally the Chicken Manchow and Chicken hot and sour soup.

Partner

4/10

Poor

04 Feb 2024

Verified traveler

Avoid staying here

The property has weird rules of not allowing guests to rake pictures. Ended up paying extra to get a photography permit.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2024

Victor

The Fairlawn is an oasis in a busy part of Kolkata. Great service and amazing breakfast.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Dec 2023

Janice

Great atmosphere of old world charm. Big rooms, many lounge areas, restaurant ... but not bar to enjoy a g and t on the lovely balcony!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Aug 2023

Rosalie

I had a wonderful stay. Such a beautiful place.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2023

Kaustav

Great experience

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2023

Jennifer

Such a great a place! Highly recommended.
In addition the staff is amazing.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2023

Paul

It was full of old world charm, lots of history, fine dining and great service. I appreciated the good attitude and understanding of the staff. Just a great place to share with a whole host of others over the years.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Jan 2023

Pabitra

The property, specially the washroom, needs some renovation. However, this is overall an excellent heritage hotel.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2023

Derek

The Fairlawn is unique. Old style charm, and relaxed atmosphere. The best rooms are on the 1st floor, we had one for the first few days, there was even a small roof space to sit out. The recently open balcony is now a great place to sit as well. The bathrooms have to fit into an old building, so lack some of features of a new building. If you want a perfect bathroom, dont go to India. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, particularly the khow suey. My family had lived in Burmah and were familiar with this. The menu listed it as \"soup\", but when it came it was a tray with many small dishes to add to the noodles and pour over the delicious soup. It was fantastic meal. 2 days later we had it again and applauded the chef! I urge people to try it if you are nearby.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2022

Sanjiv

The property was situated in a convenient area to all the shops etc, the rooms are modern for a building of that age and well maintained. The property itself is a gem and is being maintained to keep its heritage.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

Great service

Business Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2020

Charles

A wonderful old colonial hotel with beautiful rooms, friendly staff and a unique atmospher

Friends_and_family Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

Staff was excellent & attentive. Property needs major upgrades in repairs to wall, ceilings etc. At one tim e it was a great Hotel, I am sure. But needs to upgrade . The manager at check in time was boorish& did not care to help much.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Heritage hotel with historical artifacts displayed
Old building, could improve in modernizing yet keeping the old

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

Such a wonderful place of character. Helpful staff. Great breakfasts.